“Jesus wept” is the shortest sentence in the Christian scripture (New Testament). I entered a church for the first time in my life at age 34. I thought I’d check out this Bible thing as well. When I got to “Jesus wept” - I wept. Being the youngest son in a very dysfunctional, career military officer family, and having been named after Four Star General then President Dwight Eisenhower - we didn’t do much weeping in our family. It could be dangerous. I also learned at 34 that not weeping was more dangerous. To avoid weeping is, in many ways, to avoid empathy, compassion, and humility. Weeping is a portal on the other side of which is… (you tell me). Same, it turns out, is true of loneliness. Hence, my most recent book, “The Gospel of Loneliness”. I too am a student of Richard Rohr. Thanks for opening this door for us. Peace, Rev. Dwight Lee Wolter.
I am an agnostic raised in (and departed from) a conservative Christian church who has long sworn off most things Christianity. But I have always loved Richard Rohr and this makes me love him and his work even more. If only more people approached faith with the kind of thoughtfulness and tenderness he does.
I was lucky enough to see and hear Richard Rohr preach at New Jerusalem community in Cincinnati. I wasn't part of that communities inner circle, just a Charismatic Catholic who worshipped once a week with a crowd of people just like me. I lost track of RR over many years but got reacquainted this year. I'm catching up on everything he's written over the last 30-40 years. Videos on YouTube are a Godsend.
What an actual blessing of a writer/thinker/soul Richard Rohr is!! This concept is true medicine for the world at present - thank you for sharing Kaitlin 💜
As someone who worked in the legal system too, I definitely agree with you that a lot of anger stems from deep pain and suffering, and that we far too often rely on anger and violence - at an individual and societal level - to address pain. I really appreciated the words about the prophets as well. Miigwetch for sharing!
His new book was incredibly healing for me. I’m hoping to offer some space for conversation here on Substack around it soon. Perhaps we should join forces…
There is something so right about a world where you & Richard Rohr are in conversation and I get to listen in - from my kitchen table on a Monday morning. Thank you, Kaitlin!
Thank you for sharing. I am also presently reading Fr Rohr’s book. I love his work and yours as well. It was a gift to find your post with a picture of the two of you together.
OH MY GOSH! I’m so jealous that you have met and worked with Richard Rohr!! He is most certainly one of my mentors and has shaped much of my current belief system and spiritual practice (unbeknownst to him). Thank you so much for sharing this!
My favorite thought about liminality I learned from a counsellor I saw for 5 years at Catholic Social Services. He recommended a hefty volume. I remember the size (about 3 inches thick) and it had a yellow book jacket. I can't remember the title. The author talked extensively about Liminality. I remember it daily around sunset when there are no shadows and color is drained out of the grass and trees. It is a time of stillness and shallow breathing. An in-between time. Waiting for newness. Expectant waiting. A time of humility. I hope we liminalists become an of army of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness to fly in the face of Lies, Ugliness, and Cruelty. I want to be ready for that when I'm called.
“Jesus wept” is the shortest sentence in the Christian scripture (New Testament). I entered a church for the first time in my life at age 34. I thought I’d check out this Bible thing as well. When I got to “Jesus wept” - I wept. Being the youngest son in a very dysfunctional, career military officer family, and having been named after Four Star General then President Dwight Eisenhower - we didn’t do much weeping in our family. It could be dangerous. I also learned at 34 that not weeping was more dangerous. To avoid weeping is, in many ways, to avoid empathy, compassion, and humility. Weeping is a portal on the other side of which is… (you tell me). Same, it turns out, is true of loneliness. Hence, my most recent book, “The Gospel of Loneliness”. I too am a student of Richard Rohr. Thanks for opening this door for us. Peace, Rev. Dwight Lee Wolter.
I am an agnostic raised in (and departed from) a conservative Christian church who has long sworn off most things Christianity. But I have always loved Richard Rohr and this makes me love him and his work even more. If only more people approached faith with the kind of thoughtfulness and tenderness he does.
I was lucky enough to see and hear Richard Rohr preach at New Jerusalem community in Cincinnati. I wasn't part of that communities inner circle, just a Charismatic Catholic who worshipped once a week with a crowd of people just like me. I lost track of RR over many years but got reacquainted this year. I'm catching up on everything he's written over the last 30-40 years. Videos on YouTube are a Godsend.
What an actual blessing of a writer/thinker/soul Richard Rohr is!! This concept is true medicine for the world at present - thank you for sharing Kaitlin 💜
As someone who worked in the legal system too, I definitely agree with you that a lot of anger stems from deep pain and suffering, and that we far too often rely on anger and violence - at an individual and societal level - to address pain. I really appreciated the words about the prophets as well. Miigwetch for sharing!
His new book was incredibly healing for me. I’m hoping to offer some space for conversation here on Substack around it soon. Perhaps we should join forces…
Yesss I would love that ♥️♥️
So beautifully said Kaitlin. Thank you.
There is something so right about a world where you & Richard Rohr are in conversation and I get to listen in - from my kitchen table on a Monday morning. Thank you, Kaitlin!
Thank you for sharing. I am also presently reading Fr Rohr’s book. I love his work and yours as well. It was a gift to find your post with a picture of the two of you together.
OH MY GOSH! I’m so jealous that you have met and worked with Richard Rohr!! He is most certainly one of my mentors and has shaped much of my current belief system and spiritual practice (unbeknownst to him). Thank you so much for sharing this!
Thank you for sharing the words of Richard Rohr. Truly someone to further explore.
My favorite thought about liminality I learned from a counsellor I saw for 5 years at Catholic Social Services. He recommended a hefty volume. I remember the size (about 3 inches thick) and it had a yellow book jacket. I can't remember the title. The author talked extensively about Liminality. I remember it daily around sunset when there are no shadows and color is drained out of the grass and trees. It is a time of stillness and shallow breathing. An in-between time. Waiting for newness. Expectant waiting. A time of humility. I hope we liminalists become an of army of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness to fly in the face of Lies, Ugliness, and Cruelty. I want to be ready for that when I'm called.
Thank you for this.
https://orangedogdiary.substack.com
Thank you. This is gorgeous and stopped me in my tracks today.
So, so beautiful. Grateful this was shared.