Raymond E. Brown, S.S., (19281998) was the Auburn Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He was author of some forty books on the Bible and past president of three of the most important biblical societies in the world. By appointment of two popes (Paul VI in 1972, John Paul II in 1996) Brown was a member of the Roman Pontifical Biblical Commission. Time magazine called him probably the premier Catholic Scripture scholar of the U.S.
"What a wonderful idea to bring together in one volume some of Raymond Browns most personal, practical, and pastoral writings! While widely recognized as one of the greatest biblical scholars of the 20th century, Brown the priest and teacher always sought to make his research accessible to the general public. Even ten years after his death, Brown continues to exercise his role as minister of the Word through publications like this one."
-Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, Professor of New Testament, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry
"The writings of Raymond Brown never disappoint. His scholarship was always at the service of the Church, the people of God, and always looking to the ultimate spiritual benefit of believers. Now, with the help of his friends, he gives us a belated gift as this rich collection of interpretative essays is made easily accessible for Bible readers and preachers."
-Abbot Jerome Kodell
"This is a magnificent book. Every preacher should own and read it. The treatment of Matthews genealogy alone is worth the price of the book. The reader will find here the fruit of the mature thought of one of the best New Testament scholars of our time. Learned without being pedantic, insightful without being dry, the material presented here illumines both individual passages and whole Gospels. The person looking for canned sermons will have to look elsewhere; but the person serious about solid preaching will find here material to induce the kind of reflection on the text that eventuates in good, solid biblical preaching. It is a volume highly to be recommended, both for understanding Scripture and for effective preaching."
-Paul J. Achtemeier, Jackson Professor Emeritus of Biblical Interpretation, Union Theological Seminary, Virginia
"During his long and productive career, Father Raymond Brown wrote a number of important pastoral aids for preachers. It is a joy, then, to have all of these works in a single volume that covers the span of the entire Liturgical Year. In this volume, preachers will find a treasure trove of insights about the infancy and passion narratives, the readings for the season of Easter and the Feast of Pentecost, and the Gospels during Ordinary Time. More then a commentary on individual texts, this volume provides preachers with the background necessary to understand the readings they are charged to proclaim. By assembling these writings in a single volume, Witherup and Donahue have made the voice of Raymond Brown available to yet another generation of preachers. There is no better resource than this volume for those charged with preaching Gods Word."
-Frank J. Matera, The Andrews-Kelly-Ryan Professor of Biblical Studies, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
"Ronald Witherup and John Donahue, both priests and distinguished New Testament scholars themselves, together with Liturgical Press, have given us a great gift. By collecting and re-introducing Raymond Brown's slim volumes of extraordinarily clear, insightful treatments of the gospel texts for preaching, they are permitting both seasoned and younger preachers open access to a goldmine. We are all in their debt."
-Michael J. Gorman, Professor of Sacred Scripture and Dean, The Ecumenical Institute of Theology, St. Mary's Seminary & University, Baltimore, Maryland
