Ask the Author: R. Thomas Richard
Answered Questions (2)
R. Thomas Richard
I think the film "Babette's Feast" has the best way to answer that question, when posed to any artist of any kind, concerning the particular art expression that he has found or stumbled upon - or that has found him, awakened him, and given him a voice. An artist of any kind has something to say, and it must be said. He may try this or that kind of art, but his message will find a way.
Another beautiful answer was offered by Leonard Cohen - a very gifted poet/songwriter. His song/poem/prayer, "If It Be Your Will" comes to me often. Art comes from God - or better to say, good art comes from the Source of all goodness. There is trash that is passed off as art - I'm not talking about that. But art is meant to lift, and point, and direct the soul to the Source Himself, to Truth, even if He is not mentioned explicitly, even if the artist himself does not realize that he is just a spokesman for Another.
But truth deserves to be spoken! Or sung, or expressed in some way to give voice to it. So I try to write. It is not easy, but that is not the point at all. To speak it, or shout it, or whisper it, or write or sing or sound or paint it - that is the point. An artist, having been given art in his soul as an unrequested gift, has a burden to bear. And a duty to do. And it is a profound joy to offer it back in return!
Another beautiful answer was offered by Leonard Cohen - a very gifted poet/songwriter. His song/poem/prayer, "If It Be Your Will" comes to me often. Art comes from God - or better to say, good art comes from the Source of all goodness. There is trash that is passed off as art - I'm not talking about that. But art is meant to lift, and point, and direct the soul to the Source Himself, to Truth, even if He is not mentioned explicitly, even if the artist himself does not realize that he is just a spokesman for Another.
But truth deserves to be spoken! Or sung, or expressed in some way to give voice to it. So I try to write. It is not easy, but that is not the point at all. To speak it, or shout it, or whisper it, or write or sing or sound or paint it - that is the point. An artist, having been given art in his soul as an unrequested gift, has a burden to bear. And a duty to do. And it is a profound joy to offer it back in return!
R. Thomas Richard
I don't mean to sound trite about this, but I wasn't looking for an idea, nor was I looking to write anything at all. But "the idea" - the way that God leads a man or a woman from where we all begin (in confusion and darkness) to a place we know not, but it is clear and filled with light - that way, that "idea", found me when I had no expectation of it.
I knew one thing at the time, that the ways of God are overwhelmingly mysterious and beautiful. Even in darkness, when He is sensed somehow, that Presence is beautiful and is not to be denied or rejected, but instead attended to, listened to, waited for, waited upon.
I had returned to school - in my 50's - to study theology in a Master's program, in a Catholic university, to really learn what that Church believed and taught. I left the Church as a young adult, finding no substance in it. (Actually, I was the one lacking substance!) Then, in my forties, I began to hear something different, and troubling. I was drawn to return to the Catholic Church, but I was still afraid of it, distrusting of it, suspicious. I needed to learn what in fact this Church believed and taught! Could I say yes to it? Could I dare to really give myself into its hands? I had to know, for sure, and so I resolved to learn the truth and know one way or the other: could I stay, or must I go?
So there, in the university, in a short summer course on a sacrament, the professor introduced the class to a spiritual theology I had never heard of - but this spiritual theology turned on a spotlight in my soul that explained to me things I had experienced but never understood. That spirituality - that spiritual understanding - illuminated my soul in ways I never expected or sought to possess. It found me. And that light breathed into me ("in-spired" me) gradually in the months ahead to try to write, for the benefit of others, this truth that changed my life. It became a treasure in my heart, that I hoped I could explain, write of, and pass on to others, that they might have it too.
I kept this treasure in my heart until I finished my studies and began to work in the Church, teaching and leading others into the Catholic Faith. Then, as time allowed, I began to write my first book.
Several smaller books followed that first one, but to get to your question about my "most recent book" - my most recent book is a revision and new edition of that first one! "The Ordinary Path to Holiness: The treasure of Catholic spirituality re-presented for our times."
That book is described here:
https://renewthechurch.com/2018/11/26...
I knew one thing at the time, that the ways of God are overwhelmingly mysterious and beautiful. Even in darkness, when He is sensed somehow, that Presence is beautiful and is not to be denied or rejected, but instead attended to, listened to, waited for, waited upon.
I had returned to school - in my 50's - to study theology in a Master's program, in a Catholic university, to really learn what that Church believed and taught. I left the Church as a young adult, finding no substance in it. (Actually, I was the one lacking substance!) Then, in my forties, I began to hear something different, and troubling. I was drawn to return to the Catholic Church, but I was still afraid of it, distrusting of it, suspicious. I needed to learn what in fact this Church believed and taught! Could I say yes to it? Could I dare to really give myself into its hands? I had to know, for sure, and so I resolved to learn the truth and know one way or the other: could I stay, or must I go?
So there, in the university, in a short summer course on a sacrament, the professor introduced the class to a spiritual theology I had never heard of - but this spiritual theology turned on a spotlight in my soul that explained to me things I had experienced but never understood. That spirituality - that spiritual understanding - illuminated my soul in ways I never expected or sought to possess. It found me. And that light breathed into me ("in-spired" me) gradually in the months ahead to try to write, for the benefit of others, this truth that changed my life. It became a treasure in my heart, that I hoped I could explain, write of, and pass on to others, that they might have it too.
I kept this treasure in my heart until I finished my studies and began to work in the Church, teaching and leading others into the Catholic Faith. Then, as time allowed, I began to write my first book.
Several smaller books followed that first one, but to get to your question about my "most recent book" - my most recent book is a revision and new edition of that first one! "The Ordinary Path to Holiness: The treasure of Catholic spirituality re-presented for our times."
That book is described here:
https://renewthechurch.com/2018/11/26...
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