This work provides about one page of commentary per reading. It is designed to give students and preachers a deeper understanding of the Biblical background, rather than giving preaching tips.

In "Life in Christ" Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher to the papal household, presents a project ofre-evangelization and spiritual renewal based on St. Paul's Letter to the Romans. It is therefore neither an exegetical commentary nor a theological treatise, but goes straight to the heart of what animated the Apostle when he wrote this letter. His aim was not to give the Christians of Rome - and the Christians of later generations - a difficult text on which to exercise their critical wisdom but rather to impart a spiritual gift to them so that they would be strengthened and mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

At the beginning of the third millennium a new phenomenon is spreading through the Christian Churches which can only be the work of the Holy Spirit. Up to now Christians of different denominations have proclaimed Jesus Christ mainly in competition and rivalry with one another, thus compromising our testimony in the eyes of the world. Why should we not grasp this unique occasion to start proclaiming together with brotherly love our common belief in Christ, which is far more important than what still separates us? Pope John Paul II has espoused this project and has expressed the wish that all Christians take this opportunity for fruitful cooperation in the many areas which unite us; these are unquestionably more numerous than those which divide us."

"Life in Christ" is a contribution to the realization of this project. Father Cantalamessa has made the most of the insights and riches present in each one of the three main Christian traditions: Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant, avoiding those points not commonly shared by all believers in Christ, or at least by the majority of them. The Letter to the Romans lends itself to this aim because it deals with the basics of the Christian faith, leaving all the rest aside. It is the ideal basis for that "Common Witness" which is becoming more and more central to ecumenical dialogue. This is, therefore, a first and "partial" attempt to present a spirituality and a proclamation corresponding to the new grace of understanding and unity given to the Christians in the second half of this century.

Chapters are "Loved by God " "all Have Sinned," "The Righteousness of God Has Been Manifested " "He Was Put to Death for Our Trespasses," "He Was Raised for Our Justification," "God Did Not Spare His Own Son," "Let Not Sin Reign in Your Mortal Bodies " "The Law of the Spirit Which Gives Life," "The Spirit Intercedes for Us," "Let Love Be Sincere," "Don't Think Too Highly of Yourselves," "By One Man's Obedience," and "Let Us Put on the Armor of Light."

"Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap, is a past professor of the history of Christian origins at the Catholic University of Milan and a member of the International Theological Commission. He is preacher to the papal household and the author of "The Mystery of Pentecost," "Easter in the Early Church"; "The Eucharist: Our Sanctification"; "The Mystery of God's Word"; "The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus"; "Jesus Christ, The Holy One of God"; "Mary, Mirror of the Church"; "The Mystery of Christmas"; and "The Mystery of Easter" published by The Liturgical Press.""

In introducing eight new eucharistic prayers, "Common Worship" has focused fresh attention on the most central act of Christian worship. This text offers a wealth of information on both the words and actions of the Eucharist. Part one focuses on the content of the Eucharist, from the opening greeting to the final blessing and dismissal. Each stage of the service is explored from a biblical and historical perpective and readers discover how the Eucharist has evolved from the days of the Early Church. Part two focuses on the actions of the Eucharist: the posture and movement of the celebrant and participants, ceremonial, symbolism, the role of memory, essentials and variables in the rite. Part Three explores the eight different Eucharistic prayers of "Common Worship", their distinctive styles, provenance, theological features and pastoral uses.

The essays in "Psalms and Practice" explore how the notion of practice helps contemporary readers understand psalms in a new way. Practice, according to the authors, happens as faith seeks understanding through spiritual disciplines. These practices continue the work of the Holy Spirit - faith seeking understanding, understanding seeking embodiment through practice, and practice nurturing faith.

Practice and the psalms are never far from the formation of the soul which takes place in a number of ways. The essays in "Psalms and Practice" look at three aspects of formation: prayer, how the psalms shape our faith through the process of liturgy, and how the psalms shape the preached word.

Formation then occurs in contemplation, liturgy, and preaching, but it occurs in other action as well. "Psalms and Practice" also explores those elements of practice and the psalms by looking at the practice of translation as a way of practicing the psalms and examining other ways to relate the psalms to our modern lives.

"Psalms and Practice" is the result of conversations of scholars, who are also committed church people, at work in the field of Psalms research. These scholars came together for three days to share their papers and a time of prayer in both Protestant and Roman Catholic traditions. The participants noted that the combination of conversation on the psalms and the practice of reading and praying the psalms in worship enriched the conversation of reading the psalms in the discussion of the papers.

Chapters in "Part I: Psalms and Practice" are Psalms, Bhajan, and Kirtan. Songs of the Soul in Comparative Perspective," *The Psalms as a Place to Begin for Old Testament Theology, - and *Power and Practice: Performative Speech and Piety in Psalm 132. - Chapters in "Part II: Psalms and Practice: Contemplation and Worship" are *Praying with Psalms: A School of Prayer, - *The Sacramental Function of the Psalms in Contemporary Scholarship and Liturgical Practice, - *Burning Our Lamps with Borrowed Oil: The Liturgical Use of the Psalms and the Life of Faith, - *My Tongue Will Sing Aloud to Your Deliverance: Praise and Sacrifice in the Psalms, - *Thus Says to the Lord: 'Thou Shalt Preach on the Psalms ' - *The Psalms in Worship and Preaching: A Report, - and *How Long, O Lord Will Your People Suffer in Silence Forever. - Chapters in "Part III: Psalms and Practice: Virtue and Authority" are *The Virtues of the Righteous in Psalm 37: An Exercise in Translation, - *The Cursing Psalms as a Source for Blessing, - *al God and Also Us: Double Agency and Reconciliation in Psalms 22 and 51, - *Songs for the City: Interpreting Biblical Psalms in the Urban Context, - and *Taking Inspiration: Authorship, Revelation, and the Book of Psalms. -

Contributors are Dorothy Bass; Terry Muck; W. H. Bellinger, Jr.; Stephen Breck Reid; John C. Endres, S.J.; Harry P. Nasuti; Rolf Jacobson; Kathryn L. Roberts; J. Clinton McCann, Jr.; James C. Howell; Beth LaNeel Tanner; Michael Jinkins; Larry Silva; Cynthial. Rigby; Gerald H. Wilson; and Mark S. Smith.

"Stephen Breck Reid is a professor of Old Testament studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas. He is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren and is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Catholic Biblical Association, and the Society for the Study of Black Religion. He has authored four other books and numerous articles.""

A resource to deepen the understanding of the Eucharist, this companion contains the full text of "Common Worship" Order One and the different eucharistic prayers with explanatory notes throughout. Fuller explanations of key biblical and theological subjects are included.

How should the Eucharist be celebrated? What is the connection between the celebration of the Eucharist and the rest of our lives? In this book leading writers associated with the Affirming Catholicism movement present markersfor 'best practice' in the new era of common Worship. Each contributor discussed a different part of the eucharist liturgy in turn, not only deepening our understanding of it but helping us to live it with joy.

Is it ever appropriate for non-Catholic Christians to receive Holy Communion at a Catholic Mass? What should a pastor do to preserve the holiness and the purpose of Communion? What happens when a non-Catholic receives Holy Communion? How should a Catholic pastor respond to non-Catholics who wish to have communion without conveying harshness, scrupulosity, legalism, or rudeness? Intended to help Christians recognize the present provisional norms and to see new possibilities in eucharistic sharing, Communion with Non-Catholic Christians examines the risks, challenges, and opportunities involved in the admission of communion to non-Catholic Christians. Communion with Non-Catholic Christians begins by defining eucharistic sharing. It assists Catholics and non-Catholics in understanding the present discipline of eucharistic sharing or receiving Holy Communion outside of one's own church. Secondly, it looks at what caution should be taken in eucharistic sharing, the values at stake, and the reasons for more open eucharistic sharing for Christian unity. Finally, it looks at the opportunities in eucharistic sharing and the possibility of full communion. By focusing on liturgical law and pastoral practices, this book moves the discussion of the admission of communion forward to new possibilities for growth in communion. Chapters are: "What is Eucharistic Sharing?" ?Risks, or Some Reasons for Caution in Eucharistic Sharing,? ?Challenges, or Some Reasons for a More Open Eucharistic Sharing,? and ?Opportunities, or Sharing the Eucharist in Hope for Full Communion.?

Presents the complete Common Worship lectionary readings, printed out in full from the NRSV translation of the Bible. Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel readings are provided for the Principle, Second and Third Services, making this an essential resource for worship. The Bible texts are clearly laid out with introductions and closing responses included as appropriate, making this an ideal volume for reading aloud.

Delves into the biblical origin for each of these masterpieces of God's love.Gray guides readers through the Gospels, showing Christ's deliberate acts to inaugurate these sacred signs as the foundation of the New Covenant.

The authors provide an overview of Reformed faith and spirituality, revealing how it constantly merges tradition with the ever-changing culture of the church community. Outlining the history, theology and rationale of the faith in detail, the book also includes practical discussions of the Church sacraments and ordinances, providing helpful suggestions and resources for their renewed relevance in services today. The book is a useful resource for all who are seriously seeking to understand the Reformed heritage and its value for present-day worship.

Since the Common Worship Lectionary first came into use, many short preaching aids have been published. They have ranged from brief notes to almost complete sermons. This new companion offers an understanding of some points of significance in each lection for every Sunday and for other major days. It combines the latest scholarship with the conviction that the text should address today's world, squarely facing up to the difficulties that some passages may present to modern congregations. It does not aim to provide a substitute for sermon preparation, but to stimulate reflection among those engaged in this work. This is a serious academic commentary on the readings, by scholars who are also aware of the demands and purposes of preaching. The book provides the academic background knowledge essential for interpreting the texts; does not shirk difficult questions; stimulates the prospective preacher to see new ways of reading the text; covers the Anglican variations not dealt with in American commentaries.

Encourages openness of heart & hand based on Jesus' teachings about wealth and attitude to money. Offers many creative ideas for teaching & preaching on this theme & provides imaginative worship resources that can be reproduced freely in service sheets.

For each Sunday of the year there is a brief commentary and reflection, taken from the author's weekly "Church Times" column, on the Common Worship lectionary readings. Each section gives the lectionary references and provides a starting-point for thinking about the readings, drawing out points of connection between them. The book can be used in preparation for Sunday worship, or by anyone who wants regular and straightforward Bible study throughout the year, or even for sermon preparation. The pieces are clear and grounded in first-class scholarship, but wear their learning lightly, as is appropriate for this readership. The book covers all Sundays in the year, using track 1 (Daily Eucharistic Lectionary) for the Sundays after Trinity.

Why, from its very beginnings, has the Church celebrated the sacraments, in particular baptism and Eucharist? Why, from its origin, has faith in Christ, which is expressed in a human, free, just, loving way of living, ruled by the gospel, also been expressed in the language of rites?

"The Sacraments" by Louis-Marie Chauvet offers reflections on the theology, celebration, and pastoral usage of the sacraments. It is a textbook version of Chauvet's, "Symbol and Sacrament" published by The Liturgical Press in 1995 that was acclaimed by theologians as offering a fresh theology of the sacraments from a perspective other than scholastic theology.

"Fr. Louis-Marie Chauvet is a professor of sacramental theology at the Institut Catholique, Paris. He has published numerous works and is the author of "Symbol and Sacrament" also published by The Liturgical Press."

Stookey seeks to relieve the anxiety of inexperienced leaders of public prayer and the discomfort of those with and for whom they pray in this practical guide to the art of praying in public.

The book has three parts. First, Stookey offers reflections on the nature of prayer, utilizing the image of a flow of energy. Second, he discusses the forms, mechanics, and vocabularies of prayer. His analysis brims with insight and practical application. Third, and most importantly, he provides concrete exercises in editing prayers. The reader is challenged to mark prayer texts and then to compare her or his own work with the author's as Stookey points out the particular issues that the exercises highlights.

The book is clearly organized, economically written, and easy to use. Those who read carefully and complete the exercises will gain significant experience in crafting prayers to which the whole congregation can respond with an enthusiastic "Amen."

A knowledgeable liturgical theologian and historian proposes the lines of a Christian worldview that can inform liturgical renewal.

This well-written and engaging book explores the effects of the rush to adopt new, "contemporary" styles of worship by many Protestant congregations. As churches try to reach the unchurched and draw new members, they often adapt their worship until it becomes nothing more than a Spirit-less reflection of popular culture, A. Daniel Frankforter argues. The book discusses some of the different programs for "marketing" worship, explores the implications for the integrity of a church's mission and spiritual life, and proposes some alternative means for rejuvenating worship.

Here are  prayers and meditations for parents and others who strive to instill values of faith, integrity, compassion, and service in our children at a time when these ideas are threatened by commercialism and violence. With warmth and conviction, Edleman shares his own prayers as well as inspirational readings from others.  Turn in this book for guidelines and support--again and again.

This second collection of approximately 100 piggyback songs for preschool children differs from the first collection by using new texts never published before. While the texts are based on Scripture and themes such as God's love, friends, and so forth, the tunes are familiar children's songs such as "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" or "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." The words are written around a story, character, or theme, and are created to fit a popular tune. Piggyback songs are popular to use with preschool children's choirs, vacation Bible school, and children's Sunday school settings, and with teachers who are not overly musically inclined. For ages 3-7. Key Benefits: * Allows teachers to be comfortable with music because of the use of familiar tunes * Fun for children because they already know the tune of the new song * Songs included for all parts of the Bible

Are we becoming a nation of moral illiterates? These brief sketches with accompanying discussion questions challenge young people to consider their own value system. What about cheating, rationalizing one's behavior, setting personal goals, using your God-given talents, gambling, self-discipline, the desire for wealth, facing temptation? These scence are the perfect tools for helping youth deal with their personal struggles.

The voices of liturgical theology in the twentieth century are many and varied. Primary Sources of Liturgical Theology brings together in one volume the representative writings of scholars throughout the Euro-North American context whose insights have shaped our understanding of liturgy today. The selections in Primary Sources of Liturgical Theology are arranged around nine seminal questions which students of liturgical theology need to engage. Each selection is introduced and contextualized by another liturgical theologian. Through this first-hand encounter with primary sources readers will develop a sense of the broad range of writings available to them. Chapters are What Is Liturgical Theology?" "What Is Liturgy?" "How Can We 'Do' Liturgical Theology?" "How Are Theology and Liturgy Related?" "How Does Liturgy Embody Theological Themes?" "What Is the Theological Function of Liturgical Language and Ritual?" "What Is the Role of the Word in Liturgy?" "How Do Liturgical Theologians Engage Cultural Diversity?" "How Are Liturgy and Life Related?" Includes an alphabetical list of primary contributors and a chronological index of major entries by date of original publication. Contributors to Primary Sources of Liturgical Theology are Peter Brunner; Odo Casel, O.S.B.; Louis-Marie Chauvet; Anscar J. Chupungco, O.S.B.; Mary Collins, O.S.B.;Irenee Henri Dalmais, O.P.; Ruth C. Duck; Justo L. Gonzalez; Romano Guardini; Angelus A. Haussling, O.S.B.; Mary Catherine Hilkert, O.P.; Lawrence A. Hoffman; Paul Waitman Hoon; Aidan Kavanagh,O.S.B.; Edward J. Kilmartin, S.J.; Gordon W. Lathrop; L. Edward Phillips; David N. Power, O.M.I.; Gail Ramshaw; Don E. Saliers; Alexander Schmemann; Robert F. Taft, S.J.; Harold Dean Trulear; Evelyn Underhill; Dwight W. Vogel; Jean Jacques von Allmen; Geoffrey Wainwright; and Joyce Ann Zimmerman, C.PP.S. Dwight W. Vogel is professor of theology and ministry and dean of the chapel at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary where he coordinates the doctoral program in liturgical studies.

Recent years have seen an unprecedented period of reform in the public worship of the Catholic Church. Controversy over liturgical reform was focused in England by an international conference in 1996, which led to the formation of a Liturgy Forum and the issuing of the Oxford Declaration on Liturgy. This book represents all the key elements from that important conference.

A resource to inform, inspire and challenge, Word in Our Time is written for all who take part in worship to help them engage more deeply with the Scripture readings of the day. Preachers will find it an invaluable resource which enables them to make links between the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel texts, bring out their essential message and relate them to the experience and needs of the congregation. In addition to pithy and informed commentary on the principal service readings for each Sunday and major holy day in Year C, the year of Luke, many practical preaching' helps are also included: information on biblical or historical background, variations in interpretation, illustrative quotes and points for application. Those who read in church will be helped by a better understanding what the biblical writers were saying, and for all who prepare for worship by prayerful reading of the lessons for the day, Word in Our Time provides many thoughtful and stimulating insights which will encourage fuller integration between our worship, celebration, learning, spiritual formation and daily living.

Presents the complete Common Worship lectionary readings, printed out in full from the NRSV translation of the Bible. Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel readings are provided for the Principle, Second and Third Services, making this an essential resource for worship. The Bible texts are clearly laid out with introductions and closing responses included as appropriate, making this an ideal volume for reading aloud.