Karl A. Schultz

Designed for sufferers, care-givers, twelve-step program participants, persons angry with God, and individuals interested in spiritual and personal growth, Where is God When You Need Him? explores the book of Job for insights into the mystery of suffering, and shows how the paschal mystery constitutes the only ultimately satisfying response. It uses the Benedictine model of holistic spiritual reading known as lectio divina to show readers how to apply the speeches and events in Job to personal circumstances in everyday life.

The appendix contains an article on lectio divina by ecumenical leader and biblical scholar Cardinal Carlo Martini, S.J. His books and lectures on lectio divina have helped people throughout the world rediscover this ancient spirituality practice and integrate it into their daily life.
 
The sequel to Where is God When You Need Him? is The Art and Vocation of Caring for People in Pain (Paulist Press.) Originally they were one book, but for publishing purposes were split into two.

The Art and Vocation of Caring for People in Pain shows how the book of Job is a model of good and bad care-giving, and how it dramatizes the language and stages of suffering and care-giving. It demonstrates how lectio divina and logotherapy, the psychology of meaning, can be helpful tools for both care-givers and sufferers, and explores the importance of trust, humor, and integrity for both professional and family care-givers.
       
The appendix contains an article on lectio divina by Fr. Luke Dysinger, O.S.B., a classical scholar and M.D. who has taught lectio divina to monks and laypersons around the world. Fr. Luke discusses the historical background and development of lectio divina, along with guidelines for practicing it properly. Using helpful flowcharts, the article shows how to utilize lectio divina in a group Bible-sharing context, and how to apply lectio divina to significant events in one's personal and faith history. 
 
A compact disc containing Job-based meditations on silence, denial and isolation, anger, depression, bargaining, acceptance, and reconciliation, accompanied by classical piano, can be purchased from Genesis Personal Development Center.
 
An compact disc or audiocassette containing an eighty or ninety minute dialogue on lectio divina by Karl A. Schultz and Fr. Andrew Campbell, O.S.B., Ph.D., director of the Communications Department at St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, is also available from Genesis Personal Development Center.
For details, contact Genesis Center at the email address karlaschultz@​juno.com or call (412) 766-7545.
 
Another Job-and lectio divina-based book, Journaling with Moses and Job, is highlighted briefly in the Selected Works discussion of Calming the Stormy Seas of Stress.