Spiritual Wisdom Of The Gospels For Christian Preachers and Teachers: Feasts, Funerals, And Weddings

John (Jack) Shea is a consultant with decades of experience in providing theological and formation services to parishes and faith-based organizations. He has published over twenty books of theology and spirituality (including Liturgical Press’s popular Spiritual Wisdom of the Gospels series), three novels, and three books of poetry. He lectures nationally and internationally on storytelling in world religions, faith-based health care, contemporary spirituality, and the spirit work movement. Visit jackshea.org to learn more.

• ContentsAcknowledgments   ixPrefacePartnering   xiFeastsThe Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin MaryScratching in the Earth   3Christmas: Midnight, Dawn, DayUnfolding Revelation   9Christmas: MidnightSeeing Haloes   15Christmas: DawnFinding the Child   25Christmas: DayDefying the World   30The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and JosephGrowing in Age, Wisdom, and Grace   41Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of GodResolving to Be New   51The Epiphany of the LordExchanging Gifts   56The Baptism of the LordBabysitting the Children of God   63Ash WednesdayRemembering Death   74Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion: At the Procession with PalmsConsoling Sorrow   80Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion: At the Mass—Year ADeveloping Providentially   87Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion: At the Mass—Year BRejecting Rescue   93 Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion: At the Mass—Year CGoing Within to Go Without   102Holy ThursdayServing Others out of Gratitude to God   111Good FridayExempting No One   125Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter—Year ARolling Back the Rock   148Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter—Year BDying and Dancing   153Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter—Year CBreaking Through to Resurrection  161Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord at the Mass of Easter DayFollowing Love into Mystery   165The Ascension of the LordLeaving and Staying   180PentecostThirsting for Spirit   186Solemnity of the Most Holy TrinityEscaping Individualism   198Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of ChristBreaking Bodies and Pouring Out Blood   206Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of JesusSpeaking from the Heart   215The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MaryDiscerning the Word   226All SaintsConverting to Love   232 The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)Belonging to a Past People   237(Christ the King / Reign of Christ, see the final entries in Years A, B, and C volumes)FuneralsPrescribing Consciousness   243Grieving   250Remembering   257Hoping   265WeddingsSaying “I”   277Dwelling in Spiritual Communion   281Incarnating Spiritual Communion   286Scripture Index   291

This is the fourth and final volume of a series on the lectionary that is intended to provide food for thought and preaching. Shea is a nationally known spiritual guide whose writing is at once inspiring and provocative. In this volume he provides commentary on the readings for major festivals (e.g., Christmas, Lent Easter, Pentecost) and for weddings and funerals. His method is not a verse-by-verse commentary on the biblical passages (although he draws on sound biblical interpretation) but meditative essays prompted by the readings. Preachers will find a lot of great homily leads here and so, too, will any reader seeking some good spiritual nourishment.The Bible Today