Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire

by Christine Valters Paintner

Overview

Organized around “The Canticle of the Creatures” by St. Francis of Assisi, Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire explores the ways in which praying with the natural elements can enliven Christian spiritual life. In this brilliant book, Benedictine Oblate Christine Valters Paintner synthesizes concrete ideas, simple prayers, and a wealth of thought-provoking quotations on the spiritual significance of the four elements.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781933495224
Publisher:	Ave Maria Press
Publication date:	03/01/2010
Pages:	149
Sales rank:	1,167,344
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Christine Valters Paintner serves as the Program Coordinator for the Ignatian Spirituality Center in Seattle and is also adjunct faculty at Seattle University's School of Theology and Ministry. Paintner is a Benedictine Oblate and serves as Art Editor for Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

Brother Wind 15

Wind and Creation 16

Life Breath 19

Holy Inspiration 23

Carried by the Wind 29

God in the Whirlwind 32

Lectio Divina with Wind 37

More Air and Wind Quotations for Prayer 39

Blessing of Wind 42

Brother Fire 45

Fire and Creation 46

Fire of Illumination 50

Fire of Purification 55

Becoming Fire 59

Living Flame of Love 62

Sun, Moon, and Stars 65

Lectio Divina with Fire 69

More Fire Quotations for Prayer 71

Blessing of Fire 73

Sister Water 75

Water and Creation 76

Rise and Fall of the Tides 79

Living Water 85

Holy Wells, Desert Springs, and Fountains 88

Viriditas 92

Baptism and Blessing 95

Lectio Divina with Water 99

More Water Quotations for Prayer 100

Blessing of Water 101

Sister Earth 103

Earth and Creation 104

Tree of Life 107

Holy Mountain 111

Sacred Garden 116

Feasting and Communion 120

Our Own Earthiness 126

Earth's Creatures 129

Lectio Divina with Earth 133

More Earth Quotations for Prayer 134

Blessing of Earth 136

Conclusion 137

Sources 143

Editorial Reviews

In a warm, personable manner, Paintner, a Benedictine oblate and spiritual director, invites the reader to engage creation as a sacred text by prayerfully exploring theological dimensions of the elements. Drawing on Celtic tradition, Paintner explores religious and cultural symbolism; for example, water’s associations with the direction west, the season autumn, and its physical forms and spiritual dimensions, such as tides, thirst, tears, baptism. Suggestions for reflection and action include the application of lectio divina, a practice of “sacred reading” typically used with scripture, to nature, encouraging the reader “to listen deeply for the stirring of the holy in sacred texts around us.” In each chapter, Paintner offers reflections on her prayer life during the book’s composition, demonstrating how she applied the spiritual practices she suggests (such as lighting a candle when contemplating “Fire”). Quotes from scripture, poets, essayists, and Christian mystics encourage the reader to seek divine revelation and comprehension of God’s love for all creation by “cultivating a contemplative relationship to nature.” Simple and powerful, this book will be a welcome new resource for individuals and groups seeking spiritual connection to creation. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Paintner (Awakening the Creative Spirit), a Benedictine oblate, here gives us a fresh and original treatment of Christian spirituality. The elements she speaks of—water, wind, earth, and fire—are of course not elements as contemporary science understand them, but Paintner's work is closer to poetry than science, as she reflects on the metaphorical powers of these old-style elements and selects poetry and prayers that engage them. Her chapters include ideas for reflection and prayer, as well as guides for lectiones divinae with each of the elements. VERDICT A lovely, brief book reconnecting Christian spirituality with the natural world.

Library Journal