Charles Edward Miller

Fr. Charles Miller's wonderful little book, "Together in Prayer” is highly recommended for the layman who would like to appreciate the psalms better, but have had trouble connecting to them in a meaningful way. Fr. Miller speaks, with great love, about the beauty and timelessness of the psalms by relating them to everyday situations. Fr. Miller shows how our everyday situations have a voice in these ancient poetic expressions. Although there are many Psalm scholars who will appeal to individuals involved in more serious study (such as Walter Bruggermann), Fr. Miller's "Together in Prayer" offers an accessable entrance point for the neophite. Anyone who reads this book will come away with a new appreciation for the Psalms.

It speaks well for a volume when it is said to be "out of print." It speaks better for it when its publishers decide to reprint. This has been the fortune of the three volumes of homilies on the Sunday readings which are now combined in this present volume, The Word Made Flesh. There are three authors. The major number of reflections come from the pen of Father Charles Miller, C.M. He is a man of deep spiritual resources and a responsible Seminary Rector. Father Oscar Miller, C.M., is his brother and served our Seminary faculty for fifteen years. Father Michael Roebert is a priest of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and currently a faculty member of the Seminary. It is a privilege to be associated with them in the prefacing of this book. May it follow, in its reprint, the furrows of grace ploughed through its predecessors. TIMOTHY CARDINAL MANNING Archbishop of Los Angeles

The Second Vatican Council in its Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (51) declared that "the treasures of the Bible are to be opened up more lavishly so that richer fare may be provided for the faithful at the table of God's Word. In this way a more representative portion of the Holy Scriptures will be read to the people over a set cycle of years." In accord with this directive we now have a lectionary which presents virtually the entire Bible to the people. This lectionary must be accompanied by meaningful preaching. When Philip the Deacon (Ac 8:26ff) encountered the Ethiopian who was reading from the Book of Isaiah, he asked him, "Do you really grasp what you are reading?" The Ethiopian, speaking for all faithful people, responded, "How can I unless someone explains it to me?" This book, Opening the Treasures, is meant to be a help to those preachers who are devoted to prociaiming the Word of God to the faithful who participate in weekday Masses. It can also assist all those who want to meditate and reflect on the significance of the Scriptures as found in the daily lectionary. It is not meant to be a scholarly study of exegesis but a pastoral and devotional application of God's Word to the present. Its style of simplicity and clarity recommends it to all,

Advent stands somewhere between the two comings of Christ. Its joyful celebration reflects the meaning of Christian living as it enables us to share in the salvific coming of Christ in history so that his future coming may one day be a reality. The liturgical readings from the Old Testament help us develop a spirit of longing and expectation, while the gospels gradually unfold the meaning of his incarnation and life among us: With faith in the gift of his saving mysteries we can work with hope toward the day of his final coming as we live our lives of Christian love. This book, with its commentaries and reflections on each of the lessons and gospels, should serve as an inspiration to many in their meditations as well as an aid to the Advent preacher.

Ever since the Second Vatican Council imbued all of its conciliar documents with a scriptural emphasis, the word of God is being spoken with new force in our day. The appointed custodian of the word is the priest whose primary apostolate is preaching. The priest must not only proclaim the good news of Christ but also show its significance and practical implications for people today, evoking a response of faith and love both in liturgy and in life. Following the theory that success in preaching today can be achieved not only by preaching what Our Lord preached, but also by imitating his simple, direct and vivid style as well, the well-known authors of this homily outline series/ have brought together in this small volume a comprehensive group of thoughtful and thought-provok-ing homilies. Combining solid scriptural insights with sensitive and practical pastoral awareness, they masterfully relate the liturgical readings of Cycle "A" to life in our modern world and act as a catalyst in stimulating creative thinking based on one's own personal spirituality and approach to the liturgy and scriptures.

This clearly written manual reflects the practice, style and expertise of an author internationally known as a preacher and writer of many books on homilies. Never losing sight of the expectations of the average American audience, Father Miller insists that the best homilies always grow out of everyday human experience reflected on in the light of the Gospel. Preaching is always a reflection of one's spirituality. It is both prophetic and incarnational, a lived experience in faith for both the preacher and his listeners. In this work, Father Miller focuses on all aspects of the art with the goal of helping preachers not only to preach what Jesus preached but to do it in the way he did it. He draws extensively on the example of Jesus as a practical and universal model, never forgetting that authentic preaching is not words about God, but the word of God itself. Priests and ministers, deacons and seminarians and all who are pursuing a curriculum in homiletics will find much in this volume to aid them in the preparation of homilies for Sundays and other liturgical celebrations. Each of its twenty-one chapters ends with a summary of the contents and an exercise for practical application.