Spirituality is a motion, a responsive movement of heart, mind, and spirit to the life of God moving within us. Starting from his Roman Catholic roots but working ecumenically, Bob Hurd explores this notion of spirituality in two parts. Part 1 places it in the theological framework of Creation-Grace-Incarnation, concluding that its specific form is participation in Christ's self-emptying love of God, humankind, and creation. Part 2 investigates this kenotic spirituality liturgically, exploring how it comes to expression in the ritual stages of Gathering, Word, Eucharistic Prayer, Communion, and Sending. Comparing and contrasting each stage with corresponding patterns in various Protestant traditions, Hurd lays out the possibility of a spirituality common to Christians of various confessions.
"You have enjoyed singing Bob Hurd's liturgical music. Here is your opportunity to enter the fruitful mind of this faithful Christian. You will explore not only the workings of worship, but also the God whom worship encounters. Hurd's book will help you appreciate why his music so powerfully draws you into Christian prayer."
Fr. Paul Turner, Pastor, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Kansas City, Missouri
"I have read other books on the topic of Eucharist and living a just life by some very fine authors. Bob Hurd's book is outstanding in its category. It is well written, interesting, organized, clear, ecumenically focused, theologically rich, and liturgically challenging. Hurd offers fresh insights on familiar topics, moving easily from poets, playwrights, theologians, and spiritual writers. His tr
Judith M. Kubicki, CSSF, Associate Professor of Theology, Fordham University
"Deeply grounded in Scripture and demonstrating deft command of insights provided by Karl Rahner and Louis-Marie Chauvet, Bob Hurd's Compassionate Christ, Compassionate People articulates a Christian spirituality, that, nourished by liturgical practice, moves with the spirit of God moving within us. Hurd's account of liturgy ties the love that moves Dante's stars with the love that God summons us
Timothy Brunk, Associate Professor of Theology, Villanova University
