cover image ALLELUIA IS THE SONG OF THE DESERT: An Exercise for Lent and Other Sacred Times

ALLELUIA IS THE SONG OF THE DESERT: An Exercise for Lent and Other Sacred Times

Lawrence D. Hart, . . Cowley Publications, $12.95 (127pp) ISBN 978-1-56101-250-3

Lent is, at its core, a recognition that "Christ is our spiritual bread" in the midst of the barren desert, claims Episcopal priest Hart. That desert is not a physical location so much as a spiritual state—"an inner place where we come to have a first-hand experience of God." The Lenten practice of repentance is intended to bring us to this desert place, from which we can emerge refreshed and singing the titular alleluia. Drawing from a rich well of wisdom from spiritual writers such as Thomas Merton, Eugene Peterson, Rollo May, William Blake, C.S. Lewis and Henri Nouwen, this contemplative book is mature and carefully seasoned. It can be used by individuals, but was written specifically for small spiritual formation groups; to this end Hart provides several appendices on how such groups can effectively use its exercises and teachings. (Feb.)