Celebrating Sundays

Book excerpt: Celebrating Sundays provides readings from the Christian tradition that offer commentary on every Sunday Gospel reading in the three year lectionary. In the middle of the sixth century, St Benedict wrote ‘Let the inspired books of both the Old and the New Testaments be read at Vigils, as also commentaries on them by the most eminent orthodox and catholic fathers’ (Rule of Benedict, IX) and this set the pattern for worship and preaching which prevails today. All the great patristic names are included here: Augustine, Bede, Ambrose, Gregory the Great, Aelred, John Scotus Erigena, Origen, Cyril of Alexandria and dozens besides. An invaluable companion for preachers and for personal reflection on the Sunday lections, this makes an ideal gift for confirmation, ordination and anniversaries of priesthood.