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
Sales rank:	532,549
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

	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 Sundary 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