Through this selection from his many books, journals, poems, and homilies, a chronicle of Fr. Berrigan's life and work unfolds from the early steps in his vocation, to his decision to cross the line and go to prison, his ongoing witness for peace, and his extraordinary commentaries on scripture and the life of radical discipleship.
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“ Finally, seat yourself across a table from the aforementioned friend in order to discuss both your shared and unshared thoughts about the book. ”
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
ESSENTIAL READING IN TIS SEASON OF PEACE AND THESE TIMES OF CONSTANT WAR
November 16, 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
You might ask, well, gee, I already have Testimony: The Word Made Fresh, a collection of writings from the Reverend Father Daniel Berrigan SJ gathered by this same prolific writer for Peace and Nonviolence, and activist for Peace, with Nonviolence, the Reverend Father and brother Jesuit John Dear, long friend of Father Berrigan, published by the same great Roman Catholic publishing house Orbis Books, and you might ask, do I really need to get this one, too?
This book answers, well, yes, you really do. I have both, but I need all the help I can get.
This collection includes much previously unedited and unpublished material for the first time, as instructive and strengthening and edifying for us now as then. It is published within the Orbis Modern Spiritual Masters Series, which includes Pope John XXIII: Essential Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters), St. Therese of Lisieux: Essential Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series), and several other saints, as well Mohandas Gandhi: Essential Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series) edited and introduced by this same editor, the Reverend Father John Dear SJ.
This collection therefore gathers for the first time in print several essential writings from Father Berrigan. The editor notes on page 35: "For these essential writings, I gathered some of Daniel Berrigan's classic texts from bestsellers like No Bars to Manhood: A Powerful, Personal Statement on Radical Confrontation with Contemporary Society (Daniel Berrigan Reprint) and To Dwell in Peace: An Autobiography (Daniel Berrigan Reprint) as well as The Trial of the Catonsville Nine and The Dark Night of Resistance (Daniel Berrigan Reprint), sprinkled his poems throughout, and concluded with excerpts from his several recent scripture commentaries, the major work of his last twenty years. Several selections are published here for the first time, such as his homily at the memorial Mass for Roger LaPorte, remarks that led to his exile in Latin America (p. 35)."
This editor's summation perhaps adequately if humbly presents the contents of this book, while leaving out many specifics.
The book opens with an excellent timeline of the long and still productive life of the Rev. Fr. Dan Berrigan up to the present moment, with the recent publication of No Gods but One: Deuteronomy, the latest of his several exegetical works on the Old Testament prophets and books. I have received that book through amazon, and have put off reviewing it, as I have been reading it slowly, carefully, as lectio divina, as hermeneutic for our age of warfare and of hunger. Although mentioned in the time line, I cannot find an excerpt from it here in this Essential collection, although I am discovering it gratefully some of the clearest and most direct and essential writing from Father Berrigan, and I highly recommend beginning your reading of this great priest and peacemaker (the essential function of every priest) with it.
Father Dear's Introduction, entitled simply "Daniel Berrigan - Poet, Prophet and Peacemaker," is in ipse an excellent analytical biography of this modern spiritual master and voice of peacemaking.
There is perhaps no one better prepared to create this collection of Essential Writings than Father John Dear SJ. He has mastered the format and its mission through his earlier offerings in this Modern Spiritual Masters Series. He has none and worked intimately with the Berrigans for decades, and has prayed as brother Jesuit with the Reverend Father Daniel Berrigan repeatedly, even constantly. Reading his autobiography, A Persistent Peace: One Man's Struggle for a Nonviolent World, we discover how very much Father Berrigan inspired and motivated Father Dear in hearing and fulfilling his priestly vocation to peacemaking and crying prophetically for justice. We may read with confidence therefore this collection, knowing we receive here the essential, while whetting the spiritual appetite to read much more of both. Such a pursuit is well rewarded.
We may also, for example, read eagerly and repeatedly the exegetical works of Father Berrigan, such as Jeremiah, Job: And Death No Dominion, Isaiah: Spirit of Courage, Gift of Tears, and especially for these times of insane war, The Kings and Their Gods: The Pathology of Power.
Read this book. It is Essential. It essential we read them all, as lectio divina from our great modern Spiritual master and powerful prophet of God's peace, and that we act, courageously, for peace.
This book answers, well, yes, you really do. I have both, but I need all the help I can get.
This collection includes much previously unedited and unpublished material for the first time, as instructive and strengthening and edifying for us now as then. It is published within the Orbis Modern Spiritual Masters Series, which includes Pope John XXIII: Essential Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters), St. Therese of Lisieux: Essential Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series), and several other saints, as well Mohandas Gandhi: Essential Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters Series) edited and introduced by this same editor, the Reverend Father John Dear SJ.
This collection therefore gathers for the first time in print several essential writings from Father Berrigan. The editor notes on page 35: "For these essential writings, I gathered some of Daniel Berrigan's classic texts from bestsellers like No Bars to Manhood: A Powerful, Personal Statement on Radical Confrontation with Contemporary Society (Daniel Berrigan Reprint) and To Dwell in Peace: An Autobiography (Daniel Berrigan Reprint) as well as The Trial of the Catonsville Nine and The Dark Night of Resistance (Daniel Berrigan Reprint), sprinkled his poems throughout, and concluded with excerpts from his several recent scripture commentaries, the major work of his last twenty years. Several selections are published here for the first time, such as his homily at the memorial Mass for Roger LaPorte, remarks that led to his exile in Latin America (p. 35)."
This editor's summation perhaps adequately if humbly presents the contents of this book, while leaving out many specifics.
The book opens with an excellent timeline of the long and still productive life of the Rev. Fr. Dan Berrigan up to the present moment, with the recent publication of No Gods but One: Deuteronomy, the latest of his several exegetical works on the Old Testament prophets and books. I have received that book through amazon, and have put off reviewing it, as I have been reading it slowly, carefully, as lectio divina, as hermeneutic for our age of warfare and of hunger. Although mentioned in the time line, I cannot find an excerpt from it here in this Essential collection, although I am discovering it gratefully some of the clearest and most direct and essential writing from Father Berrigan, and I highly recommend beginning your reading of this great priest and peacemaker (the essential function of every priest) with it.
Father Dear's Introduction, entitled simply "Daniel Berrigan - Poet, Prophet and Peacemaker," is in ipse an excellent analytical biography of this modern spiritual master and voice of peacemaking.
There is perhaps no one better prepared to create this collection of Essential Writings than Father John Dear SJ. He has mastered the format and its mission through his earlier offerings in this Modern Spiritual Masters Series. He has none and worked intimately with the Berrigans for decades, and has prayed as brother Jesuit with the Reverend Father Daniel Berrigan repeatedly, even constantly. Reading his autobiography, A Persistent Peace: One Man's Struggle for a Nonviolent World, we discover how very much Father Berrigan inspired and motivated Father Dear in hearing and fulfilling his priestly vocation to peacemaking and crying prophetically for justice. We may read with confidence therefore this collection, knowing we receive here the essential, while whetting the spiritual appetite to read much more of both. Such a pursuit is well rewarded.
We may also, for example, read eagerly and repeatedly the exegetical works of Father Berrigan, such as Jeremiah, Job: And Death No Dominion, Isaiah: Spirit of Courage, Gift of Tears, and especially for these times of insane war, The Kings and Their Gods: The Pathology of Power.
Read this book. It is Essential. It essential we read them all, as lectio divina from our great modern Spiritual master and powerful prophet of God's peace, and that we act, courageously, for peace.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I just received a copy of Daniel Berrigan: Essential Writings which was edited by John Dear. One section of John Dear's brilliant introduction and tribute to Dan brings me to thoughts of Advent and Isaiah. Like Isaiah (Is. 30:19-21; 23-26), Dan calls us to hope. Dear writes:
Reading and hearing his poems confronts, inspires, uplifts and heals. They offer hope to those struggling with cultural despair. That to me is the best clue to his poetry. Dan invites us to hope. He insists on hope. Despite all. And he can do this because he himself essentially hopeful. He keeps a long haul view toward the resurrection. (28)
All of Dan's writing confronts and inspires. I had the opportunity to attend a retreat with Dan and his sister-in-law, Liz McAllister several years after I attended a retreat with John Dear. In his early 80s then, I found Dan to be a gentle, humble giant. (As I write, a gentle snow is falling in our mountains--gentle like Dan.)
As Dear explains, Dan's activism is firmly grounded in his spirituality which includes daily immersion in the Scriptures. Conforming his life to Jesus' life enables Dan to be gentle and yet ever so strong and forceful when injustice must be confronted.
John, Dan, and Liz have had a big influence on me. Had I not met them and Emmanuel Charles McCarthy I would not now be a peace activist. I look forward to savoring the selections included in the book.
Like Isaiah, Dan and John can envision a day when the People of God will weep no more. Advent is hope. We know that God is merciful. God will hear us. God will give us bread and water. God walks with us through the valley of darkness and death. God is ever at our side.
"God will heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds." Daniel Berrigan reminds us that "a prophet is nothing more than a `truth teller who says it and pays up.'" (30) When we live the Gospel and conform our lives to the nonviolent life of Jesus the Christ, we will be wounded. But, we know that God will bind up our wounds so we can carry on the God's work. Dan's piece of advice to a young John Dear was, "Make your story fit the story of Jesus." (33) Embrace love, "Love your enemies and pray for your persecuters" and embrace nonviolence, "Put away your swords."
Like Jesus, our guts are wrenched when we observe misery and suffering. We are moved to pity. We are moved to action. We are Jesus to our small part of the world.
I am involved in healing ministry. I know the healing power of Jesus. I have experienced deep healing. I know that, in spite of our reluctance and doubts, we can claim the healing power which Jesus gave to the Twelve. We live in the person, power and presence of the Risen Jesus. We are Jesus! We can raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons.
Demons in Jesus' day were a way of saying that Empire--structural violence incarnate--makes us sick. When we cannot challenge empire, we take on its demons. When Jesus cast out demons, he was casting out legion (divisions in empire's army).
Our healing is not restricted to healing the infirmities of individuals. We live in relationship. We live in society. The structural violence in our society makes us ill and dysfunctional. We are diseased by our violent society and culture. Like Dan and John and the Cloud of Witnesses surrounding them, we must challenge the structural violence that causes human misery.
We can give to the annual diocesan appeals and our money will help alleviate misery and suffering at least for a while. We are giving bread to the poor. Dom Helder Camera tells us that we must then ask, "Why are they poor? Why are they in misery?" Then, like him, we will be labeled Communist, socialist, or something equivalent. Dan's lifelong witness (He is now 88) teaches us how to fit our stories to the story of Jesus. Dan teaches us how to ask the tough questions gently.
I highly recommend this treasure trove of Berrigan's writings which the editor has put in chronological order.
Reading and hearing his poems confronts, inspires, uplifts and heals. They offer hope to those struggling with cultural despair. That to me is the best clue to his poetry. Dan invites us to hope. He insists on hope. Despite all. And he can do this because he himself essentially hopeful. He keeps a long haul view toward the resurrection. (28)
All of Dan's writing confronts and inspires. I had the opportunity to attend a retreat with Dan and his sister-in-law, Liz McAllister several years after I attended a retreat with John Dear. In his early 80s then, I found Dan to be a gentle, humble giant. (As I write, a gentle snow is falling in our mountains--gentle like Dan.)
As Dear explains, Dan's activism is firmly grounded in his spirituality which includes daily immersion in the Scriptures. Conforming his life to Jesus' life enables Dan to be gentle and yet ever so strong and forceful when injustice must be confronted.
John, Dan, and Liz have had a big influence on me. Had I not met them and Emmanuel Charles McCarthy I would not now be a peace activist. I look forward to savoring the selections included in the book.
Like Isaiah, Dan and John can envision a day when the People of God will weep no more. Advent is hope. We know that God is merciful. God will hear us. God will give us bread and water. God walks with us through the valley of darkness and death. God is ever at our side.
"God will heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds." Daniel Berrigan reminds us that "a prophet is nothing more than a `truth teller who says it and pays up.'" (30) When we live the Gospel and conform our lives to the nonviolent life of Jesus the Christ, we will be wounded. But, we know that God will bind up our wounds so we can carry on the God's work. Dan's piece of advice to a young John Dear was, "Make your story fit the story of Jesus." (33) Embrace love, "Love your enemies and pray for your persecuters" and embrace nonviolence, "Put away your swords."
Like Jesus, our guts are wrenched when we observe misery and suffering. We are moved to pity. We are moved to action. We are Jesus to our small part of the world.
I am involved in healing ministry. I know the healing power of Jesus. I have experienced deep healing. I know that, in spite of our reluctance and doubts, we can claim the healing power which Jesus gave to the Twelve. We live in the person, power and presence of the Risen Jesus. We are Jesus! We can raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons.
Demons in Jesus' day were a way of saying that Empire--structural violence incarnate--makes us sick. When we cannot challenge empire, we take on its demons. When Jesus cast out demons, he was casting out legion (divisions in empire's army).
Our healing is not restricted to healing the infirmities of individuals. We live in relationship. We live in society. The structural violence in our society makes us ill and dysfunctional. We are diseased by our violent society and culture. Like Dan and John and the Cloud of Witnesses surrounding them, we must challenge the structural violence that causes human misery.
We can give to the annual diocesan appeals and our money will help alleviate misery and suffering at least for a while. We are giving bread to the poor. Dom Helder Camera tells us that we must then ask, "Why are they poor? Why are they in misery?" Then, like him, we will be labeled Communist, socialist, or something equivalent. Dan's lifelong witness (He is now 88) teaches us how to fit our stories to the story of Jesus. Dan teaches us how to ask the tough questions gently.
I highly recommend this treasure trove of Berrigan's writings which the editor has put in chronological order.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
My parents are of the age that the name Daniel Berrigan conjures unpleasant facial expressions and memories of his more famous exploits in protest of the Vietnam War. I came upon this book (and, truthfully, on Berrigan's life and story) after reading Shane Clayborne's "Irresistible Revolution." While Clayborne and Berrigan are two very different people, they both, in a sense, push the boundaries of Christianity's cultural relationship with the American public, if that makes sense.
Regardless, this book was a fascinating read. Long chapters of prose reflections and narrative are bookended by beautiful poetry. While the story inside the book is quasi-linear, the ideas bounce around quite a bit, carpet bombing the reader with Berrigan's convictions. This is not a biography, but it's not meant to be.
This book moved me. It made me think and reflect on my faith in ways that few books about faith have managed to do. Whether or not you agree with Berrigan's tactics and history of resistance, I would think it hard not be moved to, at the very least, reflect on one's own beliefs about the relationship between faith and culture, faith and violence, faith and resistance.
My suggestion: read the book cover to cover. Then, give the book to a friend, who will then also read the book cover to cover. Finally, seat yourself across a table from the aforementioned friend in order to discuss both your shared and unshared thoughts about the book. Reach deep inside yourself and really question what you think and what you would and should do in the midst of wars and social upheaval. You won't be disappointed.
Regardless, this book was a fascinating read. Long chapters of prose reflections and narrative are bookended by beautiful poetry. While the story inside the book is quasi-linear, the ideas bounce around quite a bit, carpet bombing the reader with Berrigan's convictions. This is not a biography, but it's not meant to be.
This book moved me. It made me think and reflect on my faith in ways that few books about faith have managed to do. Whether or not you agree with Berrigan's tactics and history of resistance, I would think it hard not be moved to, at the very least, reflect on one's own beliefs about the relationship between faith and culture, faith and violence, faith and resistance.
My suggestion: read the book cover to cover. Then, give the book to a friend, who will then also read the book cover to cover. Finally, seat yourself across a table from the aforementioned friend in order to discuss both your shared and unshared thoughts about the book. Reach deep inside yourself and really question what you think and what you would and should do in the midst of wars and social upheaval. You won't be disappointed.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
I Love Him!
I met him once or twice in the 60's/early 70's when we were protesting what we are, alas, still protesting because we seem not to learn. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Maryanne Schrank
5.0 out of 5 stars
putting a strong pen where one's beliefs are
It was interesting to me to see what another person picked out as Berrigan's essential writings. I might have picked out others. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Margaret Shield
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