The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage

In this work, Richard Rohr explores how the writings of the Hebrew prophets offer guidance for living compassionately in times of violence and injustice. Drawing on biblical scholarship, Rohr examines lesser-read books of the Bible to show how the prophets' messages remain relevant today. Rohr traces a pattern in the prophets' writings: their initial anger and accusatory language evolve into profound lamentation about human suffering and the world's condition. Through cultural and institutional critique, the prophets move from anger to sadness and ultimately to compassion. Rohr calls this approach "sacred criticism"—a way of confronting evil and injustice that recognizes the interconnectedness of all beings, the wholeness of history, and universal divine love. He argues that Jesus follows this same pattern. The book addresses how to respond to private disappointment and anger in an unjust world, drawing on ancient prophetic wisdom to illuminate a path forward for contemporary readers seeking compassionate living.