The Rising: Living the Mysteries of Lent, Easter, and Pentecost

by Wendy M. Wright

A companion for the liturgical season surrounding Easter, The Rising is designed to help readers discover Jesus' resurrection in the fabric of everyday life. The book offers a unique blend of theology, poetry, hymns, and insightful personal stories. A follow-up to Wright's book The Vigil, The Rising is divided into five parts and is inspired by scripture found in the Common Lectionary. Designed for study and reflection for either individuals or groups, the readings contained in this lyrical book focus on the themes of reconciliation, forgiveness, love, community, and the mystery of pain and brokenness. This book is also available in the Wendy Wright Seasonal Trilogy.

Genres: Religion

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Wendy M. Wright, PhD is Professor Emerita of Theology at Creighton University in Omaha NE. She teaches regularly in several graduate ministerial programs including Oblate School of Theology's Institute for Contemporary Spirituality, Creighton University's Christian Spirituality Master's program and the National Methodist Academy for Spiritual Formation. Her expertise falls in the areas of history of spirituality (notably Salesian spirituality), family spirituality, spiritual direction and the Catholic devotional tradition. Her most recent book is Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal (Pauline: Saints by Our Side series) and The Lady of the Angels and Her City: a Marian Pilgrimage (Liturgical Press). She is co-host of the Creighton University podcast "Catholic Comments," (http://cucatholicctr.org/catholic-com...), a retreat director and spiritual guide. She and her husband, Roger Bergman, are the parents of three adult offspring and grandparents of four.

Reviews

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed joining with Wright from Lent-Pentecost as I did from Advent-Epiphany. She frequently quotes hymns and poetry, uses examples from history and her own life, and overall weaves a beautiful tapestry to background worship in these seasons. I marked a lot of passages for revisiting and look forward to reading this again every few years.

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“The liturgical year roots our faith. It grounds the invisible, animating our lives in the visible, tactile world. It is elemental. It drapes flesh on the skeletons of our too-ghostly religiosity. It connects heaven with earth, divine with human. It allows us access to the mysteries of our faith. In its feasts and fasts we taste and see God.” (13-14)

[on footwashing] “This is a new command. Love a new way. Love by caretaking. Love by being available to one another. Love by serving. In a world which clamors for status and recognition, this is a countercultural statement.” (90)

“It is especially striking that at the core of our faith, in the accounts that point to the Resurrection itself, it is the women who are present. It is not specifically their gender that is significant as much as their marginality to positions of power and privilege. Women, like the tax collectors, sinners, like the blind, the lame, and the leper were the outsiders of their day. And all of them were singled out by Jesus during his ministry. They are shown here to be the privileged bearers of the message of the new life of Easter.” (117)

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

My friend Cara gave me the most amazing birthday gift of twelve wrapped books, one for each month of the coming year. This was my March book and it was very welcome, as we were already a few weeks into Lent and I had yet to settle on a Lenten devotional; this one was perfect! The book follows the liturgical calendar and is divided into five sections: The Forty Days of Lent (with chapters for Ash Wednesday and each of the first five weeks of Lent); Holy Week (with chapters for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday); Easter; The Fifty Days of Easter (with chapters for each of the seven weeks of Eastertide); and Pentecost. I read most of the book in the weeks just before and just after Easter, but they could be read and appreciated any time of year. The book’s content is unique, blending poetry, hymns, theology, church history, and long passages of Scripture with the author’s own commentary and personal stories.

Although Wright’s Catholic theology is more mystical than my own, I enjoyed this devotional that provided fresh insights into several Biblical stories and theological ideas. Wright’s prose is lyrical and spirited, filled with gorgeous descriptions of her natural surroundings and soulful invitations to transformation and worship. Themes of community, brokenness, redemption, and reconciliation permeate chapters that prepare our hearts for what the Lord may do in this holiest of Christian seasons.

This does not appear to be a widely circulated book, but if you can get your hands on a copy it would make an excellent addition to your devotional readings next Lenten season.

My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Print

[Margaret R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely companion book for Lent, Easter and Pentecost - unfortunately not the right liturgical year. I was intrigued because the author teaches at Creighton University, my alma mater. I like the mixture of liturgical reflection and personal stories.

[Jeremy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, it's alright. Wrong lectionary year for this year (I think it is year C or not RCL), but the stories were ok.

[Rachel Kopel]

Planning ahead for Easter.

[Covenant Presbyterian Springfield Ohio]

Call Number: 248 WRI (L)

Available.