Hope Sings, So Beautiful: Graced Encounters across the Color Line

by Christopher Pramuk

In Hope Sings, So Beautiful, award-winning author Christopher Pramuk offers a mosaic of images and sketches for thinking and praying through difficult questions about race. The reader will encounter the perspectives of artists, poets, and theologians from many different ethnic and racial communities.

This richly illustrated book is not primarily sociological or ethnographic in approach. Rather, its horizon is shaped by questions of theology, spirituality, and pastoral practice. Pramuk's challenging work on this difficult topic will stimulate fruitful conversations and fresh thinking, whether in private study or prayer; in classrooms, churches, and reading groups; or among friends and family around the dinner tale.

Genres: Spirituality

213 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2013

Reviews

[Katherine Godby]

Pramuk's writing is so lyrical. Loved this book.

[Tee Minn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hope sings so beautiful
The sib-title tells more of the story's message - " graced encounters across the color line." I have kept many quotes to move me into a better direction from reading this book. The author is aware that the chapters are independent, and written in a reflective style, no doubt a life time of introspection infused with people of significant or personal theological, historical and musical backgrounds. i especially like how their stories produced his embracing of life, but, without the reader fully engaged, you could miss the common thread.
He summarizes beautifully in the introduction the definition of "grace," a word I am learning to experience and witness to. "By grace I mean having yhe character of a gift from God. Such gifts are often paradoxical they may disturb and console at the same time. Grace interrupts our habitual ways of seeing, judging, and acting from day to day, even where it illuminates a truth that already is but was hidden from our sight... Grace is 'perhaps a thank you.'"
There are many lessons or moments when I see myself in the wrong light in this book, but I am called to work on "see(ing) and speak(ing) the truth but also to see through the eyes of understanding, empathy, and love. To see with love is a Paschal option. It takes time. .. What we can do is ... Be present to each other and to the earth, and thus open circles in space and time for the gifts of God to break through."
Recently I went to a peace prayer service with liked minded people, it was very healing. I left and passed by a rally for that same purpose, but found my guard up when this crowd didn't have the same picture of "me" within them. I realized afterwards I did not walk through my fears and find a way to belong, to celebrate life in the spirit my soul was seeking, contrary to the book's voice.
He quotes Sr. Thea Bowman who asks , "are we willing to let the circle of familiarity be broken open, and the boundaries give way..." Don't get me wrong, this book sings of hope and beauty with stories like Etty Hillesum whose journal from a concentration camp speaks volumes on being in solidarity with those who suffer, but safeguarding 'that little piece of You, God, in ourselves." I love her ability to see love inside evil. And of course, there are many stories filled with the union which emerges from singing together. I have experienced this multicultural singing and know how it imprints your soul. He calls it transformative, and it is his definition for what "church"is.

[Fr. River]

Christopher Pramuk offers hope to us as he applies his theology to the community of race and religion which he expands into the far larger community of gender, sexuality, and inclusiveness of all. He affirms and liberates the foundational dogma of salvation through Jesus Christ and Catholic faith. He writes of incarnation as a quality we all share, whatever our religion or ethnic origins. Grace and hope surpass the boundaries of doctrine and structure. He offers up a faith in a God in is inclusive of all, without concern for our cultural racial or gender or sexual identity boundaries.

And excellent book of hope!