The Gospel of Mark

There is an increasing hunger among catholics to study the bible in depth and in a way that integrates scripture with catholic doctrine, worship, and daily life. in october 2008, a meeting of the world synod of bishops scheduled by pope benedict xvi will focus on "the word of god in the life and mission of the church." coinciding with that meeting is the launch of the catholic commentary on sacred scripture (ccss), a series that responds to the desire of catholics to access the living word of god. the gospel of mark is the first of seventeen volumes, which will cover the entire new testament. written by trusted catholic biblical scholars, these commentaries interpret scripture in the light of catholic tradition. accessibly written yet substantive, the ccss fills a gap in the available literature by offering commentaries that cover more than brief study guides but are less daunting than scholarly commentaries.review"this new commentary series should meet a need that has long been pointed out: a guide to scripture that will be both historically responsible and shaped by the mind of the church's tradition. it promises to be a milestone in the recovery of a distinctively catholic approach to exegesis."aidan nichols, op, john paul ii memorial visiting lecturer, university of oxford; fellow of greyfriars, oxfordfrom the back cover"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."</br>gary anderson, university of notre dame"mary healy skillfully and insightfully moves her readers to plumb the spiritual depths of mark's gospel. 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."</br>robert j. karris, ofm, the franciscan institute, st. bonaventure universitypraise for the catholic commentary on sacred scripture"coinciding with the bishopssynod on 'the word of god in the life and mission of the church,this seventeen-volume commentary on the new testament represents a much-needed approach, based on good scholarship but not overloaded with it. the frequent references to thecatechism of the catholic church help us to read holy scripture with a vivid sense of the living tradition of the church."</br>christoph cardinal sch&ouml;nborn, archbishop of vienna"this series richly provides what has for so long been lacking among contemporary scriptural commentaries. its goal is to assist catholic preachers and teachers, lay and ordained, in their ministry of the word. moreover, it offers ordinary catholics a scriptural resource that will enhance their understanding of god's word and thereby deepen their faith. thus these commentaries, nourished on the faith of the church and guided by scholarly wisdom, are both exegetically sound and spiritually nourishing."</br>thomas g. weinandy, ofm cap, united states conference of catholic bishops"the catholic commentary on sacred scripture is a landmark achievement in theological interpretation of scripture in and for the church. everything about it is inviting and edifying, from the format, photos, background notes, and cross-references to the rich exposition of the text, quotations from the church's living tradition, and reflections for contemporary life. it is a wonderful gift to the catholic church and a model for the rest of us. highly recommended for all!"</br>michael j. gorman, st. mary's seminary and university, baltimoremary healy (std, pontifical gregorian university) is associate professor of sacred scripture at sacred heart major seminary in detroit, michigan, and senior fellow at the st. paul center for biblical theology. she is the author of men and women are from eden and c