Come Forth

'A spiritual masterpiece’ Richard Rohr, OFM A magnificent, moving spiritual journey’ Amy-Jill Levine 'Genius' Mary Karr The bestselling author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything and Learning to Pray on one of the most intriguing events in the New Testament. 'This remarkable testimony demonstrates the power of a single Gospel story. This is soul-nourishing and highly recommended' Ben Witherington III, author of A Week in the Life of Corinth In this wise and thoughtful book, Father James Martin, SJ, analyses the miracle of Lazarus’s resurrection and asks us to consider what Jesus means when he calls Lazarus – and each of us – to 'come forth'. Taking us through the Gospel story verse by verse, he offers deep reflection on the lessons it holds about love, family, sadness, frustration, fear, anger, freedom and joy. Come Forth combines compelling analysis of the biblical text, insights about the historical setting of the story, meditations on Lazarus in art and the larger culture, as well as stories of Martin’s personal experiences. As he explores these strands in-depth, Martin offers us a deeper understanding of this miracle and its essential message – letting go of the limiting beliefs that prevent us from experiencing God in all His glory. 'All of us have things that we need to "let die" in order to follow God more freely, to love more deeply, and to become the people whom God desires us to be,' Martin writes. As this wise and profound book reveals, we need only to open ourselves to the transformative story of Lazarus and trust that God can use it to free us to experience new life – and come closer to Him.

‘Full of keen spiritual and human insight, inspiring meditations both broad and deep. A compelling chair pilgrimage with [Father Martin] who is endlessly fascinated by Jesus and reminds us that the life of faith is lively, ever-curious, full of wonder and, in this book’s case … kind of fun’ Elizabeth Scalia, OSV News ‘Jesuit priest James Martin takes a satisfying approach that mines John 11 for new interpretations and translations – and even a few hot takes on common understandings of the story and its characters. His enthusiasm is infectious’ The Presbyterian Outlook ‘From historical investigation to literary and artistic imaginings, Martin guides readers from despair to hope and from shame to acceptance. A magnificent, moving spiritual journey’ Amy-Jill Levine, Professor of New Testament Studies Emerita, Vanderbilt University, author of The Misunderstood Jew ‘Wise, winsome, and compelling, Martin writes in a way that invites growth in faith and discernment. Beyond the complexity of critical study and the obscurity of historical data, this book is a pastoral summons into a world of grace-filled honesty’ Walter Brueggemann, author of The Prophetic Imagination ‘Martin dives deep into the Gospel story to reveal how Jesus's greatest miracle can help each of us experience the new life that God promises. Come Forth is a spiritual masterpiece’ Richard Rohr, OFM, author of The Universal Christ ‘Martin mixes biblical exegesis with nuanced reflections on the Lazarus story as represented in the larger culture of art, books and film … An erudite and heartfelt paean’ Shelf Awareness ‘Martin – arguably our greatest writer priest – has penned a genius meditation on the Raising of Lazarus. I read it in one sitting and came away with a renewed hope that grace alone can call me out of whatever tomb I’ve buried myself in. Bravo!’ Mary Karr, author of The Liar’s Club

REV. JAMES MARTIN, SJ, is a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine, consultor to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication and author of the New York Times bestsellers Learning to Pray, Jesus: A Pilgrimage and The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything. Father Martin is a frequent commentator in the media, having appeared on networks and outlets such as: The Colbert Report, NPR’s Fresh Air, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.