Fr. Raymond E. Brown, D.D., (1928-1998) was the Auburn Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Author of some twenty-five books on the Bible and past president of three of the most important biblical societies in the world, by appointment of two popes (Paul VI in 1972, John Paul II in 1996) he was a member of the Roman Pontifical Biblical Commission. Time magazine has called him "probably the premier Catholic Scripture scholar in the U.S."

• ContentsForeword   5Introduction Explaining This Treatment of the Liturgical Season   7Chapter 1  The Church Begins in Jerusalem (Acts 2:14-41)   13Chapter 2  The Jerusalem Church of One Mind (Acts 2:42–5:42)   22Brief Reflections on John 3 and John 6   35Chapter 3  Diversity in the Jerusalem Church; Expansion to Judea and Samaria (Acts 6–9)   41Brief Reflections on John 10 and John 12   51Chapter 4  Outreach to the Gentiles; The Church of Antioch (Acts 10–14)   54Brief Reflections on John 13–16   63Chapter 5  The Jerusalem Conference Propels the Church to the Ends of the Earth (Acts 15–28)   68Brief Reflections on John 17 and John 21   81List of Liturgical Readings Between Easter and Pentecost   83

Homilists, liturgists, and those who draw inspiration for their prayer from the lectionary texts will appreciate this concise set of reflections on the liturgical readings from Easter to Pentecost.The Bible Today