The Spiritual Wisdom of the Gospels for Christian Preachers and Teachers: On Earth as It Is in Heaven - Year A

by John Shea

Overview

With a goal of transcendent awareness, John Shea presents this commentary on the Sunday Gospel readings for those who are drawn to the spiritual wisdom of the Gospels. Ideal for Christian preachers and teachers, and Christians who meditate on the Gospels, Shea's book takes a literary-spiritual approach. He analyzes the mindsets of characters and how Jesus complimented, critiqued, praised these mindsets, to inspire meditation, reflection, and spiritual development. On Earth as It Is in Heaven, Year A is the first book of a four-volume set, The Spiritual Wisdom of the Gospels for Christian Preachers and Teachers. This set is a lectionary-based resource that references both Roman Catholic and Revised Common Lectionaries, making it useful and interesting to various Christian denominations. A Scripture index makes Shea's insightful reflections accessible for personal reflection on the Gospel texts as well as other uses outside of liturgical preparation. With wisdom relevant to our contemporary world, The Spiritual Wisdom of the Gospels for Christian Preachers and Teachers: On Earth as It Is in Heaven will find its way to the top of your resource list.

John Shea, STD, is a theologian and storyteller who lectures nationally and internationally on storytelling in world religions, faith-based health care, contemporary spirituality, and the spirit at work movement. He has published thirteen books and lives in Chicago, Illinois.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814629130
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	08/01/2004
Series:	Spiritual Wisdom of Gospels for Christian Preachers and Teac , #1
Pages:	332
Product dimensions:	6.04(w) x 9.07(h) x 0.85(d)

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Contents
Acknowledgments   vii
Preface
     Writing this Resource   xi
Introduction
     Preaching and Teaching the Gospels as Spiritual Wisdom   1
First Sunday of Advent
     Staying Awake in Everyday Life   25
Second Sunday of Advent
     Leading the Heart   30
Third Sunday of Advent
     Opening to Wholeness   37
Fourth Sunday of Advent
     Making a Home for Spirit   43
The Baptism of the Lord
     Awakening to Love   49
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time / Second Sunday after Epiphany
     Tracking Testimony   55
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time / Third Sunday after Epiphany
     Following Fascination   63
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
     Uncovering Blessedness   67
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
     Becoming Salt   73
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Sixth Sunday after Epiphany / Proper 1 
     Working on Yourself  76
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time / Seventh Sunday after Epiphany / Proper 2
     Cultivating Cleverness   83 
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Eighth Sunday after Epiphany / Proper 3
     Beholding Birds and Flowers   88
Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Ninth Sunday after Epiphany / Proper 4
     Withstanding Storms   93
Transfiguration Sunday
     Visiting the Mountain   97
First Sunday of Lent
     Knowing Who You Are   103
Second Sunday of Lent (Revised Common Lectionary)
     Serving Spirit through Theology   108
Third Sunday of Lent
     Disappearing into the Fullness of Joy   116
Fourth Sunday of Lent
     Completing Creation   130
Fifth Sunday of Lent
     Causing and Consoling Grief   142
Second Sunday of Easter
     Resurrecting with Questions   155
Third Sunday of Easter
     Sacrificing into Life   166
Fourth Sunday of Easter
     Entering through the Gate of Christ   177
Fifth Sunday of Easter
     Calming Troubled Hearts   182
Sixth Sunday of Easter
     Dancing Beyond Death   186
Seventh Sunday of Easter
     Finishing Life   191
Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 5
     Learning the Meaning of Mercy   197
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 6
     Protesting the Way Things Are  203 
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 7
     Choosing to Speak the Truth Despite Suffering   207
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 8
     Prioritizing Love   214
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 9
     Experiencing Rest   218
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 10
     Loving the Listener   225
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 11
     Progressing Humiliation by Humiliation   230
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 12
     Selling with Joy   236
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 13
     Maximizing Assets   241
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 14
     Sinking with Courage   246
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 15
     Doing What It Takes   252
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 16
     Getting It Right   257
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 17
     Finding and Losing Life   262
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 18
     Reconciling with Spirit and Skill   267
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 19
     Bestowing the Future   272
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 20
     Comparing Salaries   279
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 21
     Changing Our Minds   286
Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 22
     Wanting It All   291 
Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 23
     Marrying the Son   297
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 24
     Avoiding Traps   302
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 25
     Returning to Love   306
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 26
     Practicing and Repenting   310
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 27
     Lighting Your Own Lamp   314
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time / Proper 28
     Fearing God   319
Christ the King / Proper 29
     Caring Without Calculation   325
Scripture Index   330

Editorial Reviews

. . . a valuable resource for anyone searching for wisdom as it is revealed in the Gospels. Jesus’ compassion and unconditional love and mercy are thoughtfully and spiritually presented with a sound foundation in Scriptural knowledge and a fresh perspective in the spiritual wisdom of those Scriptures. This resource would be beneficial for teachers of Scripture and for personal or small group studies.
Catholic Education


Shea focuses on the conversational patterns that communicate spiritual wisdom. In particular, he pays attention to the art of Jesus’ teaching style, how he gears what he says to the mindsets of people, and how he marshals his rhetoric in the service of breakthroughs in consciousness.
New Testament Abstracts


Billed as a resource for Christian preachers and teachers, this commentary has potential as a resource for small faith communities, RCIA groups, faith based counseling, and as a tool for spiritual direction and spiritual mentoring. We can eagerly await the next three volumes.
Catholic Books Review


. . .bring[s] the spiritual wisdom of the gospels into dialogue with contemporary life.
Theology Digest


Although your library may be bulging with gospel commentaries, this book will help you make the word come alive. It is a must.
Tidings


Prayerful meditation on the word of God is a way to spiritual wisdom. I will be looking forward to the next three books to complete this series.
Catholic Library World


The strength of this text is its literary approach . . . a second strength of the text is the author’s genius for theological reflection . . . a third strength of this commentary is the spiritual wisdom that is imparted. This commentary has potential as a resource for small faith communities, RCIA groups, faith based counseling, and as a tool for spiritual direction and spiritual mentoring. We can eagerly await the next three volumes.
Catholic Studies


An invaluable resource for presiders and people, parents, teachers, catechists, and all who desire the Spirit's 'pleasure, passion, and purpose' in their lives.
Prairie Messenger

From the Publisher