"This book was born of the belief that there is nothing more essential to ongoing renewal in the church than quality preaching. Liturgical renewal has had its peaks and valleys, but in the main has had a remarkable measure of success. Serious doubts remain, however, about the overall effectiveness of preaching. And yet if, as the Second Vatican Council exhorted, the treasures of God's word are to enrich continually the lives of the faithful, this will be done principally through the Sunday homily. The homily is a privileged moment. From the preached word, the people are led to apply the teaching of scripture to their daily life and thereby grow in the Lord. But the homily should also be a moment of education in understanding the meaning of God's word, especially in light of the notable gains made in biblical studies in the last fifty years. As much as we may applaud the idea of the ongoing formation and education of the laity, the fact is that the great majority of people will be formed not by classes but by the Sunday homily.
"There is a second reason for which this book was written. Today the Sunday lectionary is used by many parishes as the basis for catechetics. By using the scriptures as the principal source, students are brought into direct contact with the word and from there, over the three year cycle, the full body of Catholic teaching is set forth. The catechist then, as well as the homilist, will find here a condensed commentary on each of the Sunday's readings and the psalm. A suggested theme is given for each Sunday or feast day, followed by a brief summary of the content of the three readings, pointing up the weave that unites them. After the commentary on the readings, there is a meditative reflection which is not intended as the 'raw material' of the homily or class but simply to open doors and to serve as a stimulus for the reader's own reflection. Finally there is a list of homiletic and catechetical suggestions drawn up to be of help to both preacher and teacher, but with a special eye to the needs of the catechist in relating the Sunday readings to a number of areas of biblical and church teaching.
"For the major liturgical seasons, the theme of the Sunday is derived from a consideration of all three readings. For the Sundays of the Year, the first and third readings present the principal theme of the day. The second reading, drawn from the epistolary literature and selected on other premises, does not usually have a clear connection with the major theme. However, the homilist may well decide to construct the homily around the readings of the epistle on particular Sundays.
Includes:
"As every preacher knows, finding a good lead for a homily can be like manna from heaven. That's the value of this new commentary on the Sunday Lectionary. Faley not only explains the meaning of the Lectionary passages with the sure touch of an experienced biblical scholar, but he also summarizes in a practical and fresh way key ideas for preaching. " - Donald Senior, President, Catholic Theological Union
"Fr. Faley, whose scholarship has won him wide respect, demonstrates in this new commentary a twin sensitivity to the cycle of our liturgical year and to the round of readings that shape our reflection in the liturgy." - WILLIAM H. KEELER, Archbishop of Baltimore
"Fr. Faley helps us follow ct pastoral or religious theme threading its way through each Sunday's readings. He shows us how to link the Sunday homily with other catechetical projects in the parish, school, or religious community." - CARROLL STUHLMUELLER, C.P., Catholic Theological Union
"A special feature of his work is that at the conclusion of each Sunday's readings Faley lists slx or eight or ten theological themes which invite a clear interpretive focus.' - Walter Bruggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary.
"Roland Faley presents us with a very usable and contemporary commentary, while still founded in good scholarship and cultural understanding." - Richard Rohr, OFM, Center for Action and Contemplation.
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