Gospel of Mark, The (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture)

I recommend this authors work, she shares exceptional insights.

I used it during a Bible study of the Gospel of Mark and found it to be a great resource. I appreciated the noting of the exact paragraph on the outer space of the page. The explanations and comparisons to the Old Testament prophecies helped me deepen my understanding. It's a great Gospel...and this was a great complementary book. Dr. Healy brings her research to us in a manner that is readily understood by a non-intellectual. I highly recommend it to get the most of of the Gospel of Mark!

Dr. Healy does a great job explaining the typology that is found in the Gospel of Mark and it has a profound meaning. Read this book even if you’re not Catholic, it will change the way you read Scripture.

I had the pleasure of conducting a 17 week Bible study of Mark (intro and then one chapter per week) in my parish using this book as the primary text. All participants purchased and used the book as well. In preparing to facilitate the lessons, I gathered together many other commentaries on Mark. My approach was to ask questions of the scripture text for the week before reading any commentaries. Then, beginning with Healy, I would search the commentaries for answers. What impressed me most was the breadth of the scholarship and the insight Healy brings. It was not often that she didn't address a question that I proposed. Then, when I would check other commentaries I would often find that she took the finest scholarship from these other sources as well as her own insights and combine them in such a way as to bring out the best from each in a coherent and understandable way. I am not a Biblical scholar but I think I've become a pretty careful reader of scripture. Yet she often catches things that, even after careful reading, I hadn't considered, thus deepening my appreciation for the Biblical text and Healy's scholarship.In addition, references after each scripture passage to the OT and NT and the gospel parallels are a great addition to help the student come to a better appreciation of the content and unity of the Bible. CCC references assist in aiding understanding on how applicable verses fit in doctrinally to the Catholic Church. Sidebars, pictures, suggested resources, and an index of pastoral topics all add to the usefulness of the volume. A Discussion Guide available on the CCSS website was well-received as a way to spur group discussion. Sporadic "Reflection and Application" sections in the book could also be used for discussion.I can't recommend this book highly enough as a work of top flight scholarship that could be of use to those with advanced degrees yet is very accessible to any educated and engaged reader.

I am not a member of the Roman Catholic Church. I am a member of a protestant denomination. This Commentary is written especially with Roman Catholics in mind. Included are numerous quotations and references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and decisions of Catholic councils. As a protestant there are things in this book that I disagree with.Having said all of that I can still say that this is an outstanding commentary. I have read several Commentaries on the Gospel of Mark, both technical and non-technical, and I would have to say that of those I have read, this one has been the most helpful of the non-technical variety in clearly presenting what the text says. The commentary uses the text of the NAB throughout.This is not my favorite translation of the Bible, but it's not a bad one. Each section has a reference to a part of the Catholic Catechism that relates to that section, and also points out where the text occurs in the Roman Lectionary.That is followed by an explanation of the text, which is then followed by a reflection section, which gives practical applications of the section. Scattered throughout are sidebars that give historical or theological information, or writings from the Church Fathers.For me exegesis sections are most useful. Professor Healey seems to have a very high regard for Scripture, and interprets the Bible carefully and honestly. Her explanations of the Biblical passages are clear and easy to understand. I also find the references to the Church Fathers very helpful.It is interesting that the book is published by Baker Publishing House, a Protestant publisher. Perhaps it was thought that that this series would have some appeal to Protestants as well as Catholics. Personally I think that this commentary would be useful for all Christians who want to better understand the message of St. Mark's Gospel.

I found this Catholic Commentary series while searching for help in preparing for a parish bible sharing group. Mark is the first book in the series that I purchased and used. I find myself reading past the passage I am preparing due to Mary Healy's style. A few reviewers have said that her book is a great homily help and I can see why. She has taken academic language and interpreted it in the style of the layperson. She uses the text of the New American Bible. It also has a Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur.I found the format clear, easy to follow and the paperback text easy on the eyes. The bible passage is given followed by the commentary which gives historical background, pulls in relevant New and Old Testament passage as well as referencing the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Church Fathers are relied upon and used to illuminate the text. Most passages have a "Reflection and Application" section that makes the Commentary more than just an academic subject - it brings what Jesus said or did back to modern day life. Further information is given in "Biblical Background" and "Living Tradition" inserts.The reference helps in the back consist of "Suggested Resources," "Glossary" and "Index of Pastoral Topics". The resource section provided references that are scholarly, from the Tradition and popular, many I had not heard of. All in all I would heartily recommend this text to anyone interested in studying the Gospel of Mark on their own or in a group. I do not thing they will be disappointed.

So much bro learn, these insights are amazing!

This is a fantastic commentary. Very well written. It contains all the information needed for a serious exegete, but at the same time has supplemental information that makes it accessible to someone who is just starting to dig into scripture. I would highly recommend anyone who starts reading the Bible to have these books to assist them.

This series is an excellent one for any Christian wanting to know more about the meaning of the Gospel message. It is certainly impeccably Catholic, and one of its notable features are the frequent text-boxes on 'Living Tradition' which put some notable passages in the context of the long history of Christian exegesis, so whether you want to know more about exorcisms or the Apostolic succession, you can find clear and concise explanations. The boxes on the 'Biblical background', will also tell you all you need to know about Herod, Roman Emperors, the Pharisees, and almost anything else you need. The illustrations are apt and clear, and the commentary itself could not be clearer. Even those Christians who think they are familiar with the Gospels will learn something from this commentary. It is approachable, and those who worry about the word 'Catholic', really should not. Pope Benedict has recently adjured us all to read the Bible more and to read it with prayer; this excellent commentary will help us all.This looks like being an excellent series, and I hope that the other volumes keep up this very high standard.

Inhalt sehr gut.Papier und Druckqualität: sehr schlecht. Ich habe nicht die Originalversion, sondern eine in Deutschland gedruckte Version zugeschockt bekommen. Ligt aber nicht am Verlag. Gedruckt wurde das Buch "by Amazon Distribution GmbH Leipzig." Sowohl die Papier- als auch die Auflösungsqualität sind sehr schlecht.

Recommend to every catholic! Very carefully wrote and you can see the effort that has gone in to this work. Will help you to come closer to God through scripture and give you outlooks which have rarely been touched on.