LECTIONARY BULLETIN INSERTS, YEAR B First and Second Readings Paul Turner CD-ROM, $39.95 ISBN 0-89390-682-4 October 2008 View Excerpt Quantity:

Vatican II introduced more Scripture readings into the liturgy. The homily is usually on the Gospel reading. These reflections on the first and second readings give insight and understanding to the other two readings people have heard at Mass. They are designed as bulletin inserts, but can be used in any parish publication, includeing the website. Scripture study groups will also find them helpful.

These brief articles are organized by seasons and are presented in three different formats ways for your convenience. You can browse through all of the inserts in a .pdf file (an e-book), or you can insert a .tif file into your desktop publishing system, or you can open the .rtf file with your word processor and create your own layout with the rich text format

Paul Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, MO, holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome. He is a regular columnist for Ministry & Liturgy magazine and author of The Catholic Wedding Answer Book, The Catechumenate Answer Book, ML Bulletin Inserts, and Preparing the Wedding Homily.

First Sunday of Advent B 1
Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2b-7

It Must Be God’s Fault

It must be God’s fault. That’s the conclusion Isaiah reaches. And who of us hasn’t thought the same? If things don’t go our way, if someone hurts us, if someone leaves us–even if the mess is our own fault–we blame God.

People sin, but Isaiah asks God, “Why do you let us wander from your ways?” People show no remorse, but Isaiah asks God, “Why do you harden our hearts so that we fear you not?” Must be God’s fault.

Isaiah’s prayer opens the season of Advent because of a specific request it makes. “Rend the heavens and come down.” In the midst of our misfortune, sorrow, and sin, when we realize our own strength fails to make life any better, to eliminate hurt, or to erase the past, we finally turn to God for a solution. Let there be no veil concealing heaven from earth. Let God rip it open, come down here, and save us from the messiness of life.

God did just that on the first Christmas Day.

As we stand on the threshold of another Advent, we ask God to do it again. Even if our mess isn’t God’s fault, we need God’s help to set us free.

Written by Paul Turner. Copyright © 2008, Resource Publications, Inc., 888-273-7782, www.rpinet.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from Lectionary Bulletin Inserts, Year B: First and Second Readings.

First Sunday of Advent B 2
1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Ready or Not

When a new child is born, parents are excited. But they also wonder, “Am I ready for this?” Parenting carries responsibilities. A new child will cause unimaginable changes. There is never enough preparation for parenting. Eventually a parent realizes, “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” God usually provides them with the grace, wisdom and patience they seek. All the spiritual gifts they want are there.

The Christian community at Corinth was like a young family with new children. Having received the gift of faith, this community shared their determination to forge a way of life in union with the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was an exciting time, but also a nervous time. They probably wondered, “Am I ready for this?”

They believed that the second coming of Christ was imminent. They believed they had to prepare each day to meet Christ whenever he returned. Most importantly, as they thought about the end, the day of their Lord Jesus Christ, they wondered, “Am I ready for this?”

Paul told them yes. “You are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

And neither are we. As we begin this Advent, filled with excitement and nervous about the weeks ahead, it is natural to wonder, “Am I ready?” You are not lacking in any spiritual gift. Open your arms and welcome Christ!

Written by Paul Turner. Copyright © 2008, Resource Publications, Inc., 888-273-7782, www.rpinet.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from Lectionary Bulletin Inserts, Year B: First and Second Readings.