The Reed of God: A New Edition of a Spiritual Classic
Product ID: 5111749
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HALLOW'S PRAY25 ADVENT BOOK CHALLENGE PICK! The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander, British Catholic writer and artist, has been cherished by Catholics worldwide since its first publication in 1944. This spiritual classic invites readers to encounter Mary, the Mother of God, not as a distant, untouchable figure but as deeply human―one whose openness to God made divine love visible in the world. Caryll Houselander portrays Mary as a reed, hollow and open, through which God’s song could be played. With this powerful image, Houselander reveals how Mary gave her whole being to God’s plan and shows how we, too, can become instruments of divine love. Years before the Second Vatican Council inspired renewed devotion to Mary, Houselander offered her own profound and approachable vision of the Mother of God―warm, intuitive, and accessible. She counters the stiff, idealized “Madonna of the Christmas card” with a portrait of Mary that is alive, intimate, and profoundly relevant for Christians seeking closeness with Christ. Drawing from centuries of theological tradition yet enriched by her keen understanding of the human condition and the modern hunger for meaning, Houselander gives flesh and spirit to the Church’s affirmations about Mary and presents her as a figure designed for contemplation and imitation. Through essays and poems, divided into four parts, Houselander reflects on the mysteries of Mary’s life―her fiat, the finding of Jesus in the Temple, her assumption―and on themes of emptiness, fruitfulness, and the soul’s longing for union with God. In Mary’s humanity, Houselander finds the model for every believer: to carry Christ into the world. As Houselander writes, “The one thing that she did and does is the one thing that we all have to do, namely, to bear Christ into the world. To this need, the imitation of Our Lady is the answer; in contemplating her we find intimacy with God, the law which is the lovely yoke of the one irresistible love.” Mary was the reed through which Eternal Love was piped as a shepherd’s song. The question remains for us: Are we reed pipes? Is God waiting to live lyrically through us? Review: This book helps in reflection and applying to spiritual growth and knowledge. - A beautiful book that is worth more than a one time read. Although it could be read through, it’s worth reading and reflecting and becoming fully engaged in its message Review: Good book - Good book but kind of boring a little bit so it’s hard to get through
| Best Sellers Rank | #19,063 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #11 in Christian Mariology #22 in Christian Saints #113 in Christian Meditation Worship & Devotion (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 964 Reviews |
C**N
This book helps in reflection and applying to spiritual growth and knowledge.
A beautiful book that is worth more than a one time read. Although it could be read through, it’s worth reading and reflecting and becoming fully engaged in its message
G**S
Good book
Good book but kind of boring a little bit so it’s hard to get through
L**D
True and Beautiful
I enjoyed every page written with the deepest most gently explanation of Mary and Jesus who they are and what it all means
G**X
A good read for everyone, a must read for Catholics
I am recommending this book to anyone and everyone. The beauty with which she writes and the feeling and thoughts the story evokes is very powerful. I was expecting a more novel/story about Mary, but what Houselander does is offer her reflection on Mary's story and tie in what it means to be human with the call to holiness we each have. If you want a book to inspire you, this one will. If you want a story to help you grow in your faith, this one will. If you want to build a deeper connection with Mary, look no further than this book. If you want a self help/reflection/betterment book, this one has that. If I could give this 10 stars I would.
K**R
Outstanding Read
I thoroughly enjoyed this deep exposition of our lady and how her every breath led us to Jesus. Incredibly deep and thought provoking.
S**N
night reading material
enjoyable reading
R**S
excellent read
This book is well worth reading. It is written well and easy to understand but very thought provoking. Miss Houselander’s writing is superb. This book will be read again and studied!
K**R
Wonderful book for advent
This is one i will read again. It would make an amazing bible study with a small group of women
B**B
Livre incroyablement profond
J'ai lu ce livre en tant que Protestante. La vie de Marie m'a toujours interpellé. Ici, on décrit plutôt la vie de Marie et la vie de Christ en elle et le développement à voir le Christ dans d'autres personnes. Ecrit d'une manière très intellectuel quand même et laisse rêveur. Toujours d'actualité alors que le livre est écrit dans la vie de l'écrivaine - pendant la deuxième guerre mondiale. Fascinant et à garder dans sa bibliothèque pour relire. I read this book as a Protestant believer and was always a bit fascinated by the Virgin Mary. In this book, the author describes the life of Mary and the life of Christ within her and how we can see the life of Christ in other people. This is a very intellectual piece of work and makes one think and dream a bit. It is pretty current, even if it was written during the Second World War. Really fascinating and worth keeping on the bookshelf to read it again (and again).
M**R
GREAT BOOK STUDY MATERIAL
Our Catholic women's group is studying this book very slowly (a few pages a week) it is poetic and thought provoking. The podcast Abiding Together did a lovely 4 week study that unpacks this book. If you are looking for a slower reading group that incorporates the lives of the Saints as intercessors in growing closer to Jesus through the living example of Mary, check out Mount Carmel Place of Prayer website. We have a Catholic women's prayer group weekly featuring this book in 2024.
M**D
A must read.
Wow. If you love the Mother of God you must read this. It is an eye opener about the life of the greatest woman that ever lived
W**M
It is gentle, poetic, healing, full of hope and centered on Mary
This book is really good. I would be surprised that if many people haven't read it. I bought it as a perfect gift to my godparents. Faithful to the original text No edits, no missing chapters, no strange formatting. The cover and layout feel like a true spiritual classic — not cheap or print‑on‑demand. Talking about the story. Its voice feels like a soft spiritual companion speaking quietly to the heart. The imagery of nurturing and giving life deeply resonates with someone who loves children and cherishes life.
A**3
Five Stars
I lived this book so much I’m buying it for all my friends!
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