Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture (9 vols.)

Over forty years ago, the Second Vatican Council called for biblical scholars to study the languages, literature, history, and culture of the Bible while paying close attention to the unity of Scripture, the living tradition of the Church, and the analogy of faith. In this exciting new commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Curtis Mitch and Edward Sri do an outstanding job of fulfilling the biblical vision of Vatican II. For years I have wished for an up-to-date Catholic commentary on Matthew that would unite history and theology, Scripture and tradition, Old and New Testaments, Jewish roots and Christian faith. Now we have one! This extremely readable commentary should be on the shelf of any priest, deacon, seminarian, or layperson who wants to bring out ‘treasures new and old’ from the pages of the First Gospel.

—Brant Pitre, professor of Sacred Scripture, Notre Dame Seminary

Is it possible to write a historically informed commentary on the Gospel of Matthew that does not position itself skeptically vis-a-vis the claims made in the narrative? Catholic scholars have for some time been hesitant to answer yes. In this volume, Curtis Mitch and Edward Sri invite us to meet the Jesus depicted by the evangelist Matthew—to meet him in his historical context and to meet him without fear that Matthew is leading us astray. The result is like meeting Jesus again for the first time: the Jesus whom we worship in the liturgy meets us in the Gospel as the living, breathing first-century Jew who is Emmanuel, God with us.

—Matthew Levering, professor of theology, University of Dayton

This well-written book fills a very important niche in our appreciation of the Gospels. Healy combines literary sensitivity with theological vigor, resulting in a reading of Mark that puts a compelling face on the message of this Gospel.

—Gary Anderson, professor of Old Testament, University of Notre Dame

Though Mark’s Gospel is the shortest Gospel in length, it is certainly not short in profound insights on the life and teaching of Our Lord. Mary Healy plumbs the depths and unwraps the riches of this Gospel for both the serious scholar and the novice alike in her easy-to-read and lucid style. With the incisiveness of a surgeon and the clarity of a scholar, she pulls back the curtain on the first century and the ministry of Jesus Christ. This commentary on Mark will fill an important place in my library!

—Steve Ray, host of the ten-part documentary series Footprints of God: The Story of Salvation from Abraham to Augustine

Mary Healy skillfully and insightfully moves her readers to plumb the spiritual depths of Mark’s Gospel through helpful sections of ‘living tradition’ and ‘reflection and application.’ I have found her commentary a boon in homily preparation. If the other volumes in the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture live up to the high standard that Healy has attained, Catholic Christians will be enriched and grateful.

—Robert J. Karris, OFM, research professor, The Franciscan Institute, St. Bonaventure University

William Kurz, an accomplished biblical scholar, has a written a commentary on Acts that is up to date on current critical scholarship yet accessible to a wide audience of readers. Throughout the commentary one can see Kurz’s clear understanding of the relationship of Acts to the first volume by the same author, the Gospel of Luke. Kurz is always positive in dealing with problem areas of the text. This work will be especially valuable for study groups, college students, and preachers of the Word.

—Terence J. Keegan, OP, professor of theology, Providence College

Kurz sees the Acts narrative not just as a coherent story about the past—our Church’s earliest moments of evangelistic mission—but also as a mirror the contemporary Church may peer into to see its deepest identity manifested within the stories of the major figures led by God to advance the Church's mission to the ‘ends of the earth.’ It is a great service to provide a commentary that is technically pristine, theologically alert, and pastorally sensitive.

—Stephen Miletic, professor of Scripture, Theology Department, Franciscan University of Steubenville

George Montague’s First Corinthians is a great addition to the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Of all Paul’s letters, First Corinthians is the one that enables us to see the reality of a first-century Christian community and read Paul’s reflections thereon. Drawing from what Paul wrote, Montague shows the continuity between the Church of God at Corinth and the Catholic Church of the twenty-first century. It is as insightful about the one as it is the other.

—Raymond F. Collins, visiting scholar, Brown University

A blessing offered to the whole Church, Tom Stegman’s commentary presents the heart of St. Paul’s message: the fullness of God’s love for us that has opened up a new way of life, empowered by the intimate presence of the Holy Spirit, who shapes us more and more in the likeness of Christ. This inspiring book will encourage numerous Catholics and other Christians in understanding better and accepting more generously a truly Christ-centered existence.

—Gerald O’Collins, SJ, emeritus professor of theology, Pontifical Gregorian University

Thomas Stegman’s commentary on 2 Corinthians is elegant, clear, and deeply insightful. He takes one of Paul’s hardest letters and makes it intelligible. With a masterful grasp of Paul’s rhetoric, he shows readers how the apostle challenges his ancient readers—and readers today—to live out the character of Jesus Christ.

—Luke Timothy Johnson, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Candler School of Theology, Emory University

A landmark achievement in theological interpretation of Scripture in and for the Church. Everything about it is inviting and edifying. Highly recommended for all!

—Michael J. Gorman, professor of Sacred Scripture, St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore

A marvelous book—lucid, intelligent, learned, accessible, and provocative—written by a scholar who knows how to invite people into the riches of the New Testament. Presented in a lively format that will appeal to both scholars and general readers alike, Father Hamm’s new book is a boon to anyone seeking to understand and live out the timeless wisdom of St. Paul.

—James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage

I’ve had the privilege of visiting the sites associated with St. Paul’s works, but the experience was not nearly as vivid for me as my reading of Father Dennis Hamm’s commentary. This book lives up to the standard of a series whose volumes have been at once devout, beautiful, erudite, and useful—an extremely rare achievement.

—Mike Aquilina, author of The Fathers of the Church and The Mass of the Early Christians

A good mixture of scriptural scholarship, background information, church teaching, and practical application. . . . [This commentary] will help especially the teacher and the preacher.

—David Sanders, OP, New Blackfriars

George Montague’s volume on First and Second Timothy, Titus in the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture is a rich addition to the study of the Pastoral Epistles. Tackling the tough questions of authorship and dating, Montague presents a scholarly and Catholic exegesis that incisively analyzes all the arguments and draws carefully thought-out conclusions. Gleaning from sources ancient and modern, the scope of the commentary is broad and faithfully Catholic. The sidebars and historical and cultural notes make this an exceptionally valuable resource. This is certainly a welcomed addition to my library!

—Steve Ray, host of the ten-part documentary series Footprints of God: The Story of Salvation from Abraham to Augustine

Daniel Keating has produced a clearly written commentary on 1 Peter, 2 Peter, and Jude. It is striking how he integrates his exegetical insights with Catholic tradition and teaching, explains difficult terms and concepts in sidebars and a glossary, and maintains an exegetical flow alongside a practical focus as he carefully applies the three letters to the contemporary reader. This will certainly be a useful work for the layperson wishing to explore and understand these books as well as for the busy pastor who needs quick access, and it will be even more useful if they desire integration with the Catholic Catechism, the Church Fathers, and other relevant insights from Catholic tradition. The level of integration is striking and very much to be commended. Would that more commentators were equally integrated with their own pastoral and theological traditions.

—Peter H. Davids, author, NICNT: First Peter

These biblical books remain in the relatively neglected corner of the New Testament so it is encouraging to have the Catholic Commentary series include them among its volumes . . . [Keating] does these works justice, particularly the beautiful First Letter of Peter. His commentary traces some of the issues concerning the origin . . . and purpose of the letter, and offers a clear and pastorally rich interpretation of its message.

—Donald Senior, author, Sacra Pagina: 1 Peter, Jude, 2 Peter