Winter
Books Gods dazzling garden
By ARTHUR JONES
During a casual conversation
recently with Jesuit theologian Fr. Allan Figueroa Deck, he remarked that
Latino/Hispanic Christians build a lot of beauty into their religious life, not
least through decorations and flowers.
This Winter Books issue has as its theme: Gods dazzlingly
diverse garden.
Imagine reviewing a gardening catalogue for religious inspiration!
And yet, see Lorna Corpus Sullivans story of the Our Lady of Guadalupe
rose on the back page (plus her selection of gardening books). It made a lot of
sense.
Deck was correct, of course. The Sept. 11 assault on our country
and our senses requires antidotes. Beauty in a time of tragedy -- think
flowers. Solace and reflection -- think gardens, sanctuaries whose display is
governed by the seasons, not by the minute or the hour. Surely only
non-gardeners think trite what Dorothy Frances Gurney said about gardens:
The kiss of the sun for pardon, The song of the birds for
mirth -- One is nearer Gods heart in a garden Than anywhere else on
earth.
Those who love to sink their fingers into gardening humus, to
plant and prune, sow and reap (none of which appeals to me personally) nod
their heads in vigorous agreement. Admiring well-tended gardens, ah,
thats another matter. An old garden bench in the sun decorated by
lichens, nothing between oneself and God except the five senses all attuned to
ones surroundings: bliss.
To capture some of that, suited to every taste, see the center
spread (Pages 32-33) of photographs from monastic gardens.
This compilation of reviews touches on some of Gods garden
in America, and its most distinctive and diverse varieties: Asians and
African-Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans. (Theres a couple of
contrasting border plants: hospital chaplain Fr. Steve Ryans review of
Medical Care for the Soul, and Allison Pedrazzis review of The
Death of Vishnu.)
To return to the main topic -- Our Lady of Guadalupe, always
depicted surrounded by roses, is not a confection. She is identity. In Latin
American culture, she is surrounded by the people.
So, to complement Sullivans roses, we turned to
Torreón, Mexico. Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word Teresa Maya, a
specialist in Mexican colonial church history, is a school principal and
college professor there. On page 34, she examines five centuries of
The Guadalupes impact as she reviews Bradings
Mexican Phoenix.
You have the reviews in hand. All you need now is that sunny spot
and a comfy seat.
Arthur Jones is NCRs editor-at-large. His e-mail
address is ajones96@aol.com
National Catholic Reporter, October 26,
2001
|