Between the Ambo and the Altar: Biblical Preaching and the Roman Missal, Year C - Tapa blanda

"A groundbreaking and much needed commentary on the Sunday Liturgy that will benefit presiders, deacons, and all involved in liturgical ministry and liturgical preparation. Insightful commentaries on the Scripture readings accompanied, where appropriate, by comments on the prayers and prefaces of the day. A method for homily preparation and keen insights about the day's liturgy offered but never forced, suggestions offered but nothing demanded. This is a mature work that serves up things to ponder and pray about, that respects and even encourages the reader to go beyond what is so well stated here to serve the diversity of the Catholic parish today." Rev. Msgr. Kevin Irwin The Catholic University of America Author of "Serving the Body of Christ" "Down-to-earth, sensible, wise, inspirational, and, above all, useful advice for anyone who preaches. This fine new book, by an author known for his plainspoken approach to life, will be a boon for both pastors, preachers and anyone who considers themselves 'hearers of the word.'" James Martin, SJ, author of "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything" "A wise, timely, and practical resource for liturgical preachers! Reminding homilists that the Scriptures and the liturgy form a single banquet of the word of God, Guerric DeBona, OSB, offers a creative recipe for moving from Scripture, to liturgical texts and rituals, to the homily. The challenge for the preacher is clear: to serve 'fresh bread' rather than 'stale crumbs' to those who hunger for richer fare from the pulpit." Mary Catherine Hilkert, O.P. Professor of Theology University of Notre Dame "The title "Between the Ambo and the Altar" could have been extended to include Summoned to Mission. Fr. DeBona provides the reader not only with insights into understanding God's word, but also offers 'tactics' on how to translate the word into everyday life. What a great service this volume is to preachers and students of Scripture." Bishop Robert Morneau Auxiliary Bishop of Green Bay, Wisconsin

The publication of The Roman Missal, Third Edition offers an opportunity for homilists to explore the relationship between the Sunday readings and the new Roman Missal. Between the Ambo and the Altar is the final book (Year C) in a three-volume series that presents scriptural, liturgical, and preaching commentary for Sundays, solemnities, and feasts throughout the year. Each Sunday's resources are presented in three sections: exploring the Scripture, connecting the Lectionary with the liturgy, and a homiletic strategy. DeBona takes the preacher through a meditation on the language of the Missal, suggests parallels to the Sunday Lectionary, and gives practical homiletic strategies using core themes and images. It is hoped that the commentary advances a framework for homily preparation so that preachers might "savor the deep meaning of the word of God which unfolds each year in the liturgy" (Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini 52).