Bloomsbury presents The Mystery of Christ by Thomas Keating O.C.S.O., read by Chris Courtenay. Thomas Keating was a Cistercian monk who founded the worldwide 'Contemplative Outreach', teaching people the art of meditation. Following upon Open Mind, Open Heart, which presents a profound formation in Christian prayer, this book demonstrates the contemplative dimension of Christian worship. Here Father Keating recovers the deeper sense of the liturgical year and shares a theological and mystical perspective on the major feasts of the annual cycle. The reader is immersed in the wonder of faith in the mystery of Christ and of the unique nature of God's action and presence in and through the liturgy of our lives.
The book would be an ideal resource for a liturgy committee or parish scripture study group that might come together to reflect on the liturgical season. What Keating does in this book, ideally, is what every homilist should do also. He weaves together the Scripture proclaimed, the mystery that the liturgy celebrates, and the everyday life of the people assembled. When that weaving is done with a contemplative, sacramental imagination, the mutual presence of Christ and those gathered has the power to transform the world.