JESUS AND THE KINGDOM OF NOBODIES Stories of Compassion for Faith-Sharing and Homily Preparation Andre Papineau Paper, $23.95 136 pages, 5½" × 8½" ISBN 0-89390-514-3 Quantity:

The 16 stories presented in Jesus and the Kingdom of Nobodies have a common theme: individuals who either think of themselves or of others as nobodies. In the course of the story, Jesus or a Jesus figure enters the scene and accepts these nobodies as persons who belong to the new social order called God’s kingdom. The stories fire the imagination and work especially well for people who feel disconnected from the Gospel story. Each story is linked to the Roman lectionary and concludes with a helpful reflection.

Reviews

“Holiness is wholeness. Andre Papineau gives a respectful nod to that bit of pop wisdom and then just as respectfully (and gently) debunks it with inside-out stories of whimsical characters who stumble, bumble and ramble their way into our daydreaming, only to reveal that these characters of whimsy have all along been poignantly us. In the end, if it’s our weakness that chisels an opening for God, then holiness must be wholeness, and that’s a grace well worth the price of a story. This collection is the work of a master storyteller who robes archetypes in the clothes of pop culture.”
— Joseph J. Juknialis, author of A Whirlwind of Ash and Stories for Christian Initiation

“In these charming stories and reflections, Andre Papineau manages to illuminate some obscure passages in the New Testament while drawing parallels between situations Jesus encountered and ones we face today.”
— Russell Shorto, author of Gospel Truth: The New Image of Jesus Emerging from Science and History

“In Shakespeare’s King Lear, it was the fool who revealed the truth to those in power, who should have been in the know. Andre Papineau, playing with words and constructing myths, tells the truth and brings into focus faith stories that we are often too familiar with. Behind the humor and play is a deep seriousness.”
— Robert F. Morneau, auxiliary bishop of Green Bay, Wis.

About the Author

Andre Papineau is a Salvatorian priest and assistant professor of pastoral studies at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Franklin, Wis. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and two master’s degrees: one in theology and the other in drama. He has taught, lectured and given workshops on subjects such as depression, self-esteem, adult human development, aging and preaching. He is also a co-founder of the C.G. Jung Center in Milwaukee, Wis.