(Sunrise in Ormond Beach, FL- 2004)Another snippet from Barbara Brown Taylor's An Altar in the World:
"Reverence stands in awe of something-- something that dwarfs the
self, that allows human beings to sense the full extent of our limits--
so that we can begin to see one another more reverently as well.
An irreverent soul who is unable to feel awe in the presence of things
higher than the self is also unable to feel respect in the presence of
things it sees as lower than the self, Woodruff says. This raises real
questions about leaders, especially religious leaders, who cite
reverence for what is good as their warrant for proclaiming whole
populations of people evil."
"Reverence stands in awe of something-- something that dwarfs the
self, that allows human beings to sense the full extent of our limits--
so that we can begin to see one another more reverently as well.
An irreverent soul who is unable to feel awe in the presence of things
higher than the self is also unable to feel respect in the presence of
things it sees as lower than the self, Woodruff says. This raises real
questions about leaders, especially religious leaders, who cite
reverence for what is good as their warrant for proclaiming whole
populations of people evil."
7 grace-filled voices:
Hi, Jayne. Just catching up on my blog reading. We've had visitors for the past several days and expect more soon!
I haven't bought many books lately, but I definitely plan to get this one. I loved her book Leaving Church---so thought provoking. And so, it would seem, is this one from the wonderful quotes you've shared.
Good luck on your garden. With all your hard work and determination, I'm sure it will be beautiful in the end. I do like the plans (and plants) your landscaper proposed.
By the way, that is a lovely sunrise photograph.
I'm a big fan of reverence, in spite of my tendency to be irreverent about some things. But the photograph is unmistakably awe-inspiring!
Wonderful Quote! I can't wait til my copy gets here. Thanks again for sharing this awesome author.
That is some sunset. Who couldn't love that.
Thank you very much for visiting my birds blog and for the comment you left me there.
My Birds Blog
Sadly, she is right.
Jayne, I really like Barbara Brown Taylor--and have read several of her books. I may need to get this new one!!!
It's not just religious leaders I worry about... The leaders of our country scare me to death --since they are so greedy and only in it for themselves and their futures. Wonder if they have read this book????? They need to!!!!
Beautiful photo.
Hugs,
Betsy
Jayne, This must be a very thoughtful book. Thanks for the excerpt.
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