Summary: The text discusses the character Mariette Baptiste from Ron Hansen’s novel “Mariette in Ecstasy,” highlighting her struggles with religious fervor and sexual identity as a young novice in a convent. Mariette experiences intense religious visions and self-harm, leading to a complex relationship with her faith and her body. Ultimately, her story challenges traditional views of spirituality, suggesting that brokenness can be a source of strength and connection to God.
Deep passion threatens order and stability; exuberance violates established boundaries; unpredictability upsets routine. (View Highlight)
It stands to reason, then, that if the material means through which God speaks to us is necessarily imperfect and, at times, downright broken, our reception can be bewilderingly unexpected and even shockingly traumatic to both ourselves and those who observe us. But this isn’t a prima facie reason to deny that divine communication has occurred. (View Highlight)
Could it be that it’s precisely through our wounds that God is best able to speak to us—that we’re most receptive? If so, our brokenness may be our greatest spiritual strength (View Highlight)
Genuine saints confuse us, disquiet us, and even anger us. They probe Christ’s wounds to touch base with and sanctify their own, and in so doing inspire us to touch ours as well. They help us to realize that each and every one of us carries the wounds of Christ. (View Highlight)