by Elizabeth A Johnson.  Published by Orbis Books, 2015.    Reviewed by Mary Betz 

Abounding in Kindness is an opportunity to jump into the theological world of Elizabeth Johnson. It is a readable feast of two dozen adapted lectures, homilies, addresses and articles from this impressively thorough, thoughtful and creative Sister of Saint Joseph and Professor of Theology.

Johnson approaches the question of "Who is God?" with big horizons, speaking of the compassion, justice and nearness — yet incomprehensibility — of the Holy One. She links how we understand God with our ability to respect the intrinsic value of the earth and cosmos, and to live deep compassion for those who are suffering. She pleads for active solidarity with the poor, transformation of hearts and structures, and living more simply. Life lived for "the glory of God" entails finding and living God’s presence — God’s reign — in earth and its people.

God’s "glory" or presence is also found in Jesus as the Wisdom of God incarnate. Like Wisdom, Jesus offers nourishment, life and justice for all. Jesus attended especially to those who suffered from illness, poverty or oppression, including treating women with dignity and respect. Johnson explores the historical and political circumstances causing Jesus’ death, rather than God’s need for sacrificial atonement. She looks with new eyes at the words, "Jesus died for us", pointing to Jesus’ life of prophetic integrity and caring ministry as benchmarks for our own.

Johnson reflects on the Spirit of God as the “Lord and Giver of Life” we proclaim in the creed, present at creation and sustaining the whole of life and the cosmos. This Creator Spirit grants freedom and autonomy to humanity, and unpredictability and self-emergence to nature, all in a vision of love for an evolving universe.

Addressing the future of the Church, Johnson recalls the caution of Gaudium et Spes that it can have a tendency “to conceal rather than reveal the authentic face of God and religion”. A Church which listens to the Spirit proclaims and makes present the God of love who is passionate for what is life-giving and just.

This rich book is to be dipped into, chapters read according to interest — God, Wisdom, Jesus, the cross, Spirit, women, Church, Mary, creation, glory, justice, the communion of saints and more. My main criticism is that some topics are explored repeatedly due to the book’s origins in separate presentations. But Elizabeth Johnson is one of Catholicism’s finest contemporary theologians, with immense knowledge of Scripture, church teaching, spirituality and theology from the early Church fathers through to today — and she shares it here with clarity and passion.