Grief’s Liturgy: A Lament
At once a lament-psalm and a love song, Grief's Liturgy records Gerald Postema's work and worship of grief upon the loss of his wife, a year's work aided by the companions--poetry and prayers, icons and images, music and silence--that sat patiently with him. Structured around the liturgy of the Divine Office, reflections in each "hour" take on a distinctive expressive and emotional tone and fall into a jagged, broken rhythm over the course of each "day" yielding ultimately an understanding of the life-affirming necessity of grief.
"Grief's Liturgy is extraordinary; there is nothing like
it. It's a grieving celebration of love--as is every true lament.
What makes it stand out from all other contemporary laments is that
Postema gives to the grieving celebration of love for his wife a
moving and imaginative liturgical form. The writing is beautifully
poetic and spare, as all speech in the face of death should be. And
it's concrete, often achingly so. Wonderful! To be savored."
--Nicholas Wolterstorff, Professor Emeritus of Philosophical
Theology, Yale University
"For anyone bereaved, this book is one of profound, deeply human
thoughts and emotions, exemplifying the struggles and labors of
loss. Formatted around the daily Divine Office, Grief's
Liturgy sets the themes of grief into the context of poignant
Scripture, poetry, music, and art. Gerald Postema has created a
plaintive, soulful masterpiece that conveys the honest anguish of
mourning."
--Mark T. Higgins, President, Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham,
NC
"Postema's remarkable book invites us into his grief, his mourning,
and his hope in God. Those who accept the invitation will be
blessed. The poetry and art, the songs and Scripture, the honesty
and fidelity will not eliminate grief, of course, but they will
bless it and point toward the comfort of baptism and the promise of
God's love."
--Allen Verhey, Professor of Christian Ethics, Duke Divinity
School
"Grief's Liturgy is extraordinary; there is nothing like
it. It's a grieving celebration of love--as is every true lament.
What makes it stand out from all other contemporary laments is that
Postema gives to the grieving celebration of love for his wife a
moving and imaginative liturgical form. The writing is beautifully
poetic and spare, as all speech in the face of death should be. And
it's concrete, often achingly so. Wonderful! To be savored."
--Nicholas Wolterstorff, Professor Emeritus of Philosophical
Theology, Yale University
"For anyone bereaved, this book is one of profound, deeply human
thoughts and emotions, exemplifying the struggles and labors of
loss. Formatted around the daily Divine Office, Grief's
Liturgy sets the themes of grief into the context of poignant
Scripture, poetry, music, and art. Gerald Postema has created a
plaintive, soulful masterpiece that conveys the honest anguish of
mourning."
--Mark T. Higgins, President, Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Durham,
NC
"Postema's remarkable book invites us into his grief, his mourning,
and his hope in God. Those who accept the invitation will be
blessed. The poetry and art, the songs and Scripture, the honesty
and fidelity will not eliminate grief, of course, but they will
bless it and point toward the comfort of baptism and the promise of
God's love."
--Allen Verhey, Professor of Christian Ethics, Duke Divinity
School
Product Details
- Title : Grief’s Liturgy: A Lament
- Author: Postema, Gerald J.
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Publication Date: 2012
- ISBN: 9781621899334
Gerald J. Postema is Cary C. Boshamer Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He published widely in moral, political, and legal philosophy.