Customer Reviews

The Gospel in Solentiname Vol 4

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I almost let this book stay on the shelf. What a mistake that would have been! I shall be reading it for years. It is the discussion by simple people of gospel passages. The "characters" in the gospel passages were simple people. We tend to forget that and in the process often miss the message. Here's what William had to say about the Our Father:
We pray to God for his name to be holy, and it's up to us to make his
name holy. We pray for his kingdom to come, and it's up to us to build
it. We pray that his will be done on earth, and it's up to us to do his
will. We pray to him for bread, and it's up to us to make it and share it
We pray to him for forgiveness, and it's up to us to forgive. We pray not
to fall into evil, and it's up to us to escape from it.
Ernesto Cardenal provides solid biblical scholarship to the discussion, and he weaves the comments together with sensitivity. He is, after all, a poet.

I am delighted to see this book back in print. The Gospel in Solentiname helps us re-read the Gospels through the eyes of Nicaraguan peasants. Their observations may come as a shock to those reading the same texts in a affluent suburban context. Rather than be dismissive or critical of these perceptions of the Gospel narratives, we should remember that Scripture was written from the perspective of the poor and the oppressed, and tells the story of a God who acts on their behalf. While liberation theology (like any theology) is not without its shortcomings, it is an important voice for the Church to hear. A wonderful new edition, containing wonderful art to go along with wonderful words.