Book Club, Anyone?

Not too long ago, I expressed to my wonderful mentor that I didn't think about the Blessed Mother very often, nor did I feel a need or desire to.  I explained that I have found Mary to be such a divisive issue for my Protestant friends, that it wasn't worth it to me to focus on her.  And while I honored her and accepted all the teachings of the Church on our Lady, since she has no bearing on our salvation, it doesn't seem necessary for me to build a relationship with her.  My sweet mentor listened and understood, but seemed saddened by my view.  For my birthday, she bought me The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander.  I read the forward by Marie Anne Mayeski and was captivated.  On the first page, she recongized the controversial nature of the  title of "co-redemptrix" yet described Houselander's book as "unremittingly Christocentric".  This seems to fit my needs exactly.  I want an orthodox Catholic book that is centered on Christ our Redeemer that would address some of these more controversial subjects.  (Plus it has a quote from Scott Hahn on the front, so it's bound to be excellent, right?!) 


Since I haven't read the book yet, I am limited in the teasers I can give to encourage you to join.  But my mentor is an amazing Godly woman, and if she recommends this book, it's bound to be excellent!  And in the word of one Amazon reviewer:

"This is a wonderfully practical non-sentimental/non-treacle understanding of the Blessed Virgin's role in salvation history. But this does not mean it is not devotional - it is in the right sense so much that one is almost startled by what Houselander draws from the simple fact of Mary's motherhood: "He was completely her own, utterly dependent upon her: she was His food and warmth and rest, His shelter from the world, His shade in the Sun. She was the shrine of the Sacrament, the four walls and the roof of His home". But the true significance of Mary's motherhood is that "in giving her humanity to God, Mary gave all humanity to Him to be used for His own will" and "In surrendering to the Spirit and becoming the Bride of Life, she wed God to the human race and made the whole world pregnant with the life of Christ". But, "we can give birth to Christ only by unity with the Holy Spirit". "

There are a few of us spread around the country who have decided to read this book together and discuss it as we go.  I'd like to open it up to anyone to join!  We'll read one chapter a week (averaging 7-15 pages) beginning July 1 and discuss it via blog posts. (There are sixteen chapters and one hundred eighty six pages.)  This is open to anyone- Catholics who have a relationship with our Mother, Catholics who don't, and even (and especially?) Protestants who think we're crazy!  :)  (I love you, M and A!)

Leave a comment and let me know if you're interested.  I hope you join us!