Uncommom Gratitude, Alleluia for All That Is, by Joan Chittister, OSB and Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

Dr. Williams deals with scenes from everyday life, and Sister Joan reflects on each if these, and many more, uncovering the spiritual value, the “alleluia view,” of every present moment in our lives.  She begins with the attack on the New York’s Trade Center of Sept.11, 2001, and its world-wide impact on Faith of all who believe in God. She shows that despite the horror of that day, the heroism displayed in rescuing survivors and in caring for those who lost their lives and for those who were mourning brought a glimmer of light into a disastrous moment. 

She continues with a broad array of life’s realities, including Doubt, Wealth and Poverty, Conflicts and Unity,  Past and Future,  Death and Life.  She suggests that in all of them there are “alleluia moments,” even in those we consider to be negative.   “Alleluia for all that is,” we say with grateful hearts.

In the final chapter, entitled simply “God”, we ponder together the disturbing dilemma of how a good God could allow gigantic tsunamis, earthquakes and other natural disasters dealing death and misery to endless numbers of innocent people that God has created and loves.  With the author we consider questions such as these:  “If God could prevent such “evils”, but does nothing, how can we call God good?”   “How could anyone possibly find anything worthy of an “alleluia” in such cataclysmic events?” Joan assures us that just as in the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers, so in natural disasters of great magnitude, and in everything that happens, there are redeeming factors, something to evoke gratitude to God, to proclaim that God is indeed good.  

I believe you would find this book both thought-provoking and challenging.