The Reed of God: A New Edition of a Spiritual Classic
4.5/5
()
About this ebook
First published in 1944 and now a spiritual classic for Catholics across the globe, The Reed of God contains meditations on the humanity of Mary, Mother of God. British Catholic writer and artist Caryll Houselander lovingly explores Mary’s intimately human side, depicting Our Lady as a musical instrument who makes divine love known to the world. This refreshed edition is rich and rewarding reading for all Christians who wonder what Mary was really like.
While the Second Vatican Council led to a renewed interest in the theology and person of Mary, Caryll Houselander offered a simple yet profound reflection on the Mother of God almost fifteen years before the council began.
Confronting the static, surreal “Madonna of the Christmas card,” Houselander provides instead an intuitive, warmly human, and approachable image of the Mother of God. Through the central image of a reed that is played for music, Houselander demonstrates how Mary chose to make herself an instrument for the divine plan, giving her inmost being to the proclamation of God’s greatness. In sharing her distinctive vision of Mary, Houselander offers the Mother of God as a model for all people seeking to be instruments of the Divine.
The essays and poems in The Reed of God also reflect on the mysteries of Mary’s life and her impact on salvation history. In the book’s four parts, Houselander explores key events of Mary’s life, including her fiat, finding Jesus in the Temple, and the Assumption, as well as the themes of fruitful emptiness and the eternal search for union with God.
Read more from Caryll Houselander
A Rocking-Horse Catholic Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Way of the Cross Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Christ in Our Midst: Wisdom from Caryll Houselander Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Passion of the Infant Christ: Critical Edition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related to The Reed of God
Related ebooks
Diary of a Country Carmelite: A Year in the Garden of Carmel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOpen Wide My Heart: A Journal of a Prayer Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsReflections during Advent: Dorothy Day on Prayer, Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of the Little Flower Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Night's Bright Darkness: A Modern Conversion Story Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Way of Perfection Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Time of Renewal: Daily Reflections for the Lenten Season Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Thérèse Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story of a Soul: A New Translation Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Heart of Perfection: How the Saints Taught Me to Trade My Dream of Perfect for God's Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Into Your Hands, Father: Abandoning Ourselves to the God Who Loves Us Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Divine Intimacy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pray for Us: 75 Saints Who Sinned, Suffered, and Struggled on Their Way to Holiness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved as I Am: An Invitation to Conversion, Healing, and Freedom through Jesus Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Behold: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Simply Surrender: 30 Days with Thérèse of Lisieux Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Secrets of the Sacred Heart: Twelve Ways to Claim Jesus' Promises in Your Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Way of the Cross with St. Francis of Assisi Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Meditations on Mary, Our Mother Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Divine Mercy in My Soul Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Adore: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Siena Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsArchbishop Fulton Sheen's Saint Therese: A Treasured Love Story Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Mary in the Bible and in Our Lives Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOur Not-Quite-Holy Family: A Practical Guide for Catholic Parents Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBread That Is Broken Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena: A Conversation with God on Living Your Spiritual Life to the Fullest Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Word is Very Near You Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWe Are Beloved: 30 Days with Thea Bowman Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Christianity For You
The Holy Bible (World English Bible, Easy Navigation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Porn Trap: The Essential Guide to Overcoming Problems Caused by Pornography Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Love in the Void: Where God Finds Us Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5KJV, Reference Bible: Holy Bible, King James Version Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The God Delusion Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wise Thoughts for Every Day: On God, Love, the Human Spirit, and Living a Good Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Pray Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Till We Have Faces Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion with No Name Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5101 Questions to Ask Before You Get Engaged Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Speak French for Kids | A Children's Learn French Books Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Summary of The Wim Hof Method: by Wim Hof - Activate Your Full Human Potential - A Comprehensive Summary Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5101 Questions You Need to Ask in Your Twenties: (And Let's Be Honest, Your Thirties Too) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5You Shall Be as Gods: A Radical Interpretation of the Old Testament and Its Tradition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Games People Play Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGirl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Reviews for The Reed of God
8 ratings1 review
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It has dated imagery and use of male female stereotypes but don't let that stop you reading this gem. It has deeply insightful and meaningful reflections on Mary as a real woman of her time and how that related to us, men and women being bearers of God in our world today. Written against the backdrop of WWII, there are helpful parallels to draw with the complexity of our pandemic and environmental crises of today.
A joy to read and ponder3 people found this helpful