John Shea is a theologian and storyteller who speaks nationally on scripture and spirituality. He is the author of many books including Gospel Light. This paperback is part of the Catholic Spirituality for Adults Series from Orbis Books and RCL Benziger.
Shea sees two trajectories in the Gospels: Jesus' saving power and identity and what happens to his followers. A major challenge to believers is the disconnect between their spiritual relationship with God and their actions in the world. The author is convinced that the dual consciousness of the spiritual and the social must be cultivated by anyone following Jesus. Love of God and love of neighbor go together.
Early in the book, Shea asks: "Does Jesus walk too fast for ordinary mortals? Is he someone who should be worshipped but not followed?" It is certainly easier to put the man from Nazareth on a pedestal than it is to be a Good Samaritan to our injured neighbor, live out the Lord's Prayer day by day, or acknowledge and work with the Mystery of Spirit at the center of our being. In a very interesting chapter, Shea discusses hacking the metaphors that express and communicate the actions of the heart which are part and parcel of our communion with God and with our neighbors. As you can see by now, the author honors Jesus as "the full embodiment of the God-Self-Neighbor spiritual process." To follow him, people must live in continual gratitude, be open to the Spirit, not worry about money or the future, and take on and transform hostility. Shea concludes on a high and holy note:
"Our following of Jesus is not loyalty to a past master; it is staying awake and cooperating with his Spirit who beckons in the next never-before-seen-in-the-world moment."
