In this innovative book Simon Lasair explores some of the potentials of applying narratology to the Pentateuch Targums. Lasair argues that when the targums present coherent narratives, they largely carry the major structures of the Pentateuch over into an Aramaic context. This book calls for a wide ranging rethink of the methodologies used to study targumic literature, as well as how to place the targums within their original historical contexts.

Sharing the heartbreaking experience of losing both her parents within only days of each other, Theresa Moloney provides a candid insight into the emotional and practical issues surrounding bereavement. While acknowledging that grief is ultimately a personal journey, the author’s own story acts as a backdrop against which those in a similar situation can identify its myriad feelings and physical manifestations as normal and necessary aspects of the difficult journey they must travel. For anyone faced with the loss of a loved one, this courageous and unsparingly honest account of grief and its many guises is an important guide to understanding, coping and, at last, healing.

‘The image of a people gathered at table is the story of friendship. Tables are the places where stories are heard, where love is remembered and where food is shared. Tables are about presence and the quality of presence, our presence to one another and God’s presence with us. ’ In Sacramentum Caritatis, Pope Benedict XVI calls us to find relief for our hunger in ‘the food of truth’, inviting us into the sacrificial meal, from where we draw our very life. Pope Benedict asks all people to draw near to God’s love, because it holds the deepest desire of the human heart. In this book, Anna Burke ponders some of the images and metaphors from Sacramentum Caritatis and offers resources for personal and communal prayer and for group reflection. Part One: Prayers At Table leads us on a journey through the Mass. The prayers focus on the various liturgical moments of the sacred rite and help to heighten our awareness of the communion of all creation in the Sacred Mystery. Part Two: Stories At Table explores some key texts from Scripture which direct us to the table of Communion.

The relationship between early Christianity in Arabia and the development of Islam was a question that absorbed Louis Cheikho’s attention. In this Arabic volume he directly addresses Christianity and Christian literature in Arabia before the rise of Islam.

Job finds himself in a situation similar to one experienced by everyone at some point in his or her life. He wants answers to questions concerning what has happened to him, since he lived his life according to the traditional wisdom and rules of conduct, asking what has gone wrong and why. The Book of Job raises fundamental questions of both the actions and expectations of humans and deities, and asks whether a clear understanding can be reached between them. The contributing essays to this anthology help advance and sharpen both the questions and the responses to that question.

David the king, when studied against the backdrop of existing material cultural remains from the ancient Middle East, scarcely seems to have been there. Excavations in Jerusalem have turned up nothing concrete about his existence. The literature concerning him is fraught with problems and generally takes on a legendary-mythological character. Even the meaning of his name is unclear. If he is mentioned at all by his contemporary monarchs against whom he would have fought it is only obliquely or only intimated by omissions or partial spellings in context. This volume attempts to advance scholarship addressing these concerns.

Joining the Dots is a programme in spiritual renewal for all involved in the school system. Originally designed for teachers in the Catholic setting, through piloting it has since evolved beyond teaching staff to include special needs assistants, administrative staff, parents, members of boards of management, parish educators, pastoral ministers, and indeed combinations of all these groups. Comprising a five-week programme of one evening per week, Joining the Dots is designed to address the challenge of linking one’s experience of life, personal spiritual quest and work in a Catholic school, attempting to give participants time and space to reflect on the personal reality of their own spirituality and how this integrates with their lives.

This book celebrates the gift of the senses and the way in which they allow us to appreciate the beauty of our landscape. In his evocative and moving passages, Patrick O’Sullivan draws our attention to the beauty and peace inherent in nature, renewing our sense of wonder, deepening our insight into our own place in the world, and helping us respect the generosity of the natural world around us.

These reflections on the Eucharist range from deep theological consideration to practical advice on the imperative of living the Mass through consistency between worship and daily living. Some given as homilies, others published in such journals as Irish Theological Quarterly, the reflections were prepared and refined over many years of Cardinal Daly’s life as a priest, bishop and cardinal. Cardinal Daly, who died in 2009, was a theological and spiritual giant whose published work included learned philosophical books, his thoughts on peace and violence in Ireland and his insights into moral issues. During the months before his death, an abiding desire of the Cardinal was that the theological reflections contained in this new book be published in advance of the Eucharistic Congress in Ireland in 2012.

This book is an interesting and important contribution to the dialogue between the Churches in Ireland. It brings together theologians and pastors from two Christian traditions in Ireland – Catholicism and Presbyterianism – to explore the legacy of two significant figures, John Calvin and Ignatius Loyola. Calvin and Loyola, contemporaries in their student days at the University of Paris, in the turmoil of the Reformation subsequently chose different paths. The papers in this collection from a conference held in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, put into relief the important values they held in common – a profound faith in Christ, a dedication to? his people in the community of the Church and to mission as they understood it.?

Drawing its title from the end of the Gospel according to John – ‘that we might have life in his name’ (Jn 20:31) – this book explores many and varied aspects of the new life that opened up in the event of Jesus Christ. The editors, both professors at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, have gathered contributions for renowned scholars who believe the Christian life is one of faith and reason. What comes across in this work is how much a ‘thinking’ faith is essential for Christians and never more so than in a secularised age. But not only is it a ‘thinking faith’, it is also a life that seeks spontaneously to ‘communicate’ what it has seen and touched, heard and lived. The chapters of this book are clearly divided under headings that suggest a vivid interplay of life in the name of Christ, thought shaped by Christian faith and the missionary communication of the Gospel in today’s world. This book has been inspired by a number of factors. In recent times, with church scandals and the complex dynamics of secularisation, a serious crisis of the meaning of the Christian faith and of belonging to the Church has emerged. All of this calls for greater reflection on what Christian faith has to offer.

This book brings together a selection of well-known and popular poems, prayers and reflections that will provide the perfect starting point for group lessons or for private meditation. In reading these pieces, we are encouraged to deepen our spiritual and moral awareness and to develop positive Christian values and attitudes towards God, others and the natural world in which we live. Daily Joy is a wonderful celebration of God and faith.

In Breaking the Word – Reflections for the Year of Mark, Megan McKenna presents commentaries and reflections for the liturgical year of Mark. In her own inimitable style, the author reflects on readings for the Sundays and feast days of this year, accompanying the reader through the peaks and troughs of the biblical landscape and making scriptural connections to life that will challenge, uplift and sustain. Breaking the Word will be an invaluable as a resource for homilies, personal reflection or group study.

The contributors have tried to reconstruct the mingling of two cultures, Greek and Italian, in sixteenth century Venice. This is examined through the medium of a single intricately carved wooden cross, executed by a Greek carver, with adaptations suitable to a member of the Latin church. We can identify the carver who made the cross and make some speculations about his life, and how he and his art are reflective of this hybrid culture. This type of cross seems to be for personal, rather than liturgical use, and it seems to be intended for private meditation on the Passion.

Moments: in innocent incidents and everday occurrences; in the words we use; in letters, text messages; in natural phenomena; in lines of poetry, anecdotes; in chance meetings; in the comings and goings of everyday life … Writer and broadcaster John Quinn’s new anthology, Moments, is a personal collection of words, events and observations that console, cheer, nourish, heal. Moments that are brief and often fleeting but, once caught and held, offer meaning to our lives and bear significance in their very simplicity, opening the door into what Yeats called ‘the rag and bone shop of the heart …’ The ‘moments’ contained within are drawn from John’s personal and professional life and, as a collection, they offer the reader opportunities to pause and reflect – little oases in our busy modern lives.

Veritas presents the Gospel of Mark. Beautifully illustrated, this special edition makes a wonderful addition to any church, school or parish centre. Also featured is the Lectio divina, an ancient way of praying with scripture and promoting communion with God.