Opening the Treasures

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,