English Literature Exploration Archives

‘Teilhard De Chardin On Love: Evolving Human Relationships’ (2017), by Louis M. Savary & Patricia H. Berne, forward by Ilia Delio.

Teilhard (1881-1955) was a French geologist who was also a Jesuit priest. This book about his writings on love is by a married couple (theologian Savary & psychologist Berne) who discussed in this book such ideas as:

“Divine love is the energy that brought the universe into being and binds it together. Human love is the energy that drives whatever we do to keep ourselves and our world growing in unity and peace” (Savary & Berne, 2017, p.3).

A book on loving that is pure and theologically inspired makes me feel positive and more constructive in my interactions of the everyday kind. Teilhard De Chardin’s being a scientist meant that I could see the analytical and objective in what he had to say and it was easier to digest the concepts which were clear and simple and very relevant to our lives today. I now seek out related literature about Teilhard de Chardin and his impact on the world.

‘Movies That Matter: Reading Film through the Lens of Faith’ (2006) by Richard Leonard SJ

I use this book as a reference to watching these and further movies through Fr Leonard’s ‘Lens of Faith’. It’s just what I was looking for. How to interpret film through my faith. Have found this book useful in its approach to analysing a film and the way it presents its material.

‘Love’s Oneing: A Book About Contemplation’ By Kerrie Hide (2022)

https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Love_s_Oneing/IJibEAAAQBAJ?hl=en

I heard this book may be described as “New Age” so it isn’t I think my doctrine as such but it is a refreshing read for its word choice, rhythm and flow. The author Kerrie Hide in such magical lyricism and regular beat links science and Christian concepts of creation of life on earth. That is, according to the Bible God created the world to demonstrate God’s love for all living forms including humans. Love is the key theme in scientific origins as well Kerrie writes, as love causes atoms to bind to atoms into molecules in a concept of what can be considered ‘love’! The actual wording is much more impressive than I can describe. I found it an easier read due to its delicate flow of language. I really think the world would benefit from things contemplative like this well written book.

‘Suspended God: Music and a theology of doubt’ by Maeve Louise Heaney (2022)

This book opened by eyes to the usefulness of music to fill the void that doubt plays in the minds and hearts of us who are craving the spiritual. It discusses a number of important voices in the church like Karl Rahner and St Teresa of Avila. This book actively causes my mind to crave its discussions within its pages.

&Juliet

Great musical theatre, about Juliet not fretting when Romeo apparently dies but buoyed up by her friends and nurse’s goading she gains confidence, dates and a new lease on life! Well a happy ending after about 30 pop songs sung thanks to ‘Anne & William Shakespeare’.

Showing at Lyric theatre now for a short time.

https://www.sydneylyric.com.au/and-juliet/

Emily (2023)

In 2023 I watched the movie Emily, about Romantic period author Emily Brontë (1840s) who wrote the novel Wuthering Heights. The movie was awesome. I liked how Emily and brother Branwell yelled out on the Moors “Freedom of Thought”! This reminded me of John Henry Newman’s book (1852) The Idea of a University.

I also liked how she spoke French at home and spoke her mind with her sister when using it ( it sounded so delicate in the French tongue) and I liked how there was a twist in the tale at the end. The movie brought tears to my eyes, even in the nonchalant parts, I suppose as a precursor, i could sense the movie’s building of heaviness and the sense of gloom near the end. I like Emily’s sense of adventure and the theme of “ the greatest joy in life is love and be loved”.

What I loved about the movie was the fact that the father (the mother had died) and sisters and brother encouraged eachother to best their best person and to write! What a roller coaster ride of emotions in this movie! Worth seeing.