Strategies for Preaching Paul

Nothing is more central to the Church than preaching the gospel, and few have preached the gospel with the intensity and insight of St.Paul. Paul's letters play an important role in the New Testament and in the Roman Lectionary. Yet, despite their importance,Paul's teaching is seldom proclaimed from the pulpit. In Strategies for Preaching Paul, Frank Matera provides preachers with the comprehensive background needed to successfully preach the Pauline readings. More than a collection of homily hints, Strategies for PreachingPaul provides preachers with three strategies for preaching the Pauline readings in the Sunday Lectionary during Ordinary Time. It offers summaries first of the historical setting, then the literary context, and finally the theological themes of all the Pauline readings as well as the readings of the Letter to the Hebrews. Each letter is introduced by explaining the historical circumstances that caused it and its literary structure. Next, each Sunday reading is explained in light of its wider literary context and its historical background, suggesting ways in which preachers might employ the text in the Sunday homily. Finally, after considering the letter, Matera suggests the major Pauline themes of the letter that need to be preached, such as justification by faith, the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the moral life of believers. An exceptional resource for preachers, Strategies for PreachingPaul also serves as an introduction toPaul's thought. It may be used in Lectio divina to reflect upon the Sunday Pauline texts. Chapters are Paul in Ordinary Time, Year A," "Pal in Ordinary Time, Year B," "Pal in Ordinary Time, Year C," "Index of Pauline Readings," and "Index for the Sundays of Ordinary Time." Frank J. Matera, Ph.D., is a priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford. He is professor of New Testament at The Catholic University of America and the author of Galatians from the Sacra Pagina series published by The Liturgical Press.

About the Author :
Frank J. Matera was for many years the Andrews-Kelly-Ryan Professor of Biblical Studies at the Catholic University of America. A former president of the Catholic Biblical Association of America, he is presently the pastor of St. Mary's Church in Simsbury, Connecticut. He has published commentaries on Romans, Second Corinthians, and Galatians and written books on New Testament theology, New Testament Christology, New Testament ethics, and Pauline theology. Matera's previous works published by Liturgical Press include Strategies for Preaching Paul, Preaching Romans: Proclaiming God's Saving Grace, The Sermon on the Mount: The Perfect Measure of the Christian Life, and Resurrection: The Origin and Goal of the Christian Life.

Review :
Matera is a master teacher, and he has provided a wonderful resource not only for preachers but also for all who use the Sunday lectionary as a basis for prayer and Bible study. His book helps to unlock one of the church's treasures - the Pauline epistles. The biblical scholarship is sound, the writing is clear, and the homiletical insights are fresh.Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., Weston Jesuit School of Theology It offers a concise and intelligent source for sermon preparation.The Priest He notes how unfortunate it is 'that there is such silence from the pulpit when it comes to preaching from the Pauline texts.' In order to remedy that situation, he provides pastors with strategies for preaching from the Pauline readings of the Sunday Lectionary.Theology Digest Frank Matera does it again! Once again, Fr. Matera gracefully performs the difficult feat of bringing the fruits of technical exegesis to a wider audience. Priests, deacons, and lay ministers will all profit immensely from Fr. Matera's ability to make the historical Paul of the first century (and other New Testament writers traditionally associated with Paul) speak - and preach - to congregations of the twenty-first century.John P. Meier, University of Notre Dame . . . helpful both in collecting in one place brief exegesis on all these readings and in lifting up ways Paul speaks to congregations today.Currents . . . Matera can make a believer out of you. He gives preachers, catechists, RCIA ministers and others the courage and the method to use Paul's words for the pastoral purposes and needs of our day. Keep this wonderful little book handy and it will teach you to take a fresh approach to the Sunday lectionary.Liturgy Re/Sources