The Word on the Web

The Word on the Web
An Internet Hotlist on line at www.kn.sbc.com/wired/fil/pages/listpreachergr.html

created by Gregory Heille, O.P.
Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, Missouri

Introduction
Gregory Heille, O.P., is Professor of Homiletics at Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, Missouri, where he currently serves as Academic Dean and Vice President. He can be reached at heille@ai.edu.

No question about it, the world wide web is a boon to preachers--and perhaps especially to busy preachers on a budget. The challenge is finding sites that serve biblical interpretation, congregational and cultural analysis, and interaction with other preachers--without giving over to canned sermons or other (sometimes expensive) quick fixes. The following annotated list of preaching websites is by no means exhaustive. Yet, it can help serious preachers to sample several available resources and bookmark a few tried and true study resources on their computer.

A few tips for preaching preparation with the use of these resources could be the following:

--Print out the lectionary texts, using one of the sites for Catholic or the Revised Common Lectionary below.

--Before consulting printed or online Bible commentaries, take contemplative time to encounter the text in prayer and meditation. An excellent approach to this step, which can be done either individually or communally, is Lectio Divina. A website is offered below to introduce you to this ancient contemplative practice of meditating on the Word.

--Once you have prayerfully encountered the Word on your own terms, look for web resources that expose you to a range of biblical interpretation of the texts. Resources that offer a social-scientific study of the world behind the biblical texts, as well as resources exploring the social-cultural world in which we live in front of the texts, can be particularly helpful.

--Let your web study support and expand your contemplative insights and sense of direction. As you prepare to preach, remember you are not giving a Bible lecture or some stranger's sermon or interpretation of the texts--you are letting the text reveal itself in your pastoral dialogue with your people as Good News and Word of God.

--Be humble, and don't be afraid to talk about difficult subjects, and seek feedback from your people so that you can improve as a preacher.

--Remember, too, to keep an eye open for those few printed commentaries or resources that you might want to acquire for your personal library. More and more wonderful resources are being made available in biblical studies. There are also many wonderful books on preaching. Some of the best publishers in preaching are Abingdon, Chalice, Continuum, Eerdmans, Fortress, Liturgical, and Westminster John Knox.

A handful of sites are titled in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS as especially deserving of your initial attention.

The Internet Resources

Bible

Bible Gateway - Biblical texts are available online in thirty-one languages and in nineteen English translations.
LECTIO DIVINA - Contemplative reading of biblical texts using the Benedictine practice of Lectio Divina is an excellent beginning step for any preaching preparation. An introduction to Lectio is presented by Fr. Luke Dysinger, O.S.B., of Valyermo Abbey in California. The method presented here can be used individually or in a Bible study or preaching preparation group.
New American Bible - The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops homepage offers the full text of the New American Bible, as well as the Roman Catholic lectionary texts for weekdays and Sundays.
New Jerusalem Bible with Apocrypha - Thanks to the Knights of Columbus, here is an online NJB.
New Revised Standard Version Bible - This online NRSV Bible includes books of the Old and New Testaments and the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books of the Old Testament.
Perseus, sponsored by Tufts University - To parse the Scriptures in Greek (or other Greek texts), use the Search feature on the home page or click on 'Classics' at the top of the left hand column. This page has payoffs for those willing to configure the page to their needs and to play with the possibilities.
Revised Standard Version Bible - This online RSV Bible includes books of the Old and New Testaments and the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books of the Old Testament.
Scripture for All - This free interlinear bible and concordance software can be downloaded directly to a computer.

Catholic Lectionary--General

ROMAN CATHOLIC LECTIONARY - The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops homepage offers the full text of the New American Bible as well as the Roman Catholic lectionary texts for weekdays and Sundays.
AMERICA MAGAZINE THE GOOD WORD BLOG - The Good Word is a weekly blog on preaching and scripture.
AMERICA MAGAZINE THE WORD COLUMN - America Magazine offers a weekly column on the current readings for Sunday.
Andrew M. Greeley Homilies - Each Sunday includes background and a story. The archive goes back to 1995.
Athenaeum of Ohio - Weekly Sunday homilies and exegesis for Sunday are posted by Mt. St. Mary's Seminary in Cincinnati.
Biblia Clerus: Reading the Word of God with the Church. - This program offers scriptural interpretation in light of Sacred Tradition and the teachings of the Magisterium, with appropriate theological commentary and exegesis, by connecting to complete works of many Doctors of the Church, Councils, Encyclicals, teachings of the Popes, Catechisms, as well as commentaries from secular literature, etc. In English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish.
Blauvelt Dominican Sisters - Brief reflections on the Sunday scriptures are posted by the Blauvelt (New York) Dominican Sisters.
Blue Collar Preacher - Edited by Fr Jim Schmitmeyer of Cincinnati, Blue Collar Preacher is a meeting place for preachers and listeners alike to draw connections between the world of work and the world of the Bible.
CENTER FOR LITURGY OF ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY - This resource is a comprehensive site designed for use by all members of the assembly in preparation for the Sunday liturgy. Site includes prayers in preparation for scripture reflection, reflections on the spirituality of the Sunday Mass, commentary on the readings including historical/cultural context and thoughts from early church writers, music ideas, and additional annotated links. An early-stage Spanish site also is included.
Catholic Homilies - Web links connect the reader to a number of sample Sunday and weekday Catholic homilies. The page--part of the internet ministry of Fr. Nicholas J. O'Brien, Leesburg, Florida--also includes links to homiletic resources and other reflection and exegesis sites, as well as illustrations and stories that can be used in preaching.
Catholic Lectionary Homilies and Ideas - Preaching reflections for each Sunday of the three-year cycle are posted by Fr. Jim Mazzone of Worcester, Massachusetts, and are indexed by liturgical year, scriptural citation, themes, and holy days and feasts.
Creighton University Daily Reflection - These reflections on the daily and Sunday readings are sponsored by the Collaborative Ministry Office of Creighton University and prepared by members of the university faculty and staff, lay and ordained.
Daily Gospel - The daily gospel text with commentary is available online or by free email in Arabic, Dutch, English, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Deacon Sil's Homiletic Resource Center - This page is designed by a Roman Catholic deacon with the hope that it could be a one-stop resource page for preachers of the Word of all denominations. Resources are listed according to the various texts of the day for either the Revised Common, Roman Catholic or Episcopal lectionaries. After a free thirty day trial period, there is a $40 annual membership fee.
Homilies - Fr. Tommy Lane of the Diocese of Cloyne, Ireland, offers homilies for the current liturgical year and other years in the liturgical cycle. He also offers homilies for feast days, Holy Week, Triduum, and thematic homilies.
Liturgy.com - A subscription service of Oregon Catholic Press at $99 for five subscribers, this is a comprehensive liturgy preparation resource for Sunday and special liturgies (daily version also available) with music suggestions, lectionary readings, sacramentary prayers, homilies, Scripture commentaries, general intercessions, pastoral articles, bulletin notes, Spanish resources, and more.
Liturgy: Worship that Works--Spirituality that Connects - A comprehensive worship resource site by Bosco Peters in New Zealand.
PREACHER'S EXCHANGE - This site, also available by free email subscription, provides diverse spiritual reflections, insights, quotations, etc., for preaching from a Catholic perspective with a social justice and ecumenical focus. 'First Impressions: Sunday Scripture Reflections' by Jude Siciliano, O.P., the Promoter of Preaching of the Dominican Southern Province, provides thoughts and impressions on upcoming Sunday lectionary readings. 'Homilias Dominicales' provides Spanish-language reflections on Sunday lectionary readings by Dominican friars of the Southern Dominican Province (not a translation of 'First Impressions'). 'First Impressions: Volume Two' offers contributions and reflections made by subscribers to Preachers' Exchange--ordained, religious, and lay--providing a diverse source of insights and some exegetical information. 'Preachers' Exchange Articles' offers a listing of articles an the Sunday readings.
Pastoral Review - Commentary for daily lectionary readings in this British journal is written by Aquinas Institute of Theology doctoral graduate, Deacon Duncan Macpherson.
Predication - The Dominicans of Belgium offer a three-year Sunday commentary in Belgian.
Reflecting on Sunday's Readings - Intended for small group discussions, each reflection on the Sunday readings provides an introductory reflection on some aspect of the readings or on personal spirituality. The page is hosted by Emmaus Journey, a Catholic small group bible discussion series.
Roman Catholic Lectionary: Jerusalem Bible and Gaelic - The Catholic Church in Ireland posts daily and Sunday readings in Jerusalem Bible translation or in Gaelic.
SANCHEZ ARCHIVES - This online archive of commentaries on the Roman Lectionary was composed by Patricia Datchuck Sï¿½nchez and previously published in the homiletic section of Celebration. These commentaries provide a scholarly but accessible study of the scriptures assigned to all Sundays and most major feasts for Years A, B, and C. The archive can be searched by year, season, or specific Sunday.
Sinsinawa Dominicans - A weekly preaching reflection on the Sunday Lectionary is posted under News and Events.
Sunday Reflections - This weekly blog is hosted by Mount St. Joseph Jesuit Novitiate, Bangalore, and is written by Freddie D'Silva, S.J., and Eugene Lobo. S.J.
Sunday's Gospel Reflections - A project of the Ðồng Hành Christian Life Community, available also in a Vietnamese edition and by email
The Practice of Jesus - This New Zealand site offers short background information on the three readings of the Sunday Liturgy. It has a reflection section at the end. Sections address comments, ideas, prayers, analysis, imagery, liturgy resources, justice issues, society and culture, economics, and the world.
Today's Good News - A brief daily commentary by the Dominicans of Ireland is also available for cell phone.
Torch - A homily for the upcoming Sunday is posted in advance. Archives date back to 1999 and are indexed by date and liturgical cycle. This site is put together by the English Dominican Province and is available also by email service.

Catholic Lectionary--Justice and Spanish

CENTER FOR CONCERN SUNDAY REFLECTIONS - Edited by Fr. John Bucki, S.J., the site relates Sunday texts to Catholic Social Teaching.
Catholic Homilies/Homilias Catolicas - This site, fully bilingual in English and Spanish, provides a table for the complete current liturgical year and many useful links.
Homilias Dominicales - This service of 'Preachers' Exchange' provides Spanish-language reflections on Sunday lectionary readings by Dominican friars of the Southern Dominican Province.
Krysallis - This site, which gives homilies in English and Spanish, is based on liberation theology and proposes 'liberation preaching' as an expression of the prophetic nature of ministry.
Peace Connections - Thomas L. Garlitz, the Director of the Peace and Social Justice Ministry of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, gives weekly reflections correlating the Sunday readings to issues of peace and justice.
Predicacion - This Spanish language site of the Dominican friars in Spain includes La Palabra, dia a dia (The daily Word), commentaries on the sacred scriptures, homilies, links to other web sites, preaching resources for children's homilies, and prayers.
Sermons from the Bed - Gordon J. Hilsman, D. Min., is a CPE educator living in Fircrest, Washington with his wife of twenty-five years. This page offers an almost weekly reflection on the Sunday Catholic lectionary illustrated with intimate loving examples.
Servicio Biblico Latinomericano - Emphasis is placed on community action and social justice in the context of Latin America. In addition to exegesis on the Gospel, this Brazilian site suggests points for reflection at the personal as well as community levels. It also gives suggestions for the prayers of the faithful. The site is given in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian.
The Girardian Lectionary - Weekly reflections on the Sunday lectionary through the interpretive lens of the cultural theories of Rene Girard.

Ecumenical and Revised Common Lectionary--English and Spanish

Revised Common Lectionary - The online Revised Common Lectionary is a project of the Vanderbilt University Divinity Library.
African American Lectionary - This online resource highlights the African American ecclesial traditions and moments that creatively express the joy, freedom, and the challenges of being both African American and Christian (e.g., Watch Night, African Heritage Sunday, Usher's Day, and Women's Day), while also drawing on the seasons of the liturgical year.
Calvin Theological Seminary Center for Excellence in Preaching - In this comprehensive resource site for preachers, I particularly recommend the Faculty Statement on Excellence in Preaching.
Commentaries on the Revised Common Lectionary - The Anglican Diocese of Montreal offers weekly readings from the Bible along with brief explanatory comments and background materials on the biblical books.
Desperate Preacher's Site - This website of Rev. Dr. Douglas K. Showalter of the United Church of Christ is a page for exchanging and sharing ideas, experiences, and readings on sermons, preaching, and worship with other preachers.
Homiletics Online - This is the subscription online service of Homiletics magazine
Kid's Sermons - This site for preaching with children is provided by the Presbytery of Kiskiminetas of rural Western Pennsylvania.
Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons - Bible studies and sermons are given for the Revised Common Lectionary, along with studies on theology, liturgy, and the Anglican church. Discussion questions are also provided.
Lectionary Resources - Professor Bill Loader of the Uniting Church of Australia offers first thoughts on different passages from the Gospels in the Lectionary. These are not exegetical commentaries, although they include exegetical observations.
McGregor Page: Children's Page and Preaching the Lectionary - Also available by email service, this page is dedicated to homilies for young adults and children. The homilies are short, fun, direct, and applicable. The adult page is insightful.
Mennolink: Preaching and Teaching Resources - This Mennonite preaching page includes Bibles, translations, commentaries, and other helps.
Out in Scripture - This Human Rights Campaign resource places comments about the biblical texts of the Revised Common Lectionary alongside the experiences and concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people of faith.
Sermon Central - This page boasts 140,000 free sermons, accessible by category, scripture, key word, topic, audience age, contributor, and denomination.
Sermon Writer: Sermon Resources for Lectionary Preaching - This subscription site, which may be explored by guests, gives exegesis, sermons, true stories, thought provokers, and hymns.
Sermons and Sermon-Lectionary Resources - This extensive collection by Rev. Richard Fairchild (United Church of Canada) includes year A,B,C, Easter. Christmas, Seasonal, Special occasions, etc., and is based on the Revised Common Lectionary. The site also includes childrenï¿½s stories, hymns, journals, and more.
THE TEXT THIS WEEK - This ecumenical page includes links and general resources for each Sunday of the Revised Common Lectionary, including stories, movie connections, artwork, and reflections and questions to enhance prayer and study. Additional resources are included for the Roman Catholic, ELCA, and United Methodist lectionaries.
Working Preacher - Here is a preaching website by Luther Seminary (ELCA), St. Paul, Minnesota.

Publications and Media

Catholic News Service - Though not a preaching resource, this service carries news pertaining to the Catholic Church and world at large, with links to Catholic resources.
Collins Sunday and Daily Missals - The Collins Sunday Missal and Daily Missal are the official Missals for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and is widely used in English-speaking churches across Europe, Africa, and Asia. At the Collins website, enter the search term: misssal.
Dominican Life | USA - See the Preacher Resources link at this online news magazine of the Dominicans, the Order of Preachers.
FULFILLED IN YOUR HEARING: THE HOMILY IN THE SUNDAY ASSEMBLY - Issues by the Bishops' Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry in 1982, Fulfilled in Your Hearing represents a major contribution by the United States Bishops on preaching and preaching preparation. The document is now available online in Adobe Acrobat format.
Food for Thought TV - Food4thought is a non-profit organization whose mission is to build a media library of personal self-development content with a foundation in faith. Our aim is to provide an on-demand source of Good Preaching and Good Music.
HOMILETIC - This is a freely accessible, peer-reviewed journal sponsored by the Academy of Homiletics.
Lectionary Homiletics - This is the homepage of Lectionary Homiletics magazine.
Living Pulpit - This online quarterly journal focuses thematically on issues in preaching. Past topics have included Hope, Faith, Love, Evil, Justice, Prayer, Anger, Jesus, Forgiving, Conflict, Community, Grace, Suffering, Life, Christmas, and Holy Spirit.
Living with Christ - If you prefer to subscribe to a pocket-sized monthly missalette of daily and Sunday Scripture readings, a great number of people subscribe to Living with Christ, available in English or French. American subscribers receive a New American Bible. edition. A bigger than pocket-sized, large-print version also is available. To subscribe, go online and type Living with Christ into the search window, or call 800-387-7164. See also 'Magnificat.'
Magnificat - Magnificat is a nother pocket-sized daily and Sunday prayer book available in English, Spanish, French, or Belgian. MagnifiKid is a missalette subscription service for children aged seven to twelve. Go online or call 877-632-9657. See also 'Living with Christ'
Pope Benedict XVI - The pope's homilies are posted at the Vatican homepage.
Pope John Paul II - The pope's homilies are posted at the Vatican homepage.
Preacher's Library for Biblical Interpretation - Twenty volumes are recommended for consideration by Gregory Heille, O.P., of Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, in consultation with Aquinas Institute Advanced Preaching students.
Preaching Without Notes - An on-line companion to Joseph Webb's book on Preaching Without Notes, this homepage features several of Webb's essays, audio sermons preached without notes, and a free online ebook on How to Preach Your Own Sacred Stories.
S.A.M.U.E.L. - The United Church of Christ offers this comprehensive resource site for worship, Bible study, and sermon preparation.
THE WORD: A DAILY DOSE OF DOMINICAN PREACHING - The Word is a service of the Order of Preachers, offering audible daily reflections on the Christian scriptures. Preachers are drawn from the entire worldwide Dominican family of priests, brothers, sisters, and lay people. Reflections can also be podcasted.
Word on Fire - This is a webpage of Catholic evangelical preaching sponsored by Fr. Robert Barron, a theologian of Mundelein Seminary in Chicago.

Organizations

Academy of Homiletics - The Academy of Homiletics is the North American association for teachers of homiletics, holding an annual conference in December.
Academy of Preachers - The Academy of Preachers is a new initiative in the Louisville area, underwritten by the Lilly Endowment, designed to identify, network, inspire, and support young people who sense a call to Christian preaching (students in high school, college, university, and seminary, roughly between the ages of 16 and 28).
Aquinas Institute of Theology - Aquinas Institute of Theology, Saint Louis, Missouri, offers a summer Preaching Institute, a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry in Preaching, and a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori.
Catholic Association of Teachers of Homiletics (CATH) - CATH meets annually in December, in conjunction with the annual conference of the Academy of Homiletics.
Catholic Coalition on Preaching (CCOP) - The Catholic Coalition on Preaching is a twenty-one member organization supporting a renewal of preaching in the Catholic Church in the United States.
College of Preachers - The College of Preachers is an English network of preachers some experienced and some new to the task, ordained and lay, from different denomnations and traditions, drawn together by a shared belief that good preaching matters, who want to help each other fulfill their preaching ministry.
Dominican Central - The homepage of the Dominican Central Province is a major Dominican gateway which includes many preaching resources and links.
Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference - Information is given about the annual Dominican High School Preaching Conference.
Dominican Publications - Search the Dominican Publications homepage for resources for Sunday preaching, including 'The Gracious Word A, B, C: Commentary on Sunday and Holy Day Reading'; 'New Sunday and Holy Day Readings: Year A, B, and C'; and 'Scripture in Church'--a subscription journal on the Sunday readings in editions for Ireland, the Europeon Union, and Great Britain and Northern Ireland (also in CDRom).
National Institute for the Word of God - The National Institute for the Word of God, founded by Eastern Province Dominican John Burke, O.P., conducts programs in preaching, liturgy, catechetics, Bible sharing, lector training, parish renewal, and research.
Partners in Preaching - Partners in Preaching is a national ministry of consultation, training, and formation for the Church's ministry of liturgical preaching. The vision of Partners in Preaching is that every local faith community would have competent, diverse, and empowered ordained and lay voices for ritual preaching.
Preaching the Just Word - Preaching the Just Word is a national program of the Woodstock Theological Center, conceived by Walter J. Burghardt, S.J., and coordinated by both Fr. Burghardt and Fr. Raymond B. Kemp.
Wabash Center Internet Guide: Preaching - This ecumenical compilation of links by the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion is divided into the following categories: Syllabi and Teaching Resources, Electronic Texts, Electronic Journals, Web Sites, Bibliographies, and Listserv Discussion Groups.

Content by Gregory Heille, O.P., heille@ai.edu
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listpreachergr.html
Last revised Mon Aug 23 6:35:03 US/Pacific 2010