Naming Grace: Preaching and the Sacramental Imagination

Rating:
Summary: Should be part of any homilist's library
Review: Having taken approximately 30 courses at St. Bernard's Institute in fulfillment of my M.A. and M.Div degrees, I have rarely become excited over required texts. A notable exception is "Naming Grace" by Mary Catherine Hilkert. While there are certainly other high quality books on the market that deal with preaching in a general sense, "Naming Grace" is one of the rare gems that deal more specifically with the art of preparing and delivering a homily in a Catholic liturgical setting. With a combination of wit and serious scholarship, Dr. Hilkert urges anyone who is brave enough to enter into the risky world of homiletics to utilize skills inclusive of both sacramental and prophetic imaginations. In addition, she gives practical advice that is instructive toward avoiding what amounts to 'replacement theology' (an occasional hazard of trying to harmonize the Old and New Testaments). I found Dr. Hilkert's text to be highly stimulating. I therefore highly endorse "Naming Grace."

Rating:
Summary: Should be part of any homilist's library
Review: Having taken approximately 30 courses at St. Bernard's Institute in fulfillment of my M.A. and M.Div degrees, I have rarely become excited over required texts. A notable exception is "Naming Grace" by Mary Catherine Hilkert. While there are certainly other high quality books on the market that deal with preaching in a general sense, "Naming Grace" is one of the rare gems that deal more specifically with the art of preparing and delivering a homily in a Catholic liturgical setting. With a combination of wit and serious scholarship, Dr. Hilkert urges anyone who is brave enough to enter into the risky world of homiletics to utilize skills inclusive of both sacramental and prophetic imaginations. In addition, she gives practical advice that is instructive toward avoiding what amounts to 'replacement theology' (an occasional hazard of trying to harmonize the Old and New Testaments). I found Dr. Hilkert's text to be highly stimulating. I therefore highly endorse "Naming Grace."