Loosening the Roots of Compassion: Meditations for Holy Week and Eastertide
by Ellen Bradshaw Aitken
Published by Cowley Publications
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Pattie Reitz
Loosening the Roots of Compassion is exactly what its subtitle indicates: a book of meditations for Holy Week and Eastertide. Aitken, a university professor of Christian history and literature, is also an ordained Episcopal priest. She indicates in the book's preface that we as modern-day believers can find relationship between Biblical text and liturgy, and ancient communities of believers. These contemplations become the roots of our lives, into both scripture and church tradition.
This small book is easy to use. Aitken gives mediations for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day. She further extends the celebration into the week following the Resurrection of Jesus, including some of the Risen Christ's appearances (to the disciples; on the road to Emmaus; and the miracle of the "riot of fish"). Each meditation includes the appropriate Biblical passage as well as a modern practical application and a prayer.
I recommend this book to those in the ministry who prepare for the Lenten and Easter seasons, as well as those who would wish to have a guide for their own meditative contemplations during Holy and Easter weeks.
Armchair Interviews agrees.