Faith in Silence


Read a good book lately?  Well, it has been a long time for me. But I am currently subdued by a well known writer, Shūsaku Endō who captures trials, tribulations and triumphs of priestly persecutions during the 17th Century.  

The story backdrops into a Japanese missionary shift within its culture.  It is histrionic.

Not by outwardly vocal and participatory actions of the Catholic practice, but by underground secretive progressions of devotion and faith to serve God.  Endo takes his readers into a deeper meaning of fear, faith-development, and service to mankind in this powerful, short, but intriguing novel.

Comments

Post a Comment

I would like to hear your thoughts.

Popular posts from this blog

My Mother's Room

Image
   There is a room in my house that faces a new dawn each day.   It is located upstairs with a large window of hope, walls of charity, and furniture of past and present.   This once was a room of dialogue and debate but now a space of silence and thought.   An arrangement created out of sudden loss and later choreographed by time, this was my mother’s room that is now a Study.     After her husband’s death, my mother settled in with us and began to acclimate herself to new surroundings.  As you walked into her bedroom you immediately smelled a fusty odor that indicated age was present.  Classical music emanated from a radio that she kept on top of an old chest of drawers.  Noticeably, a long wooden back-scratcher was on the wall by the light switch.  It was cracked and so worn down that it seemed to be out of place among contemporary baseboards and hand crafted closet trim.  On the opposite wall was a Crucifix that reminded us of what we are.  Nearby was a family portrait that remind
Read more

Disgruntled Graduate?

Image
I remember the day I let go of my son's hand so that he could walk for the first time. He was eleven months.  It was nerve-racking to think he might fall, slip or bust a lip.  But instead, I let go so that he may cross the copious bedroom floor. And still, I peaked, stood suppressed around the corner to make sure that he did not fall. My son has graduated from various universities with credentials in intelligence, security, cyber studies, and analytics.  He is older now with larger hands.  And with the same practices I used when he was younger, I still use today.  Parents, avoid a disgruntled college graduate who resents a pre-set path by letting go of fears before your young adult walks across the collegiate stage.  Walking independently is to learning as decision making is to confidence. Both are growth factors that build a social code between child and parent.  It's based on mutual respect.  Throughout the sprouting moments of my son's relationship with me, I always en
Read more

From Disciple to Lay Apostle

Image
Is it impossible for Christians to be Lay Apostles?  Growing from being disciples of Christ toward being a Lay Apostle might seem lofty, but in fact, its a calling for all Christians. The Church teaches a lot on the subject using scripture and the Catechism of the Church, but my favorite is the Second Vatican Council's document Lumen Gentium .  But what about a simple visual? How would this teaching look in today's world?  Check out this short animated video which describes what it might look like:  This is Discipleship In the comments below, write how you feel when viewing the video.  Is this calling hard or easy? Be brief. 
Read more