Longtime teacher and popular author Margaret Nutting Ralph brings her extensive knowledge of catechetics and the Bible to this book, a guide to better understanding the Lectionary. Why is it important to "break open the Lectionary"? "Because it is possible to listen to the Word as a living Word and never understand what that Word is teaching...or to understand what a biblical author is teaching but fail to apply that living Word to one's own life and times," writes the author. Breaking Open the Lectionary will help readers hear the living word in its biblical context, thus helping them understand what the biblical author intended to say as they apply that to their own lives. BREAKING OPEN THE LECTIONARY begins by discussing the Catholic approach to Scripture. Then, based on that knowledge, each passage from the Lectionary for Sunday Mass is interpreted in its biblical context to discover the intention of the original inspired author. Following each Sunday's commentaries are questions to help readers understand the difference between faith sharing and Bible study and to assist them in hearing the Word in the context of their own lives. In addition to deacon and homiletics classes, this book will appeal to: --those who will use the work as part of an RCIA process --participants in faith sharing groups --participants in Bible studies based on the Lectionary --lectors +