I ordered this book out of deference to a brief friendship with the author, who has recently passed away. Reading it these past weeks renewed my admiration for the technical depth of Carroll Stuhlmueller, coupled with his exceptional grasp of pastoral priorities. It also enriched this past Easter Season as I read his reflections each day. I was reminded that I have yet to read one of his books or articles without a sense of renewal. The book is excellent for any Christian reader looking for a deeper relationship with Scripture, because it provides exceptional insights into the liturgical season of highest majesty, the Easter Season. These include many of the most important readings of the Christian Scriptures. Father Carroll's writings are sensitive to the entire Christian community, although the book is organized around the Lectionary used by Roman Catholics and several mainline Protestant groups. The author's particular depth with the Hebrew scriptures is evident, although most of the scriptural references are from the New Testament. As a Catholic Deacon, I found his insights helpful in preparing homilies, especially for weekday Masses. There is considerable overlap among the readings around Easter, I expect for greater emphasis. It can be challenging to add a dimension to homilies on similar scriptures compressed into a short time period. His ability to relate the Word to our current life settings gave me several "aha" moments, often the crux of an effective homily. I never heard Father Carroll preach. I knew him through his scholarship and through a unique experience in participating in a video program with him and his Catholic Theological Union associates. Having read this book, I feel I must have missed a powerful homilist. In testimony to my 5 star rating, I have ordered the entire series of Biblical Meditations that he authored for Paulist Press, covering the rest of the liturgical Year. I trust the community I serve will be much richer when I have added his insights to my future homilies.

After a more thorough review, I realize now that I gave this edition of the New American bible a rating which was too high. Really it should get 2 stars, perhaps 3 at best. A much better edition of the New American Bible would be the St. Joseph's Edition, Classic edition. The St. Joseph's Edition and the Catholic Study Bible have the same introductions and notes, except that the additional materials in the St. Joseph's Edition are better. The Catholic Study Bible's reading guides and the guide to the lectionary reflect current trends among some popular theologians, but do not do much to illuminate the Church's teachings. The material in these reading guides one can get out of a decent introduction to the Bible. In addition to the good introductions and decent notes of the New American Bible, the St. Joseph's Edition provides a bible dictionary, a biblical/doctrinal index with citations to key texts supporting Catholic doctrine, and helpful illustrations and maps. The St. Joseph's Edition also contains the text of the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation from Vatican II and a helpful guide to reading the Bible. I would say that the St. Joseph's Edition is, for the money, a much better buy and a safer guide to reading the Bible from an orthodox Catholic perspective.

The Catholic Study Bible is one of the best study bibles for students and scholars of biblical criticism. The biggest asset is the extensive Reading Guides which are very helpful for gaining a historical perspective and general background on all books of the bible. The New American Bible translation and footnotes are understandable enough, but this study bible lacks an important feature: an index or concordance. This study bible is recommended mainly for those in serious critical bible study, not normally for the mainstream Christian.

The Catholic Study Bible is one of the best study bibles for students and scholars of biblical criticism. The biggest asset: the extensive Reading Guides, which are very helpful for gaining a historical perspective and general background on all books of the bible. The New American Bible translation and footnotes are understandable enough, but this study bible lacks an important feature: an index or concordance. This study bible is recommended mainly for those in serious critical bible study, not those in mainstream Christianity.