Overview
"James Martin--arguably our greatest writer-priest--has penned a genius meditation on the Raising of Lazarus. I came away with a renewed hope that grace alone can call me out of whatever tomb I've buried myself in." --Mary Karr, author of The Liar's Club and Lit: A Memoir One of America's most beloved spiritual leaders and the New York Times bestselling author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything and Learning to Pray examines one of the most intriguing events in the New Testament--the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead--and explains its significance for us today. In this wise and compassionate book, Father James Martin, SJ explores the story of Jesus's greatest miracle--the raising of Lazarus from the dead--and what Jesus means when he calls each of us to "come forth." Meditatively and carefully, Martin leads us verse by verse, offering profound reflections on Jesus's lessons on love, family, sadness, frustration, fear, anger, freedom, and joy. Come Forth combines: Compelling analysis of the biblical text Insights about the historical setting of the story Spiritual lessons for today's readers Meditations on Lazarus in art and the larger culture Stories from Martin's travels through the Holy Land As he explores these strands in depth, Martin helps us let go of the limiting beliefs that prevent us from experiencing God's presence in our lives. We need only to open ourselves to the transformative story of Lazarus and trust that God can use it to free us to experience, like Lazarus, new life.
Professional Reviews
"Part exploration of the life and death of Lazarus; part spiritual direction on how that story can bring us to new spiritual life; part personal application of the story to Martin''s own life--this remarkable testimony demonstrates the power of a single Gospel story. This is soul-nourishing and highly recommended."
-- Ben Witherington III, author of A Week in the Life of Corinth
"Martin--arguably our greatest writer priest--has penned a genius meditation on the Raising of Lazarus. I read it in one sitting and came away with a renewed hope that grace alone can call me out of whatever tomb I''ve buried myself in. Bravo!"
-- Mary Karr, author of The Liar''s Club and Lit: A Memoir
"Martin''s combination of Jesuit imagination and provocative biblical scholarship leads to insightful spiritual accompaniment with his readers. We weep with Jesus; we struggle with Martha and Mary. Martin''s latest pilgrimage encourages us to question what we thought we understood about this classic story-- and about our own mortality."
-- Michael Peppard, Professor of Theology, Fordham University
"Wise, winsome, and compelling, Martin writes in a way that invites growth in faith and discernment. Beyond the complexity of critical study and the obscurity of historical data, this book is a pastoral summons into a world of grace-filled honesty."
-- ?Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary, author of The Prophetic Imagination
"Martin dives deep into the Gospel story to reveal how Jesus''s greatest miracle can help each of us experience the new life that God promises. Come Forth is a spiritual masterpiece."
-- Richard Rohr, OFM, author of The Universal Christ
"Like being led by a guide who takes you through the art, history, and Scripture, until you arrive at what he had in mind: the understanding that the story of Lazarus reveals Jesus the God/Man: the God who raised from the dead, the man who weeps with and for his friends."
-- Mary Gordon, author of Final Payments and Joan of Arc
"Come Forth is a marvel: deeply researched, judicious in its analysis and opinions, and yet friendly and highly personal. We read the Gospels for illumination, consolation, direction, and inspiration, and in James Martin''s fascinating study of Lazarus we find them all."
-- Ron Hansen, author of Mariette in Ecstasy and Atticus
"From historical investigation to literary and artistic imaginings, Martin guides readers from despair to hope and from shame to acceptance. A magnificent, moving spiritual journey."
-- Amy-Jill Levine, Professor of New Testament Studies Emerita, Vanderbilt University, author of The Misunderstood Jew
"Probing the profound spiritual and emotional dimensions of Christ''s experience at this pivotal moment of the Gospel, Father James Martin brings profound insight to the themes of faith, betrayal, wonder, misunderstanding and questioning that touch us all in our journeys here on this earth."
-- Cardinal Robert McElroy, Archbishop of San Diego
"One of life''s joys is to read a ''page turner.'' Readers of Come Forth will discover one of life''s joys! Father Martin packs his newest book with erudite scholarship, scriptural intimacy, a love of the Holy Land and his own experience as he opens up Jesus''s greatest miracle."
-- Archbishop John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe
"James Martin''s Come Forth is a significant example of an honest and healthy interpretation of a biblical text. A must read for all searching for examples of the ongoing relevance of the Word of God in contemporary Christian life and practice."
-- Francis J. Moloney, SDB, author of the Sacra Pagina commentary on the Gospel of John
"James Martin has drawn from the story told in John 11 a wealth of reflections of a spiritual and pastoral nature."
-- Brendan Byrne, SJ, Emeritus Professor of New Testament, University of Divinity, Melbourne, Australia
