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Gifts of the Dark Wood, by Eric Elnes. Abington Press, 2015.
This book is surnamed “Seven Blessings for Soulful Skeptics and other Wanderers”. Or it is called ‘A guidebook for
spirituality in a post-Christian world.” The Dark Wood is the surest place to meet God. Dark Wood is a place to feel uncertain, empty, lost, tempted, and alone.
It is also a place to probe and feel lonely. You don’t need to be a saint or spiritual master to take your place in Dark Wood. All you need is to be struggling. In Dark Wood one will find God in rich
treasures, in failures, in darkness, and even in successes. Gifts of the Dark Wood is a perfect guide for a soul seeking God in today’s world. Elnes’ sources are his own life, his ministry, and the Scriptures. Readers will find guidance in these pages.
Elnes is a pastor, author, speaker, and host of a gathering place. He lives with his wife and daughters in Omaha,
Nebraska.
(Thanks to Sr. Irene Hartman OP for this review.) Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle
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St. Thomas Beckett: (1118-70): December 29.
A strong man who wavered for a moment, but then learned one cannot come to terms with evil and so became a strong churchman, a martyr and a saint—that was Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury, murdered in his cathedral on December 29, 1170.
His career had been a stormy one. While archdeacon of Canterbury, he was made chancellor of England at the age of 36 by his friend King Henry II. When Henry felt it advantageous to make his chancellor the archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas gave him fair warning: he might not accept all of Henry’s intrusions into Church affairs. Nevertheless, he was
made archbishop (1162), resigned his chancellorship and reformed his whole way of life!
Troubles began. Henry insisted upon usurping Church rights. At one time, supposing some conciliatory action possible, Thomas came close to compromise. He
momentarily approved the Constitutions of Clarendon, which would have denied the clergy the right of trial by a Church court and prevented them from making direct appeal to Rome. But Thomas rejected the Constitutions, fled to France for safety and remained in exile for seven years. When he returned to England, he suspected it would mean certain death. Because Thomas refused to remit censures he had placed upon bishops favored by the king, Henry cried out in a rage, “Will no one rid me of this
troublesome priest!” Four knights, taking his words as his wish, slew Thomas in the Canterbury cathedral.
Thomas Becket remains a hero-saint down to our own times. Calendar of Saints
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