Insane for the Light - by Ronald Rolheiser (Hardcover)

About the Book

"This work is a spiritual journey through life's final years and its "mellowing of souls"-the long-awaited conclusion of Father Rolheiser's trilogy of modern spiritual classics, following The Holy Longing and Sacred Fire"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A spiritual journey through life's final years and its "mellowing of souls"--the long-awaited conclusion of Father Rolheiser's trilogy of modern spiritual classics, following The Holy Longing and Sacred Fire

"Ronald Rolheiser is one of the great Christian spiritual writers of our time, as well as one of my own personal favorites."--James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage

Each phase of life presents us with its own unique opportunity to connect with God and to bless those around us--even and perhaps especially in those later decades when careers, raising kids, and mortgage payments are behind us. So argues beloved author Ronald Rolheiser. During life's first years, we embark on a search for meaning and discover in ourselves a profound, unquenchable thirst for the Divine. And when we reach adulthood, we realize that we are called to give our lives away―to our spouses, children, careers, friends, and neighbors in need. But in the end, we must learn to let it all go.

In this highly anticipated conclusion to Father Rolheiser's spiritual classics, The Holy Longing and Sacred Fire, and with characteristic attentiveness and care, Rolheiser accompanies readers on a spiritual journey through life's final years and the mellowing of our souls. In these years, bitterness can give way to forgiveness, mere imagination to profound and subtle faith, wishful optimism to virtuous hope, and control to surrender. Readers will learn to see in Jesus a model for a spirituality of holy passivity rather than activity and find in him the courage to overcome the darkest nights of faith.

Drawing on the work of John of the Cross and Henri Nouwen, Rolheiser outlines a spirituality capable of giving away one's death―and by that a spirituality of truly living.

Review Quotes

Praise for Insane for the Light

"I'd like to make this book required reading for all my aging friends. Drawing on the wisdom of writers ranging from Augustine to Mother Teresa to Richard Rohr, as well as on his own considerable wisdom, Fr. Ron offers exhilarating, deeply hopeful, theologically informed perspectives on aging. The voice we hear in this book is that of a compassionate pastor and companion on the journey. It's an invitation to age consciously with curiosity and an open heart."--Marilyn McEntyre, author of Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies and Word by Word

Praise for Ronald Rolheiser

"Ronald Rolheiser is one of the great Christian spiritual writers of our time, as well as one of my own personal favorites."--James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage

"When Ron Rolheiser writes, it is clear, compelling, and challenging, plus it is about issues that matter to the soul."--Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico

"A master weaver is at work here."--Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking

"Rolheiser dares to ask the hard questions, but they are our questions--the deep ones we are slow to let surface. Then he dares to answer them with clear answers delivered in simple, straightforward language."--Rev. Basil Pennington, OCSO

"[Rolheiser] writes clearly and engagingly; his language can at times be lyrical. He is never sentimental--and all the time he is absolutely grounded in reality."--Herbert O'Driscoll, author of A Doorway in Time

About the Author

Ronald Rolheiser is a specialist in the fields of spirituality and systematic theology. He is president emeritus of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, and a professor of spirituality there. His books, notably The Restless Heart, The Holy Longing, and Sacred Fire, are popular throughout the English-speaking world and have now been translated into many languages. His weekly column is carried by more than eighty newspapers worldwide.