I'm recommending two books for you to get during Lent - this post is about the book above by Bishop Serratelli. The next post is about a new book on the Our Father by John Shea, who is, in my judgment, the very best pastoral theologian in the Church.
Bishop Serratelli has written a series of reflections about the people who were with Jesus during Holy Week from the crucifixion on the cross to the time after his resurrection. I think it is a neat book and helps you understand why the bishop was a beloved teacher of the Bible in seminaries and universities. You don't have to be a scholar to learn from it. At the same time, you will be receiving the very best and most current biblical scholarship available. He has a great ability to take what is in the Scriptures, explain it, and then apply it to our lives. This is what he does when he preaches and this is what he does in this little book.
Here are the cast of characters he uses: Peter, Judas, Pilate, Barabbas, Simon of Cyrene, the Daughters of Jerusalem, the Crowd, the Good Thief, John the Beloved, Mary, the Centurion, Joseph Arimathea, and Mary Magdalene. You're learn a lot about each of these people - and find that you're growing closer to Jesus as well. Not a bad thing to do during Lent.
Here is the Lenten bargain. It retails for $5.95, a paperback of 95 pages. However, order it direct from the publisher, www.catholicbookpublishing.com, and people from the diocese (or if you know someone who is - like me!) - Use this promo code: BISHOP. Then you get a discount of 40% if you buy 1-24 copies. Buy 25 or more copies, and your discount is $50. A modest shipping price is added.
We'll have bulk copies for sale in the atrium at the parish soon at a simple cost of $5.00.
The bishop will not get rich from the royalties of this book! But you will receive something of great value if you read it.
TODAYS GRATITUDE: It is great to have the chance to continue to learn and to find it fun.