Gilead

I was reminded of Gilead (by Marilynne Robinson) today when someone requested prayer for a man with a heart condition. It occured to me that the book is really all about the condition of another old heart. The old pastor's physical heart is wearing out, and he spends the book examining the state of his spiritual and emotional "heart."

He (sitting here, I can't remember the main character's name) is full of love for his wife, his friend, his son . . . but he's conflicted about how he feels toward his namesake. Has he ever really loved him? Has he forgiven him for his callowness -- a lack of feeling? He can't help but feel affection for this boy/man, but it competes with an intense sense of justice.

He's living with the possibility of his heart giving out at any moment. But it's no different than anyone else's reality. We're all a heartbeat away.

One can't help but think of the old hymn, There is a Balm in Gilead, and the line "that soothes the sin sick soul." I regret that we didn't talk about the significance of biblical references to Gilead during our discussion. Anyone want to chime in?