Sunday, July 26, 2009

Dorothy Day

I'm reading "The Duty of Delight: The Diaries of Dorothy Day," edited by Robert Ellsberg. I have long been interested in the Catholicism and social justice leadings that led Day to publish the Catholic Worker and join in the struggle for worker's rights, so I am glad to have this book in hand. Can you think of people who are contemporary incarnations of Day? Who would you list?

In the book's introduction, Ellsberg quotes Day on writing, a timely contribution to the debate on blogging:

"Writing is an act of community. It is a letter, it is comforting, consoling, helping, advising on our part, as well as asking it [advice] on yours. It is part of our human association with each other. It's an expression of our love and concern for each other."

True?

2 comments:

Ted M. Gossard said...

Diane,

I've been really interested in reading Dorothy Day, and I need to sooner, than later.

This passion for social justice is powerful indeed, and needed, if we are to be true to God's revelation to us in Jesus and from Scripture.

And yes, blogging and writing ought be a community activity. Not only a sharing of thoughts and ideas, but something of a sharing of our very selves.

Diane said...

Hi Ted,

Yes, I just reread James this morning and the need to be acting in the world in unequivocal. The trouble is discerning the call. I read Dorothy Day and of all her trials and it's hard, hard to think "Could I do that?" Yet, I know she attracted people because of her joy and so she was in some sense called ...