We have all experienced hunger, whether it’s a need for spiritual guidance or physical nutrition. Our hunger for God’s Word can benefit those needing material sustenance. God’s Word calls us to nourish the physically hungry and poor, just as it nourishes our faith and sustains us in our struggle for justice.

Hunger for the Word explores the Lectionary with a focus on anti-hunger advocacy, social activism, and political issues affecting marginalized people. Using insights, images, and stories from pastors, professors, and lay people who are active in anti-hunger campaigns, this ecumenical book offers devotional connections to inequality issues, as well as themes to help in our struggle to understand and eliminate injustice. Hunger for the Word: Year B, edited by Larry Hollar of Bread for the World, brings concern for hunger and fairness into our daily religious life.

With weekly sermon/homily reflections, Hunger for the Word is an invaluable resource for pastors, liturgical ministers and those interested in justice-oriented Bible study and spiritual growth. Also includes suggestions for musical worship, and ideas for children’s sermons to help spread God’s Word of activism, compassion, and integrity throughout the congregation. Paper, 240 pp., 6" x 9" (Item #87308) $19.95

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YEAR A (Item #83732) $19.95

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. You Give Them Something to Eat, Year B is the second 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: You Give Them Something to Eat will find its way to the top of your resource list. Paper, 360 pp., 6" x 9" (Item #86942) $29.95

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YEAR A (Item #83795) $29.95

The purpose behind Reid's work is two-fold. First, to aid preachers by bringing together current biblical research on the parables in the hope that it will open up new vistas of meaning and help spark their creativity. Second, she offers an understanding of how parables communicate, and invites preachers to try out the parabolic techniques of preaching. The Synoptic Gospels show Jesus preaching primarily by means of parables, both spoken and lived. A greater understanding of the dynamics and meaning of Jesus’ parables in their original context can aid preachers today in creating the same effect in modern believers.

In Parables for Preachers the first chapter explores the dynamics of Jesus’ parables. Understanding how a parable "works" is the first step. Chapter two sketches contemporary trends in biblical interpretation of the parables. Next is an overview of the Gospel of Mark, its author, historical context, and major theological themes. The remaining chapters examine each of the parables found in the Gospel of Mark in the order in which they appear in the Lectionary for Year B. The concluding chapter and bibliography point toward further areas of study.

Parables for Preachers is not only for preachers, but for all who are interested in a deeper understanding of parables, particularly teachers, catechists, liturgy planners, and members of groups for homily preparation, Bible study, or faith sharing. Paper, 144 pp., 5 3/8" x 8 1/4"

YEAR A (Item #87434) $14.95
YEAR B (Item #87104) $11.95
YEAR C (Item #83420) $24.95

The second readings were intended to be an independent, semi-continuous reading of the Acts of the Apostles and the letters attributed to Paul and James, with selections from Peter and the book of Revelation. In The Cultural World of the Apostles, Pilch explains that, because the readings were shortened, their brevity has deprived readers of sufficient context to interpret the text-segment in a responsible way. To help people make sense of such high-context documents, Pilch provides a broader literary context for each reading. Paper, 144 pp., 5 3/8" x 8 1/4" (Item #87927) $11.95

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YEAR A (Item #87925) $11.95
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The Cultural World of the Prophets relates the first reading and responsorial psalm to the Gospel as intended by the architects of the Lectionary. It will encourage readers to pursue further in-depth study when the opportunity presents itself and help them appreciate the specific meanings of the first reading and responsorial psalm in their own right. Paper, 144 pp., 5 3/8" x 8 1/4" (Item #87929) $11.95

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YEAR A (Item #82913) $11.95
YEAR C (Item #82910) $11.95