gleanings from gilead

finishing marilynne robinson's gilead last evening, i came across two selections that demanded further reflection. gilead is a letter written by an aged iowa pastor to his pre-adolescent son as a way for the child to remember his father after he dies. it really is a delightful and thoughtful book. many thanks to paul for the recommendation. now, on to two selections at which i either paused or laughed.

"Cataract that this world is, it is remarkable to consider what does abide in it" (gilead, 193).
on a morning like today with its fresh breeze, blue sky, and the chorus of birds outside the window, i am amazed by the truth of this statement. images of the divine all around me in this fallen world.

"Two or three ladies had pronounced views on points of doctrine, particularly sin and damnation, which they never learned from me. I blame the radio for sowing a good deal of confusion where theology is concerned. And television is worse. You can spend forty years teaching people to be awake to the mystery and then some fellow with no more theological sense than a jackrabbit gets himself a radio ministry and all your work is forgotten. I do wonder where it will end" (gilead, 208).
sad. but true.