Customer Reviews

Crossing the Jordan: Meditations on Vocation (Cloister Books)

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Sam Portaro writes as a chaplain at the University of Chicago. He discusses vocation - that which we are called to do in our lives. As one who is changing careers late in life, Partaro's message still rings true. He talks about being true to the essence of who we are - finding vocation which satisfies our need to be true to our inner being as opposed to finding vocation which satisfies criteria that are imposed by society at large. We do this by Crossing the Jordan - moving into territory that is other than what we know, other than where others' expectations place us. This is deeply challenging and deeply disturbing.

We do have a definite role model of one who crossed the Jordan in Jesus. Jesus moved away from life in a small rural village and away from family and friends. He was challenged by temptations yet remained true to his calling, even to the point of death. We are not necessarily called to death by our vocations, but we are called to our place on the cross - a place of chaos at the intersection of all we know and all we are called to. This is a true and difficult challenge which Portaro raises up for us to investigate and live into.

Although Crossing the Jordan is a small book, it is very well written and very thought provoking for those at a vocational crossroad in their lives.