by James Martin
HarperOne, San Francisco. 144 pages
James Martin is well known for bringing humor to the forefront of Christian practice. He appears frequently with Steven Colbert. He is not as well known for the depth of his spirituality and the wisdom that comes from his practice as a spiritual director. This small book, dedicated to “all who have ever felt confused, abandoned or alone” may remedy that. In this series of homilies on the traditional seven last words of Jesus that Martin delivered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, he displays both pastoral warmth and theological insight. Though he is convinced that “Jesus was a joyful person who brought joy to others,” Martin shows why the suffering of Jesus is critically important to our understanding of God. Put simply: His suffering enables Jesus to understand us. This is our strength and consolation. Each homily explores some aspect of this deep understanding. “We do not pray to a God who does not appreciate the difficulties of our lives. We do not have a God who looks down on us from on high and merely pities us, as a wealthy person might pass a homeless person on the street and say, ‘what a shame.’ ” This book is an invitation to know the God who understands us.
