Some time ago, Tan Books published a series of art books entitled The Theology of Home. As a great admirer of the theology of the body, and with a strong desire to make my home a place where my family can grow in peace, wisdom and holiness, I was immediately intrigued. My lovely parents-in-law kindly gave me the first two volumes, but I must admit they were not quite what I had expected.
Perhaps the excellent upbringing I received from my parents led me to take for granted things such as thoughtfully decorating one’s home or gathering around the table together without phones. What I had hoped to find in these books was a combination of profound theology – along the lines of what John Paul II offered regarding the body – and practical guidance on how to apply those principles to everyday life: for example, how to make liturgical living tangible through the ordinary objects and traditions that shape daily family life.
