Breaking the Bread: A Biblical Devotional for Catholics

Barb Szyszkiewicz reviews the Year B edition of Scott Hahn and Ken Ogorek's book that helps Catholics get the most from the Sunday Mass readings.

Scott Hahn and Ken Ogorek have put together a book that takes Sunday Mass prep to the next level. Breaking the Bread: A Biblical Devotional for Catholics not only offers reflections on the Sunday Mass readings that helps readers understand how all the readings for each Sunday Mass fit together, it also features quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church that provide even more background information and connection to the life of the Church.

Each entry includes four parts:

• a listing of the Mass readings for the Sunday or holy day (have your Bible or Sunday missal handy, or use the USCCB's online daily readings);
• a reflection on the readings for the day, tying them all together;
• further information including quotes from the Catechism; and
• questions for reflection and a closing prayer.

The Introduction by Scott Hahn explains how the new lectionary, introduced in 1969, includes more Scripture than had ever been covered during Mass, and how the lectionary, along with the Catechism, helps equip us to transmit the faith to our families.

I can't say enough about how beautiful this book is. The hardcover volume is clothbound, a lovely dark green embossed in gold. Inside, the glossy pages feature colorful designs as each liturgical season begins, and there are 25 full-color pages featuring sacred art that complement's the readings for particular Sundays or holy days.

As a parish musician, at Sunday Mass I'm a bit distracted because I'm always listening for the next musical cue. Whether it's your service at Mass or your young children that diverts your attention from the readings each Sunday, reading this book at home can help you not only stay caught up on the readings from Mass, but enrich your understanding of them with background information from the Catechism. This book can be used to prepare for Sunday Mass or to recap what you heard at Mass later in the day or week.

Ask for Breaking the Bread at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from Amazon.com or the publisher, Emmaus Road Publishing.

Copyright 2023 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images: Canva
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