by: Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis
Disclaimer: I have only read Volumes 1 and 2. I will admit though, they were EXCELLENT and I am just waiting for the opportunity to read Volume 3.
Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis obtained his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and Theology from Emory University. He was formerly a Professor of Literature and Theology at the University of San Francisco, and is now a Trappist monk at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts. Though his work is quite scholarly it is more than approachable to the average reader.
I first read Volume 2 a few years back and before I had finished went in search of Volume 1. I was very excited to find Volume 3, only to discover it had not been published yet. It came out this past February and I am patiently waiting to read it. These books are not only an excellent book for personal mediation, but also for anyone who is looking to delve deeper into the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew.
St. Matthew's Gospel is believed to have been the first one written and 'can' read like a very historical text with some details left wanting to the average reader. Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis from the first page completely destroys the later theory and exposes the profound depths of St. Matthew's Gospel. He goes line by line of the Gospel and uses the Greek to carefully explain those little things that can be lost in translation. These details are made accessible in his gentle and simple dissection of each word and its meaning.
One of my favorite meditations was on taken from Matthew 14:22-33
Take for example:
24 But the boat was already [b]a long distance from the land,
-He explains that long distance is not like a mile, rather that they couldn't even see the shore.
[c]battered by the waves; for the wind was [d]contrary.
-Battered does not simply mean waves hitting the boat, rather that the boat was being knocked around pretty forcibly.
25 And in the [e]fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.
-It was well into the night at this point and Jesus had left them for more than several hours.
These are not quotes from his meditations and commentary, just a general example of what it may look like. As I mentioned earlier he will dissect a phrase and explain in great detail the specifics of the moment depicted. Using his knowledge of the Greek and also the culture and customs of the time.
These books are for anyone. They are deep and may require a slower read to be able to soak in the details, but extremely accessible and written for every reader.
I hope you will enjoy these as much as I did and that they will help you contemplate so that you may then share the fruits of your contemplation.
No comments:
Post a Comment