Unfortunately this like many things Pope Francis writes just doesn’t get to the meat for me. It feels too superficial and doesn’t go deep enough. It was alright, just wanted more

Reading an early version of this book, written in English, by the Pope was an experience I wasn't anticipating. A life long Catholic, I didn't expect this book to open my mind to the Pope's insight while weaving biblical stories and political musings into essays/chapters I couldn't resist finishing. Pope Francis is the First Latin American man that was elected to the position of Pope. Originally from Buenos Aries, Argentina the Pope has a gentle but clear way of writing that leans heavily on specific verses and context to reach and engage the followers of the Church through his readings. Readers do not need to be Catholic to feel encouraged or be curious about the Pope's writings. It is a read that could span across ages but the word choice and sentence context lean to young adult and adults.

Are you looking for inspiration and guidance? If you are, this is the perfect book, this book is full of devotions and meditations to help guide you in this new world that we live in. If you are looking for guidance, look no more.

Reflections on the Sunday Gospel is a compilation of homilies and reflections that follow the Catholic liturgical year. The Catholic new year starts the first Sunday of Advent, which falls late November/early December, depending on what day of the week Christmas falls on. Each week has a short section of that week's Gospel reading (or at least one of the possible readings, as the Catholic Sunday Masses use a three-year cycle), a reflection on the gospel by Pope Francis, and readings from church fathers, like Saint Augustine. This book was great as a tool for individual reflection and prayer, but could also be a great starting point for a group meditation.

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“Approaching the Gospel, contemplating it, and embodying it in daily life is the best way to come to know Jesus and to bring him to others.“ - Reflections on the Sunday Gospel by Pope Francis

Though am I not Catholic, I thorough enjoyed the Netflix movie The Two Popes which led me to researching Pope Francis. His writing is succinct and insightful so when “Reflections on the Sunday Gospel” popped up on Netgalley I decided to try and I’m a grateful I did. It has brought me weeks of stimulating, faith-building insights. Each chapter is a Sunday sermon and it follows the Catholic Liturgy Calendar walking the reader through the major themes of the Bible. Based on a few verses, the message of each is deep and specific. The focus being given to one aspect allows for great reflection and Pope Francis shares perspectives on the Scriptures I’ve not heard before and yet are so sound. At the end of each is a quote from a Saint that echoes or expands on the sermon.

“Love, and He will draw near; love, and He will dwell in you.” - Saint Augustine

Owing to it’s thoughtfulness, I decided to only digest one sermon a week and I’m glad I paced it. Whilst you don’t have to read it in order, it feels constructed into a journey and I’m glad I did it in sequence.

“The mentality of survival makes us reactionaries, fearful, slowly and silently shutting ourselves up in our houses and in our own preconceived notions.” - Reflections on the Sunday Gospel by Pope Francis

If you are looking for a gentle but firm guide, filled with wisdom, love and compassion, this one is for you. It’s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale and highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Convergent Books through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I'm not Catholic, but I truly appreciated this collection of homilies. Pope Francis' reflections allow for greater insight into his perspective of the Gospel.

I chose to read this book because I was curious to delve more into the thoughts of a prominent figure within my religion. I am glad to say I was not disappointed. I felt like reading this book really proved to be relaxing. It allowed me to reflect within myself and reach a new level of peace. I would highly recommend even if you are not catholic.

The homilies that accompany each Sunday's readings are simple, insightful, and remarkably challenging. Each Sunday's thoughts are accompanied by a short reading from one of the ancient Church fathers or theologians. The historical readings support the interpretation and understanding of the Sunday reading and reinforce the concept Pope Francis expounds as being a long-held teaching and not a radical re-interpretation of the Bible. Each homily challenges the reader to turn to the Bible to learn what Jesus is teaching us in His words and the events that are presented. This reviewer is eager to purchase Reflections on the Sunday Gospel as soon as it is available in November 2021.

Great collection of Gospel reflections from Pope Francis. A beautiful companion to weekly mass, Looking forward to using this beginning in Dec. 2022.

Thank you Netgalley and Convergent Books for this ARC.

This devotional offers a reminder of the Sunday Gospel passage, a reflection from Pope Francis and a passage from one of the Church fathers or a significant saint, for the Sundays in Year A plus a few other significant days such as Ash Wednesday.

It’s worth noting that last year (2020) was Year A so the next time this book will neatly fit the liturgical calendar is 2023 (starting Advent/December 2022). However, this could be used at any time as a daily or weekly devotional in its own right.

For the most part, this is easy to read and insightful. A couple of times I needed to reread sentences that had been slightly lost in translation. As with any homily or Gospel commentary, some speak to me more than others.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for a complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Nice little companion book to the lectionary gospels. Commentary and excerpts from the writings of the church fathers. I probably won’t read again but would be a good companion devotional for once a week study.

This is a book that will mostly appeal to Catholics and those already familiar with their liturgical year (Advent, Lent, Ordinary Time). There is an intro explaining that, and also a calendar of the cycles in the back of the book - so if what I've said so far is confusing, don't dwell on it.
I would think that the best way to read this book is week by week, so the readings match the season you're in. Of course, since I had a copy through NetGalley, I read it within a few weeks.
Either way, the concept is simple: You get a small snippet of that Sunday or Holy Day's reading, then a homily that Pope Francis gave on that reading, followed by a related essay from an older "father" figure of Catholicism (writings of Saint Augustine, for example). Specifically, this cycle of readings are mostly from the Gospel of Matthew. Pope Francis is not super long-winded, so each chapter is easily read in 5-10 minutes.
I am probably biased, but I love Pope Francis. I find him to be easy to follow and often inspiring. In these musings, he does not say anything that could be construed as controversial, but sticks to fairly universal truths. (I say fairly because, obviously, I mean that they're universally accepted ideas with Christianity.)
If you're looking for a new devotional, or a way to connect with the Bible, this would be a great option.

"Reflections on the Sunday Gospel" by Pope Francis is a refreshingly accessible, theological journey into select scriptures over the course of a liturgical year, along with some extras.

Many denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, are on a three year "lectionary cycle." which means that during the course of one year, week after week, churches use the same scripture readings. Including in this book are brief sermons from The Holy Father (aka Pope Francis) as delivered throughout one liturgical year. His homilies are thoughtful, provocative, challenging, and whether read in rhythm with the season, or not, provide the reader with a chance to allow the spiritual to move into his or her life today.

Additionally, though perhaps to extend the page count, each homily is followed by a brief writing from a "Church Father" and though I felt that these were not really necessary, they do add some appropriate historical connection to the Pope's words.

Whether it is because you are a person of faith, a fan of Pope Francis, or merely want to enter into the spiritual realm around us, then I highly recommend "Reflections on the Sunday Gospel" as a way to achieve that purpose for you.

Contrary to protestant or evangelical full-hour sermons, the bite-size reflections on the weekly passage from Scripture by Pope Francis are suitable to compile in a book meant for self-study. A couple of verses, Francis' to-the-point and contemporary homily followed by either a prayer to Mary or the Holy Spirit and a selected homily by an early Church father, e.g. Saint Augustine, Jerome, and Ambrose, about the same topic for each Sunday in the so-called liturgical year. Advent, Christmas, Lent, Passover, Ascension, and Pentecost are alternated by passages from the gospels.

The message is practical, positive, yet in-your-face, like the gospel of God's kingdom itself. There's not that much attention for the Old Testament, and as a non-Catholic reader, it's still a bit strange to invoke Jesus' mother Mary to pray for us as an intercessor, where we can conversate with God in prayer by ourselves. Content-wise, Reflections on the Sunday Gospel: How to More Fully Live Out Your Relationship with God, can be used as a weekly, or eventually daily, devotional to guide your time apart with God.

Reflections on The Sunday Gospel is a book that gives insight to the Gospel readings throughout the liturgical year. The book shares each bible passage, a reflection from Pope Francis and then a reflection from a Church father/saint. I would recommend this book for anyone who desires a deeper understanding of the Gospel readings.

A collection of Pope's homilies and reflections of the Fathers of the Church. Perfect to read every Sunday. with your family, as I did with mine.

This book was received as an ARC from Convergent Books - Image in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really needed this book today. At work hearing so many updates from COVID and the fear in everyone that the infection rate will skyrocket and losing hope to ever to return to the way things were. Pope Francis reminds us that we have the power of God to give us strength and stay positive and refers to Bible verses that can help us do that. We all need books that remind us what our purpose is and we need to carry it out no matter the circumstance. A lot of people in our community will appreciate this book and we can't wait to release them to our collection.

We will consider adding this title to our Religion collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

This is a great collection of homilies and reflections on various Sunday gospels. The introduction states that this should be used to deepen your faith with a further meditation for Sunday from Pope Francis and various other fathers of the church. I've enjoyed the ones I've read this far.

A needed and timely title. If someone had told me I would live through a time of a global pandemic which would include all churches being closed I would have thought they were describing a dystopian novel. As a Catholic, I confess I do not attend mass without fail but my love for that weekly hour runs deep and throughout my life. After close to a year, I find I miss it so much tears will come. Virtual doesn’t feel the same. This book represents the doors we currently can not walk through. So thankful for each of these reflections. I also found fascinating the words of the early Church fathers. How did one inspire faith with little or close to no resources available. This book provides a glimpse. I am not sure what the future holds for churches as a whole but this reminds me if ministry can survive for thousands of years it will persevere through this time as well.

This is a curated collection of reflections/homilies by Pope Francis, along with a prayer and brief citations of some of the early Church fathers all designed to lead the reader into a deeper understanding of the faith ... and even more importantly ... to put that faith into action: "The Word of the Lord enters through the ears, goes to the heart, and passes to the hands to good deeds." ... Note that I have a particular interest in Catholic theology and homiletics that is specifically addressed by this book, so my rating here takes that into account (plus 1 star).

"And as always, we begin with Advent." Here we get the Gospel reading from Matthew, telling us that we do not know the day our Lord will come. The reflection explores how we can become distracted with our daily concerns and lose sight of what is ultimately the most important goal ... to always be ready to meet our Lord and Savior. This is followed by a brief reference to St Augustine exhorting us to "love and not fear him who will come." Each of these passages are brief, concise and easy for the reader connect to. The book continues in like manner for approximately 60 reflections to good effect. As with most homilies on the Gospel, some of these will personally touch you more than others (and it will likely be different for each reader). Regardless, it will provide a good starting point for your own personal reflections and devotions.

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
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