ABOUT THE BOOK
Vatican II called the Bible “the support and energy of the Church,” “the pure and everlasting source of spiritual life,” and “the food of the soul.” Yet, for many Catholics, their engagement with Scripture is often limited to what they hear at Mass—and the dull, safe, predictable homilies that obscure rather than break open up the Word of God.
In this riveting three-part series, celebrated philosopher Peter Kreeft invites the faithful—clergy and laity alike—to a heart-to-heart relationship with Christ the Word through the Word of the Scriptures. Moving through the readings for each Sunday and other major liturgical celebrations throughout the three-year lectionary cycle, Kreeft brings the Mass readings to life with his trademark blend of gentle wit and unyielding wisdom, challenging readers to plant their souls in the rich soil of Scripture and sharpen their minds with the Sword of the Spirit.
Whether you are a layperson looking for additional insight on the readings at Mass, or a priest or deacon looking for inspiration for a homily, Food for the Soul is a gift to the whole Church from one of today’s greatest Christian writers.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
ADVENT
First Sunday of Advent
Second Sunday of Advent
Third Sunday of Advent
Fourth Sunday of Advent
CHRISTMAS TIME
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas): Vigil Mass
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas): Mass during the Night
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas): Mass at Dawn
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas): Mass during the Day
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
Second Sunday after the Nativity (Christmas)
The Epiphany of the Lord
The Baptism of the Lord
LENT
First Sunday of Lent
Second Sunday of Lent
Third Sunday of Lent
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Fifth Sunday of Lent
HOLY WEEK
Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion: Readings at the Mass
Holy Thursday
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
EASTER TIME
Easter Sunday: The Resurrection of the Lord: The Mass of Easter Day
Second Sunday of Easter (or of Divine Mercy)
Third Sunday of Easter
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Pentecost Sunday: Mass during the Day
ORDINARY TIME
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
The Solemnity of the the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peter Kreeft, PhD, Professor of Philosophy at Boston College, is one of the most widely read Christian authors of our time. He has published over eighty-five books on a vast array of topics in spirituality, theology, and philosophy. They include A Summa of the Summa, Making Sense Out of Suffering, Jesus Shock, The Philosophy of Tolkien, and Socrates Meets Jesus.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING...
“
Peter Kreeft is a most gifted theologian, but more importantly, he is a man of faith. With this latest book of reflections on the Scripture readings for Mass, he is sharing with us the lights born of a life of prayer and faithful discipleship. It is truly an expression of what Hans Urs von Balthasar called kniende theologie, ‘theology on the knees.’ In addition to the solid content, Peter Kreeft’s artfully expressed thought never fails to inspire.
”
—Cardinal Seán O’Malley
Archbishop of Boston
“
Peter Kreeft has no equal with respect to making the deepest truths shine forth with aphoristic brilliance. He is the perfect person to place in the pulpit. Kreeft on the readings for Mass is a match made in heaven.
”
—Joseph Pearce
Editor of the St. Austin Review and author of Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton
“
Reading this series is like joining the masterful Peter Kreeft for coffee after Mass to talk about the readings. It’s a wonderful resource that Catholics can pick up and return to again and again throughout the liturgical year, full of wisdom from one of the top guiding lights of our era in the Catholic world.
”
—Dr. Edward Sri
theologian and author of A Biblical Walk through the Mass
“
Unfortunately, we have written records of only seven of C.S. Lewis’ sermons. But thank God we now have dozens of reflections from Peter Kreeft, the modern C.S. Lewis, based on the Mass readings throughout the liturgical year. Kreeft’s decades of reading Scripture, teaching students, and loving wisdom shine forth in this compendium, which deserves wide readership by priests and laypeople alike. With his characteristic wit and wisdom, Kreeft offers an invaluable resource in understanding the Scriptures proclaimed in the liturgy. I hope Kreeft’s book finds its way into the hands of every Catholic eager to better understand the readings of Sunday Mass.
”
—Christopher Kaczor
Professor of Philosophy, Loyola Marymount University, and Fellow of the Word on Fire Institute
“
More than a help, this book is a gift to the Church, and the gift is an encounter with Christ, the Word. Not only for priests—although I encourage this book to be used by priests and hopefully also in seminary formation—this book is also for laity and religious. It is for anyone who is seeking to know God more profoundly through prayer and reflection on his Word, helping us in our journey to know him and discern this message of love.
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—Sr. Josephine Garrett
Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth
“
Preaching is among the most important tasks of the Church. It is the premiere form of catechesis for the average parishioner and a surefire way to inspire the hearts of God’s people. Today, the faithful are hungering for substantial homilies informed by the Scriptures and Sacred Tradition. This collection of Peter Kreeft’s biblical reflections provides Catholics with a trustworthy and insightful resource in response to this need. With his usual clarity, Kreeft guides the reader in a stirring series of reflections that will prove a valuable asset to any layperson, religious, seminarian, deacon, or priest.
”
—Fr. Blake Britton
author of Reclaiming Vatican II: What It (Really) Said, What It Means, and How It Calls Us to Renew the Church
“
Peter Kreeft’s reflections are challenging yet simple, piercing right to the soul with his wit, charm, and heart. If you’re wondering whether or not you need another book offering reflections on the Mass readings, I offer a resounding yes! These reflections show how deeply God loves us through the Word and the Church, ultimately reminding us of the simple fact that the point is not the homily or the prose—the point is Jesus.
”
—Rachel Bulman
speaker and author of Becoming Wife: Self-Gift in Matrimony