The Tears of Things

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 words of the Hebrew prophets.

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 such 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 an important path forward today.

The prophets’ writings echo the 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 pain of the world. Yet, in their astute critiques of culture and institutions, and their movement from anger to lament and sadness, and finally compassion, the prophets embody what Rohr calls sacred criticism—a distinct approach to confronting evil and injustice that recognizes the wholeness of history and every living being. 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 millions to Rohr, The Tears of Things breathes new life into ancient wisdom and paves a path of enlightenment for anyone seeking a compassionate way of living in a hurting world.