LECTIONARY BULLETIN INSERTS, YEAR C First and Second Readings Paul Turner CD-ROM, $39.95 ISBN 0-89390-691-3 View Excerpt Quantity:

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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 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.

The Scriptures of Advent open this year with an appeal for justice and security. Our society longs for a better life the same way ancient Israel and Judah did. We long for safety within our borders. We long for leaders of blameless conduct. We long for these blessings to last.

During Advent we want to see the fulfillment of God’s promises. God promised peace. God promised safety. God promised good leaders. God promised food, drink, and strength. During Advent we anticipate the fulfillment of God’s main promise: salvation. We await the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus, whose name means Savior and whose mission brought redemption.

But we still await something more. We need God’s presence in our midst now. We need peace in our lives now. We need leaders in whom we can trust, leaders we can admire, leaders who cooperate with the plan of God. And we need them now.

Through Jeremiah, we hear God’s promise for something unique and wonderful: “a just shoot.” God promises a strong sprout of new growth nudging up from the earth. This shoot will flower with justice. The earth and rain will fertilize its seed and make it grow from year to year.

This Advent our society yearns for a just shoot, the fulfillment of God’s promise.

Written by Paul Turner. Copyright © 2009, Resource Publications, Inc., 888-273-7782, www.rpinet.com. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission from Lectionary Bulletin Inserts, Year C: First and Second Readings.