Posted February 18, 2014 Book: Honoring the Void: Meditations on the Meaning of Life from Maryknoll Magazine Author: Joseph R. Veneroso Orbis Books. Maryknoll, NY. 2013. Pp. 167 An Excerpt from the Jacket: Almost half a million people read the bimonthly Maryknoll Magazine, and among their favorite features are the photo-meditations of Maryknoll Father Joseph Veneroso. This beautiful collection brings together some of his most inspiring reflections, each of them revealing our purpose, from birth through life, to death and eternal life, through all our days. The underlying theme of all these reflections is the Incarnation, and how we encounter God in the gift of humanity. An Excerpt from the Book: Minding One's Business Amid the myriad hurrying, nameless Commuters and travelers Ever so eager to get someplace else I saw him there out of the corner of my eye Against an out-of-the-way-wall At the entrance to Grand Central Terminal. He had a shoeshine stand With customers enthroned above Like monarchs and potentates Or at least like people important enough To pay to have their footwear polished. He was an older man by the looks of his gray hair. But his smile made him seem eternally young. I watched transfixed as he shined each shoe With the attention, devotion and talent Of a Michelangelo and with no less pride In his accomplishments Never before or since have I seen such total dedication To the task at hand, nor such absolute absorption As if, unlike all others, he indeed was Exactly where he wanted to be and Doing exactly what he wanted to do. Then I saw his patrons put aside their Times To chat awhile with the common laborer As if, in his own quiet way and by minding his own business He had already attained what they so desperately sought. Table of Contents: A prayer for families Blessing in disguise Christmas pageant Cloud of witnesses Clues to mission Come to God, Go to the World Daystar of Holy Joy Defiant hope Dignity redefined Glorious diminishment God knows Here I stand Holy mentor Home to paradise Honoring the void Hymn to our alien God Litany of freedom Minding one's business Mystery in the flesh Our poor excuse Our Lady of Liberation Prayer for justice Prayer for protection from daisies Prayer to God of creation Remembering to give thanks Song of the Divine Physician Springtime of promise The fourth commandment The Legacy of 9/11 The road to lasting peace Time in sync Transplanting your heart Visit of the Magi Who are my neighbors? Who? Me? Witness of life Women of the reign