Brent Gordon, SJ

“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson was published 135 years ago and its big reveal is well-known. Why read something when we already know the ending – the overall message? This entry in “Fantasy, Fiction, and Faith” addresses this as well as what Jekyll and Hyde can teach us about recognizing friendship, responsibility, and the nature of God’s love.

“Beowulf,” the Old English epic, received a fresh take in a new translation by Maria Dahvana Headley. It’s astounding from the very first word. Reading this updated classic raises many questions. Are we victims of fate or benefactors of Divine Providence? What makes a good person? And how do we translate ancient texts, like Beowulf or even Scripture, into modern language?

Fantasy and the imagination have much to contribute to our religious experience. We’re excited to announce this new series, “Fantasy, Fiction, and Faith,” that will examine imaginative literature from the lens of faith.

As we conclude Jesuit Vocations Month, here is one Jesuit’s reflection on the Brother vocation and how it can help us all reflect on vocations in general.

These nine rules for literary criticism provide helpful reminders for us as we engage in a reality that can so often seem unreal.