3233 Seed among the vines. A spirituality of the Sunday Gospels
austraLasia #3233

 

Seed among the vines
A spirituality of the Sunday Gospels
YEAR C
Fr Peter Varengo SDB

MELBOURNE: 14 June 2013 --  'Seed among the Vines' might well have been a description of the author himself, coming as he does from the heart of the Piedmontese Monferrato region, San Desiderio di Calliano to be precise, tucked in amongst the vines and the mountains. But no, it is the title of Fr Peter Varengo's well-received reflections for the Sunday Gospels, Year C.  With years of experience in Australian parishes, and writing in what one reviewer has called an 'educated Australian' (minus the slang), and simple enough (minus the theological jargon that might need extensive study to interpret), Peter has come up with a winner - not just reflections, but capable of drawing out and encouraging a real 'spirituality' of the Sunday Gospels. Year A is due to be published shortly, and then Year B - well, there's time yet for that but he is working on it!
 
It is interesting to note how this series came into being. While Parish priest of an inner city Melbourne parish, Peter would jot a few notes down for the Sunday homily, and inevitably somone would ask for the notes. Then an enterprising parishioner saw that the notes were written up and photocopied in sufficient quantity for whoever might want to take them after Mass - until in due course a  'practising publisher' (the faith, that is, as well as publishing) asked him could he prepare things for a properly published version.  So there you have it - the seed took root.

The book is divided into 52 weekly reflections on the liturgical gospel readings for year C of the standard commonly used readings.  Each starts with just the location of the text, that way you read in your preferred translation, or multiple translations, and more importantly read just before and after to get the reading in context.  Each has a reflection of about four pages.  It was written so the congregation could get more out
of the weekly sermons with greater understanding and depth.
 
The book (and those to follow) is currently only available from Australia.

Publisher: Mosaic Press, Victoria, 2012  (https://mosaicresources.com.au/titles/9781743240908 if you
were trying to locate a copy)
RRP:  AU$ 34.95

That's around 75 cents a week for good Gospel food for a year, garnished with a healthy spirituality. You can't do much better than that.