PREACHING AND CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING - VISIONS OF THE REIGN OF GOD.
Michael E. Connors, CSC, ed. [Chicago - Liturgy Training Publications, 2025]
Review by Fr. R. B. Williams, OP
This book is the printed fruit of a 2023 conference at Notre Dame University on the subject of the title (Visions of the Reign of God: Preaching and Catholic Social Teaching). There are 20 essays that are printed versions of the presentations at that conference. I think it is safe to say the book is a virtual vade mecum on the subject. The essays begin Archbishop John Wester's which does a good job of introducing the principal problem almost all of the essays struggle with. Why is the social teaching of the Church still considered "the best kept secret" of Catholic tradition and teaching?
The essays vary in length. Two separate (and longer) ones address the preaching methodology of St. Oscar Romero and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.! Others deal with the subject of Catholic teaching as presented in multiple documents by recent popes and U. S. Catholic bishops. These all address such challenges as migration, care for the earth, poverty, homelessness, racism, etc.. But their content is not well known, and this is due in large part because people are not hearing about it in the ordinary pulpit preaching or faith formation in the parishes.
The social teaching of the church has great implications for political and social life in the USA. Cherished political beliefs about race, migration, environmental policy, war and violence, etc., are all challenged by the social teaching of the Church. But preachers are reluctant (fearful) of offending people in the pews and being accused of "preaching politics" or being "communists", etc.. This reluctance extends from bishops to deacons and religious education directors and OCIA programs - in other words, the entire spectrum of preaching and faith formation and education whether at Mass or in the classrooms of Catholic schools. The essays in the book touch on all of these and can be a challenge to any reader, especially anyone entrusted with pulpit preaching, retreats, and other settings of authoritative reflection on the Word of God and ordinary life. In addition to the essays, there are two appendices with sample homilies that provide examples of how scripture and the social teaching of the Church can be integrated in preaching. The Reign of God - the kingdom of justice, love, and peace - is a principal focus of Jesus' teaching! This book aims at enabling preachers to consider how their preaching may better reflect the treasure of Catholic social teaching founded on Jesus' own life and words as well as the tradition of the early Church Fathers and Mothers! I urge all preachers and religious educators to avail themselves of it.
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