The Tears of Things:
Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage
by Richard Rohr
Reviewed by Donna Erickson Couch
“The soul must weep to be a soul at all,” writes Franciscan Father Richard Rohr in his new book, The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage. At the heart of human experience lies sadness and tragedy in almost all situations, he contends, and we must develop empathy for this reality if we are to stand against the injustices that cause it today. Returning to his lifelong stance, Rohr argues that “society is in dire need of new prophetic voices that call us to radical change, for if we do not learn to transcend our pain, we will transmit it in another form” (6).
Whose voices do we trust with so many false prophets among us? How do we discern this inner calling? How do we persuade others to change amid the plurality of angry, contrary voices shouting from social media? In his provocative and loving style, Rohr addresses these questions and challenges readers to do the same. For those of us immersed in spiritual direction, there is rich fruit to harvest from this book.
First, Rohr advises that we study the Hebrew Scripture prophets with new eyes and take a deeper dive into the texts to discern a pattern we can imitate. He offers both method and prophetic qualities to guide us. Despite pages of angry ranting and raving, the prophets always end with the great “nonetheless,” praising the merciful, loving Holy One who resides within everyone. “Rage all you want against injustice,” Rohr says, “but end each rant with the cleansing tears of love” (11). Learning this process requires time, guidance, intense listening, and honest discernment beyond ego needs—precisely the praxis of spiritual direction. Drawing on numerous examples from his personal journey, scripture, and current events, Rohr constructs a clear roadmap.
Second, Rohr encourages us to find prophetic voices in the news, in history, in family, and among friends to help us feel solidarity in mission. In this age of deceit, when it is often difficult to distinguish truth from lies, Rohr clearly defines true and false prophets. “False prophets unmask themselves when they seek attention, fame, and power. True prophets, speaking from divine urging, are usually reluctant, receive nothing in exchange for their preaching, and are widely unpopular. They take the spotlight off the individual and shine it onto the systems and institutions that perpetuate prisons of injustice” (54).
Finally, Rohr invites the spiritual seeker to embrace a more transcendent, prophetic view of the political and ecclesial arenas. Each chapter challenges the status quo and offers threads of hope in navigating the “tears of things.” Lamentations, ubiquitous in the lives of prophets, are essential. Rather than a sign of weakness, the prophets’ tears almost always dissolve into empathy and love. “It’s hard to be on the attack when you are weeping,” he states. “Tears are doorways that make us strongly empathetic, an urgent need in this ‘Age of Outrage’” (142). The title of the final chapter, “It All Comes Down to Love,” captures this truth in beautiful, inspirational language.
As a spiritual director, I will utilize and recommend this as a guidebook for navigating today’s polarized world. Tempered with tears of compassion for all humankind, Rohr remains a wise, experienced, and trusted prophetic voice.
The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage
by Richard Rohr
Alpharetta, GA:
Convergent Books, 2025
208 pages
CAD $30.55
GBP £21.99
USD $27.99
This Review Appears In
AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION + COMPANIONSHIP
Vol. 31 | No. 2 | OCT – 2025
Reviewer
Donna Erickson Couch
is a published author, spiritual director, retreat facilitator, avid reader, and innovator of rituals for small faith group communities. She lives in Southern California, and is the author of the blog, “Seeking Wisdom.”