Gospel Midrashim

Steeped in the great tradition of Christian poetry, Bazyn offers a series of startling and highly personal interactions with the Four Gospels to break open Jesus'' teachings and symbolic acts for our everyday lives. His vivid, allusive poems with references to literature, theology, spirituality, liturgy, ethics, history, saints'' lives, and legend are loosely arranged around episodes in Christ''s exceptional life as the Nativity, the coming of the Magi, the parables, the raising of Lazarus, the transfiguration, the crucifixion, the resurrection, the ascension. Some pieces are meant to be serious and reflective, others light and satirical; some are modern and concrete, others abstract and universal; some are hortatory, others didactic; a few confessional, a few incandescent celebrations. Like David''s Psalter, they represent the kaleidoscope of moods symptomatic of our humanity. Via fetching images, Bazyn seeks to entangle you in the reality which is Christ, that true artesian well for our confused and wandering souls. Drawing on the best of Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant thought, this is a genuine gift to the global church. Wide-ranging in its uses, it sits at the boundary of literature and spirituality. Furthermore, it includes footnotes to scriptures (and a Scripture index) to enhance your meditation""In this mix and match of Scripture and cultural history, Bazyn opens up connections that sometimes challenge, often dazzle. Worth a thoughtful and thorough reading.""--Luci Shaw, author of Harvesting Fog and The Slow Pleasures""Bazyn''s knowledge of ancient wisdom, the Greek and Roman classics, and more, is joined with a personal love of Jesus as Savior and Lord. These poems reflect a lifetime of learning and simple, passionate devotion.""--Emilie Griffin, author of Green Leaves of Later Years""A poem provides a way to probe the inner reality of what is all around us, but because of familiarity, we miss noticing. Bazyn''s poems do notice. The absence of stereotypes and the presence of accurate metaphors invite our participation. Pray these poems.""--Eugene H. Peterson, author of Eat this Book""A bold, inspiring, and challenging look at Jesus Christ and his message. Readers will embrace Bazyn''s poetry in their quest to more fully understand the mystery of God, faith, and life itself. Encourages group reflection.""--Rueben P. Job, coauthor of Upper Room''s Guide to Prayer seriesKen Bazyn is long-time editorial director of Religious Book Club. He has written The Seven Perennial Sins and Their Offspring and edited two anthologies, The Best of Paul Tournier and You and Yours. He has also published articles in forty periodicals from Commonweal to Dialog as well as many photographs. His poems have appeared in fifteen little magazines.