Burnt Offerings

To gaze at thepyre of theworlds injustices, to stare throughitsbitter smokein searchoflife, to love upon one another even though (and because) the fire has singedour spiritsthis is the labor of faith, and this is the gift ofBurnt Offerings.Dedicated to the survivorsof the pyre and the resisters of empire,Burnt Offeringsprovides a poetic theological reflection for each Sundayand holy dayin theliturgical year. Amy G. S. A. Brooks enriches the texts of Lectionary YearA withpoignantinsightson ancient lessons.When you think on all the ways reality has failed to meet with expectation, of all the sacrifices you have made to be here, of all the times others have tried to make a sacrifice out of you, of endless dry days in the pitiless light of a scorching sunwell,its no wonder if you are slightly singed.You are notalone infeeling less like a phoenix rising and more like a burnt piece of toast.Letsfind hydration in the sharing of stories, precious as sips of water.Let'sremember:this is wilderness, not wasteland, and theHolyis here.Beloved,you are holy andwholly loved.(excerpted fromIntroduction)