In his first major work since The Universal Christ one of our most prominent spiritual voices
offers a wholehearted and hope-filled model for the world today grounded in the timeless
wisdom of the Hebrew prophets. How do we live compassionately in a time of violence and
despair? What can we do with our private disappointments and the anger we feel in such an
unjust world? In his most personal book yet Richard Rohr turns to the writings of the Jewish
prophets revealing how some of the lesser-read books of the Bible offer us a crucial path
forward today. The prophets’ writings reflect the full spectrum of human maturity. In almost
every case their initial rage and their accusatory words evolve into a profound pathos and
lamentation about our shared human condition and the world’s suffering. Through astute
critiques of culture and institutions and their journey from anger to sadness and ultimately
compassion the prophets exemplify what Rohr calls “sacred criticism”—a distinct approach to
confronting evil and injustice that acknowledges the wholeness of history the
interconnectedness of every living being and the reality of a divine and universal love. In
this they set the stage for Jesus who follows this identical pattern. Drawing on a century
of biblical scholarship and written in the warm pastoral voice that has endeared Rohr to
millions The Tears of Things breathes new life into ancient wisdom. It paves a path of
enlightenment for anyone seeking a compassionate way of living in a hurting world.
