The Odyssey: Love and Pain in God's Pursuit

Is there an answer for suffering? Sometimes suffering is explicable sometimes inscrutable but even when there are no answers there are responses. The Odyssey outlines one familys journey when their five-year-old daughter suffered a severe brain injury from viral encephalitis. Along the way The Odyssey explores biblical responses to suffering including laments Jobs suffering faith healing the devil natural evil discipleship the ways Gods glory may be revealed in suffering and how we can bear each others burdens. The Odyssey is not an easy path through suffering but an open and honest account of struggles buoyed by Jesuss presence reflecting the love and pain experienced in Gods pursuit. Joe Gonnella invites us into a spiritual odyssey with his daughters life-changing brain injury. He finds markers for the journey in the Biblical words of Job the Psalms the writings of Paul and the teachings of Jesus . . . It is a story of faith told without pretense. As a pastor I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a studied and thoughtful guide for their own journeys into lifes inevitable questions of Why? and How? --Rory Swenson Lead Pastor Advent United Methodist Church Eagan Minnesota Joseph Gonnellas daughter Sarah was a healthy quiet little girl. Then suddenly at age five she ended up on life support and suffered brain damage. She was left thereafter with profound disabilities. Through The Odyssey Sarahs story is woven together with Josephs exploration of theology the Bible and suffering. This is a fascinating head-and-heart personal account of ongoing faith even in the midst of a major lifelong challenge. --Duane Paetznick Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church Apple Valley Minnesota Joseph Gonnella is retired following a career as a bond lawyer in private and public practice. He lives with his wife and dog in the Twin Cities area and spends his time tutoring and writing amid more frivolous pursuits.