The Tears of Things - by Richard Rohr (Hardcover)

About the Book

"How do we live compassionately in a time of violence and despair? What can we do with our private disappointments and the anger we feel over an unjust world? In his most personal book yet, Richard Rohr turns to the writings of the Jewish prophets, showing how some of the lesser-read books of the Bible offer us a path forward today. The prophets' writings echo the spectrum of human development. Beneath their initial fervor and their forceful words, there lies a profound lamentation about our shared human condition and the pain of the world. Yet, in their astute critiques of culture and institutions, and their movement from anger and lament to wholeness and hope, the prophets embody what Rohr calls holy disorder-a distinct approach to confronting malevolence and recognizing the wholeness of every living being. Drawing on a century of Biblical scholarship and written in the warm, pastoral voice that has endeared millions to Rohr, The Tears of Things breathes new life into ancient wisdom and paves a path of enlightenment for anyone seeking a wholehearted way of living in a hurting world"--

Book Synopsis

In his first major work since The Universal Christ, one of our most prominent spiritual voices offers a wholehearted and hope-filled model for the world today, grounded in the timeless wisdom of the Hebrew prophets.

"Richard Rohr is one of the great Christian spiritual masters of our time. Of any time."--James Martin, SJ, author of Come Forth

How do we live compassionately in a time of violence and despair? What can we do with our private disappointments and the anger we feel in such an unjust world? In his most personal book yet, Richard Rohr turns to the writings of the Jewish prophets, revealing how some of the lesser-read books of the Bible offer us a crucial path forward today.

The prophets' writings reflect the full spectrum of human maturity. In almost every case, their initial rage and their accusatory words evolve into a profound pathos and lamentation about our shared human condition and the world's suffering. Through astute critiques of culture and institutions, and their journey from anger to sadness, and ultimately compassion, the prophets exemplify what Rohr calls "sacred criticism"--a distinct approach to confronting evil and injustice that acknowledges the wholeness of history, the interconnectedness of every living being, and the reality of a divine and universal love. In this, they set the stage for Jesus, who follows this identical pattern.

Drawing on a century of biblical scholarship and written in the warm, pastoral voice that has endeared Rohr to millions, The Tears of Things breathes new life into ancient wisdom. It paves a path of enlightenment for anyone seeking a compassionate way of living in a hurting world.

Review Quotes

"Richard Rohr is one of the great Christian spiritual masters of our time. Of any time. He is the kind of thinker that not only changes minds and hearts, but changes lives."--James Martin, SJ, author of Come Forth

"Richard Rohr brings to his study his long, discerning reflection, his immense pastoral sensibility, and his capacity for close reading. His book is a welcome entry point for us into an urgent biblical trajectory."--Walter Brueggemann, author of The Prophetic Imagination

"In this luminous book, Richard Rohr synthesizes action and contemplation with greater passion and courage than ever before. By retelling the stories of the biblical prophets, he calls upon us all to speak truth in our own times and to speak it with love."--Mirabai Starr, author of Wild Mercy

"In a world that can feel like a house on fire, Richard Rohr's The Tears of Things is a much-needed road map to wisdom and higher--more hopeful--ground."--Pete Holmes, comedian, host of You Made It Weird

"Richard Rohr brings the voices of the biblical prophets to life, offering a timely and transformative message about the pain and beauty of our shared humanity. This book is a beacon of light for anyone seeking solace and understanding in uncertain times."--Kirsten Powers, author of Saving Grace

"Another shining gift from one of our greatest Christian teachers . . . Fr. Richard Rohr has been such an inspiration to so many of us."--Brian D. McLaren, author of Life After Doom

"In these insightful and beautifully written reflections, Richard Rohr explores the teachings of the prophets, helping us discover how deeply God loves us in the midst of our hurtful and misguided ways."--James Finley, psychologist and author of The Healing Path

"Fr. Richard Rohr invites us into a relationship with sadness as the path to knowing how actively God works with us. If we stop being absorbed in our personal dramas, if we fearlessly open to the human condition, we discover the boundlessness of the human heart--compassion not only for people, but for how we continue to create our own suffering."--Margaret Wheatley, author of Restoring Sanity

"Richard Rohr offers a path forward beyond dying religions and moribund civilizations, one that marries mysticism and prophecy. Reminding us that evil flourishes best when it is denied, he credits the prophets for having started the move from religion to spirituality that is beckoning us today. Rohr has saved his best book for the last."--Matthew Fox, Episcopal priest and author of Original Blessing

About the Author

Richard Rohr is a globally recognized Franciscan friar and ecumenical teacher whose work bears witness to the deep wisdom of Christian mysticism. He is the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, an educational nonprofit dedicated to introducing seekers to the contemplative Christian path of transformation. Rohr is the author of numerous books, including the New York Times bestseller The Universal Christ. His work has been featured on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday and On Being with Krista Tippett, and in The New Yorker and Harper's magazine.