John W. Martens is professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas and director of the Master of Arts in Theology program at St. Paul Seminary, School of Divinity, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Every week at America magazine, I wait with eager anticipation to see what John Martens is going to say about the Gospel for the coming Sunday or Feast Day. And I am never, ever, disappointed. Firmly grounded in the latest Scripture scholarship, wonderfully practical, and beautifully written, his reflections always teach me something new. Martens is that rare scholar that can write well for the general audience, and, even rarer, say something new.James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage

• ContentsPreface   ixFirst Sunday of AdventWastin’ Time?   1Second Sunday of AdventThe Coming of the King 3  Third Sunday of AdventWorth the Wait   6Fourth Sunday of AdventLove at First Sight   8The Nativity of the LordThe Light of the Son of God  10The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and JosephFamily in Flight   12The Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of GodJesus’ Mother   14Second Sunday after ChristmasGod with Us   16The Epiphany of the LordManifest Divinity   18The Baptism of the Lord“Baptized by You”   21First Sunday of LentAway with Sin   23Second Sunday of LentAway with Fear   26Third Sunday of LentAway with Despair   28 Fourth Sunday of LentAway with Darkness   30Fifth Sunday of LentAway with Death   32Palm Sunday of the Lord’s PassionHumble Is He   34Easter SundayRisen in History   36Second Sunday of EasterRadical Witness   39Third Sunday of EasterThe Witness of the Bread   42Fourth Sunday of EasterThe Witness of Suffering   45Fifth Sunday of EasterMaster Builder   47Sixth Sunday of EasterThe Witness of Hope   49The Ascension of the LordThe Apprentice Builders   51Seventh Sunday of EasterThe Gathering Church   53Pentecost SundayUnited by the Spirit   55The Solemnity of the Most Holy TrinityTrinity Life   57The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of ChristShare in the Body   59The Solemnity of All SaintsMake a Saint of Me   61Second Sunday in Ordinary TimeThe “Lamb” of God   64Third Sunday in Ordinary TimeLeaving Home   66 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary TimeSeek Righteousness? Seek Humility   68Fifth Sunday in Ordinary TimeShare Your Bread   71Sixth Sunday in Ordinary TimeTransforming Law   73Seventh Sunday in Ordinary TimeMy Enemy, My Love   75Eighth Sunday in Ordinary TimeMy Anxious Heart   77Ninth Sunday in Ordinary TimeJesus, Paul, and the Law   79Tenth Sunday in Ordinary TimeMercy   82Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary TimeJews and Gentiles   85Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary TimeFear Not   87Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary TimeNewness of Life   90Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary TimeThe Little Ones   92Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary TimeListen!   94Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary TimePeople, Not Plants   97Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary TimeThe New and the Old   99Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary TimeA Tangible Love   102Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary TimeHoly Ghost Story   104Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary TimeEveryone Belongs   106 Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary TimeRock-Solid Authority   109Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary TimeLike Fire Burning in My Heart   111Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary TimeLove’s Obligations   113Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary TimeForgiveness   115Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary TimeThe Ways of God   118Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary TimeDo It God’s Way?   120Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary TimeThe Vineyard Grows   122Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary TimeInvitation to the Feast   124Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary TimePayment Due   127Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary TimeGod’s Interest   129Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary TimeThe Only Father   131Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary TimeDo Not Grieve   134Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary TimeTalent Shows   136The Solemnity of Christ the KingFollow the Shepherd   138