Luke continues to challenge our lives. Focusing on Jesus and his earthly ministry among the early church, Michael, F. Patella, OSB, opens the Gospel of Luke to the 21st-century reader.

Patella presents literary, textual, and historical criticism in a readable manner to give readers a solid background for the Lukan Gospel. A brief introduction informs reader of Luke's literary technique, Luke as an evangelist, and other historical data.

Chapters are "The Prologue (1:1-4)," "The Infancy Narrative (1:5-2:52)," "Preparation for the Public Ministry (3:1-4:13)," "The Ministry in Galilee (4:!4-9:50)," "The Journey to Jerusalem (9:51019:27)," "The Teaching Ministry in Jerusalem (19:28-21:38)," "The Passion (22:1-23:56)," "The Resurrection (24:1-53)." Also includes questions for discussion.

About the Author
Michael F. Patella, OSB, SSD, is professor of New Testament at the School of Theology Seminary at Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He is the author of Angels and Demons: A Christian Primer of the Spiritual World and Word and Image: The Hermeneutics of The Saint John's Bible(Liturgical Press). He is a contributor to The Bible Today and Give Us This Day published by Liturgical Press.

Reviews
Patella's years of study in the Holy Land and first-hand experience at archaeological sites are evident in his numerous insights concerning history, geography and customs of Roman Palestine and the wider early Christian world. He also skillfully addresses literary and theological themes as he brings alive the Lucan Jesus. A valuable addition to the library of any student of the Third Gospel.Barbara E. Reid, OP, PhD, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, Illinois
Patella's commentary helpfully underlines the Lukan themes of Jesus' mercy towards sinners and outcasts, is especially strong on the historical dimensions of Luke's presentation of Jesus' life, ministry, and death, and most insightfully highlights Luke's presentation of Jesus' battles with and conquest over the powers of evil. Teachers, preachers, and the people in the pew will all reap a rich harvest from this clearly written work.Robert Karris, OFM, Head of Research, The Franciscan Institute, St. Boneventure University
Michael Patella shows restraint, judgment, and penetrating insight in the way he lays out four main literary themes: 1) Conflict with the Evil One, 2) the Great Reversal of Fortunes, 3) Division of Those For from Those Against, and 4) the Experience of the Joy of Redemption. By simply following Luke's remarkable story line, he shows how all four come up at the beginning, the middle, and, most strikingly, at the very end of the Gospel. By the end the reader can only say, 'Now I see.' Rather than present Jesus' teaching as a 'generalized ethics,' he places it firmly in the context of the 'end-time' proclamation of the Kingdom of god, and subtly guides the reader into the First Century World: socially, religiously, and culturally. In this he shows himself both a scholar and an educator."John Clabeaux, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska



Book Information
ISBN 9780814628621
Author Michael F. Patella
Format Paperback
Page Count 168
Imprint Liturgical Press
Publisher Liturgical Press
Weight(grams) 227g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 8mm