Walking the Parables of Jesus: A Journey into the Words, Life and Times of Jesus Christ, authored by Deacon Bob Evans

Walking the Parables of Jesus: A Journey into the Words, Life and Times of Jesus Christ

by Deacon Bob Evans

Walking the Parables of Jesus is a unique treatment of Jesus’ parables. Drawing on the work of many scholars, the author takes those who seek a deeper understanding of the Christian faith on a “journey” with Jesus’ disciples, from one town to another, as Jesus shared His parables in their original order and context. What is especially new and engaging in this book is the application of insights from Middle Eastern Biblical Anthropology. People of Jesus’ time listened to and told stories differently than people do in Western cultures today. Through applying those insights, a fresh understanding is gained of what Jesus intended at the time He spoke, as well as what the evangelists intended in later recounting the story of Jesus sharing the parable.

Paperback $34.95 | Kindle $9.99

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Download the Media Kit here!

Listen to "Dcn. Peter Lovrick interviews Dcn. Bob Evans concerning his book Walking the Parables of Jesus (March 26, 2020)" on Spreaker.

Listen to "Dcn. Bob Evans gives a talk on how to walk the parables of Jesus (November 25, 2019)" on Spreaker.

Listen to "Episode 38: “The Spoken Word of God,” an interview with Deacon Bob Evans on his book, Walking the Parables of Jesus (August 4, 2019)" on Spreaker.

Deacon Bob Evans reads the first chapter of his book. Click play below to listen.

Listen to "WCAT Radio Walking the Parables of Jesus (April 25, 2019)" on Spreaker.

REVIEWS

Dcn. Peter Lovrick, Homiletic and Pastoral Review. (April, 2021). Click here for the review

TESTIMONIALS

“Walking the Parables of Jesus is quite an achievement, congratulations on that. Unlike other approaches to the parables, this book put them in a context of various journeys of Jesus. I think one of the strengths of the book is all of the interesting background material provided, some of which is valuable for New Testament study in general. I am sure this book will be beneficial as an informative spiritual guide for its intended audience.” — Rev. Dr. John Paul Heil, Professor of New Testament, The Catholic University of America

“I highly recommend this beautifully written spiritual guide through the parables of Our Lord. Deacon Bob Evans’ book Walking the Parables of Jesus helps to strengthen one’s friendship with Jesus. As Jesus said: ‘You are my friends if you do what I command you'” [Jn 15:14]. – Most Rev. James S. Wall, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup

“In Walking the Parables of Jesus, Deacon Bob Evans takes us on a pilgrimage, a “walking journey” along the Jordan River and throughout the Judean countryside as disciples of an itinerant Jewish Rabbi of His times. Dcn Bob opens to our senses the sights, the smells, the sounds, the historical context of Jesus’ teaching stories. We become a part of the history of that time and place as we travel along with Jesus and His disciples. We delight in the profound simplicity of Jesus’s parable stories, which speak directly to the experiences and trials shared in our own daily lives. Deacon Bob’s imaginative writing style helps us to engage our own imaginations and to ‘see’ a mental picture as we walk along with Jesus on our own spiritual journey. Amen.” – Deacon James Trant, Director of the Diaconate, Diocese of Phoenix

“Walking the Parables of Jesus is a great gift to all who love Scripture. It is a unique feast of biblical commentary and meditation. Those reading this work will be gifted with more knowledge of the Word and led by this same Word into prayer.” – Deacon James Keating, Director of Theological Formation, Institute for Priestly Formation

“When I consider that Jesus intended to teach and draw His disciples and us close to Him by using parables, I am so grateful for this book! The ‘Details’ are both relevant to the intellect and treasures for the heart. If we want to draw closer to Jesus we need to read and understand His word. This brilliantly written and keenly crafted book helps us to do just that. Thank you, Deacon Bob, for sharing such a bounty in this superb book.” – Julie Carrick, Catholic Recording Artist & Inspirational Speaker

“From page one on, Deacon Evans grips the interests of both the academic and the person in the pew with a fascinating perspective on the parables of Jesus. Through Evans’ expert background explanations and by the portrait he paints of each parable, it is impossible for readers not to feel as though they were sitting with Jesus as he spoke each of these teachings of faith. While Walking the Parables of Jesus is an excellent resource text, it is an even better inspirational servant of the soul!” – Dennis Lambert, author of The Table, winner of two 2018 Catholic Press Association awards

“In the hands of a patient and careful reader, Deacon Bob Evans’ book, Walking the Parables of Jesus, offers a superb overview of the parables of Jesus. This book is impressive given its intended audience. Usually, academic books about the parables exegete them according to a particular means of interpretation. General books for lay audiences too often eschew going into too much detail about how to interpret and correctly unpack the manifold layers of meaning in all the parables. With accuracy and detail, Dcn. Evans speaks to their place and role in the Word of God, the literary genre and techniques the Gospel writers employed in writing down what Jesus said, and the theological importance of Jesus’ teaching for how we live as Christians. One of the key roles the diaconate plays in the Roman Catholic Church is the proclamation and teaching of the Word of God. Deacon Evans fulfills his vocation superbly in this book.” – Ramon Luzarraga, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Theology and Division Chair of Undergraduate Studies, Benedictine University at Mesa

“Deacon Evans has written one of my favorite kinds of books: one where the author has done all the work, so you don’t have to. Walking the Parables of Jesus is a one-stop-shopping resource for everyone wanting to learn, understand, or even teach the parables of Jesus. Dcn. Evans’ meticulous scholarship reveals Jesus’ parables with a depth and clarity found in no other book I know of.” – Steve Greene, Director of Kino Catechetical Institute

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dcn. Bob Evans and his wife Rose live in Phoenix where he serves as a deacon in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, ministering at Blessed Sacrament parish in Scottsdale. They have three children and six grandchildren. His formal training in Scriptures was at the Kino Institute.Since 2004, he has been engaged in extensive biblical studies and is a popular teacher who draws heavily from the works of many others in bringing people deeper into Sacred Scriptures. He teaches Biblical Foundations with the parish-level U of Faith, Scripture for Homiletics to candidates in deacon formation and Jesus’ Parables in a diaconate post-ordination program. He mentors newly-ordained deacons, serves as the Asst. Director of Deacon Personnel for the Diocese of Phoenix, and helps as a Spiritual Director on Cursillo retreats. His website may be found at https://www.stephensbrother.com/

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Content Area Reading: A Practical Guide by Paula Witkowski and Dianne Swenson Koehnecke

Content Area Reading: A Practical Guide

by Paula Witkowski and Dianne Swenson Koehnecke

Paperback $35 | Kindle $9.99

We all want to be ‘great’ teachers, don’t we? But it’s not as easy as some might think. Dealing with a variety of learners: those who are academically gifted, those who struggle with learning, and those who come from a variety of different backgrounds and cultures takes a great deal of practice, preparation, and planning. Don’t despair, though. This text will help all teachers in all subject areas become better at what they do! We provide a framework for teaching content subjects that we’ve found to work well with all learners.

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“A useful resource for the classroom educator.” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Holy Apostles, Cromwell, CT

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Paula Witkowski, an Associate Professor at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, previously worked in both elementary and secondary schools for twenty-seven years as a speech-language pathologist/reading specialist. When she earned her Ph.D. in Literacy in 2004, her research for her dissertation focused on developing content area reading courses in World History and U.S. History for 10th and 11th grade special education students. Data collected and analyzed during this period demonstrated that content area reading strategies do serve to increase reading skills significantly as well as help struggling students learn content materials. Currently, Dr. Witkowski is teaching reading methods courses for B.A. and M.A.T. majors in education and for teachers seeking an M.A. in reading and certification as reading specialists. She’s married with five adult children, nine grandchildren, and one wonderful dog named Parker, who has been trained as a “reading dog” so that she can visit area schools and have students practice reading to her.

Dianne Swenson Koehnecke has been teaching since she was 21. She taught seventh and eighth grade language arts, as well as twelfth grade English. Then she became a reading (literacy) specialist. After earning her Ph.D., she taught Content Area Reading to both undergraduate and graduate students. She also taught Children’s Literature and Young Adult Literature. At the age of 12, she sold her first essay to The American Girl magazine. She wrote six Fast Track books which each contained six short stories. Fast Tracks are designed for resistant young adult readers. These books, published by Perfection Learning in the mid-1980’s, are still in print today. In 2016, Dianne wrote a young adult novel titled Nowhere to Go but Home. She also edited a biography about John and Anna Timko. Dianne is married with three adult children and six grandchildren. Her hobbies are water aerobics, walking and participating in two different book clubs. She lives in St. Louis and Sunrise Beach, Missouri.

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The Meaning of the Eucharist by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R.

The Meaning of the Eucharist

by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R.

This book highlights some of the major theological voices from the past century who contributed to a deepening of the Church’s understanding of the significance of the Eucharist and whose efforts came to fruition in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. Each of the authors treated within these pages has a distinct voice that blends with the other voices of the Church’s rich theological tradition. The result is a beautifully nuanced harmony of meanings that challenges the mind and moves the heart to wonder.

Paperback: $34.99 | Kindle: $9.99

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Listen to "Episode 48: Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., on his book The Meaning of the Eucharist (July 16, 2020)" on Spreaker.

Listen to "Episode 14: An Interview with Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. on the Eucharist (February 17, 2019)" on Spreaker.

TESTIMONIALS

“In this third volume of his series on the Eucharist, Fr. Billy presents the inspiring teachings of 28 philosophers, theologians, and other lay Catholic writers of the twentieth century regarding the Holy Eucharist. The chapters, or ‘voices’ of this treasury of the Church’s teachings stir up in the reader feelings of awesomeness towards the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist and can be read independently of one another. Seminarians, priests, and religious will especially benefit from reading this book.” – Fr. Gene Martens, S.J., author of At Mass with Jesus on Calvary: Reflections on the Prayers of the Mass and the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist

“The Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life, and this book provides twenty-eight well-articulated reasons why from the great theologians of the 20th century. A must-read as we prepare to catechize the next generation of Catholics in this third decade of our third millennium in Christ!” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, President of the Board of St. Gregory Cathedral School, Diocese of Tyler, Texas

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fr. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R., is Professor Emeritus of the history of moral theology and Christian spirituality at the Alphonsian Academy of the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome and currently serves as The Robert F. Leavitt Distinguished Service Chair in Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Baltimore. An American Redemptorist of the Baltimore Province, Fr. Billy has advanced degrees from Harvard University, the Pontifical University of St. Thomas (Angelicum), and the Graduate Theological Foundation. The author of numerous books and articles on a variety of religious topics, he is also active in his order’s retreat apostolate and in the ministry of spiritual direction.

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The Prayerful Kiss (A Collection of Prose and Poetry) by Francis Etheredge

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The Prayerful Kiss (A Collection of Poetry and Prose)

by Francis Etheredge

Are a “Prayer” and a “Kiss” irreconcilable? This is the question Francis Etheredge examines through this medley of “moments,” both painful and beautiful, which are laid out as a kind of word-quilt that ranges over many years of life and writing. A theme among these “impressionistic” accounts of life is the “sharp thread” of an almost endlessly repetitive pain of “passing through” relationships. Marriage emerges as a triumph of God, reconciling the apparent contradiction between the “prayer” and the “kiss.”

Paperback: $17.95 | Kindle: $9.99

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Introduction and Poem "The Prayerful Kiss"

"Oh Flaming Fire" from "The Prayerful Kiss"

Preface by Helen Williams

General Introduction

A Reader-Writer Dialogue

Joseph: Husband of Mary, Mother of The Son

Part I: Today

The Prayerful Kiss
A Philosophical Psalm 139
Christ

Part II: Spiralling Upwards?

The Four Seasons

Autumn Triptych (I)
Winter’s Frosty Days (II)
Spring-a-Light (III); and
Summer Clothes us All (IV)

Part III: Searching

A Trilogy in Search of Self
Running Speech (I)
Particularism (II); and
Water from the Rock (III)
Why Did I Look?
Dew

Part IV: Pain and Joy

Indelible
Suicide
Hidden
The Prayer in our Search for Work
Losing her
Freezing
The Family Tree

Part V: Passing Through

Psalm 151
Loneliness
Mud
A Friend
In the Church Wood
Experience
A Trilogy of a Kind
Grape Juice (I)
Blossom (II)
The Question (III)

Part VI: Writing

My Words Bled
Day-Broken-Bread
Word-Lights
The Gambler
A Bluesy Day
I Wrote
Word-Work
After-words
Without Words

Part VII: Christ and His Church

A Trilogy: Exhausting Human Experience
Part I: The Endless Cycle of “Relationships”
Part II: Psychological, Philosophical and Theological Answers
Part III: The Answer of God in Action
A Crib Trilogy
Christmas (I)
A Christmas Present (II)
The Children’s Gift (III)
Ecumenism (2002)
An Angel
The Domestic Church
Oh Flaming Fire
Let us Pray

Evangelization

INTERVIEWS

Listen to “Episode 61: Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Francis Etheredge on his book The Prayerful Kiss (August 13, 2020)” on Spreaker.

In these two episodes of Destination: Sainthood, Annabelle Moseley engages Francis Etheredge, co-founder of the Donum Vitae Institute. Listen to “Episode 9: Saints Elizabeth & Zechariah, Marriage, and Family” on Spreaker.

Listen to “Episode 8: Saints Joachim & Anna, Marriage, and Family” on Spreaker.

In this episode of The Catholic Current, Fr. Robert McTeigue, SJ, interviews Francis Etheredge. (February 5, 2020) Listen to “The Catholic Current interviews Francis Etheredge on the Question of When Life Begins (February 5, 2020)” on Spreaker.

AUTHOR ARTICLES

“Conception: A Contradiction?” by Francis Etheredge, Homiletics and Pastoral Review (December 11, 2020), available here.

REVIEWS

“Lord: Do you mean me? A father-catechist!” in The Catholic Weekly (March 10, 2022), click here.

“Profound, Touching, and Beautiful” by Christine Sunderland. (February 27, 2022), available here.

“Amazon Review” by Aimee O’Connell at Amazon.com. (December 7, 2020), available here.

“Kelly’s Reviews” by Kelly Jayne Lazell at Goodreads. (June 5, 2020), available here.

“The cure for loneliness the world won’t tell you about” by Fr. Robert McTeigue, SJ. Aleteia (February 10, 2020), available here.

The Prayerful Kiss, Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D.Profiles in Catholicism (January 31, 2020), available here.

TESTIMONIALS

“The Prayerful Kiss is a prolonged, transcendental and theological – Catholic – meditation on God, Christ and Mary. The meditation assumes many forms: poetry, reflection, confession, philosophy, abstractions, reminiscences, and prayer. If I have missed a category out – so be it; it is a dense and complex book! Perhaps the starting point to understanding it is contained in the Preface where Etheredge is compared to GK Chesterton, and particularly Chesterton’s wonder at life. I think it true to say that Etheredge marvels that existence exists (’Out of what impenetrably white lightness suddenly spoke Existence?’), and part of his quest is to search for its meaning, its deeper layers of meaning. Indeed, the arrangement of the book in that sense is like an onion as Etheredge unpeels, strips back, and determines to reach the still point where his longings are satisfied. For the collection veers from profound abstractions to highly personal anecdotes and stories. It could be said that Etheredge is a Christian for our times, for out on social media we have a plethora of people going on about their problems, mental health issues, vulnerabilities and uncertainties, etc., but in an entirely secular way in which somehow underlying most of the griping is the complaint that the State should do more in supporting them. There is none of that with Etheredge: it is from the living God that salvation is to be found, salvation in all things. The most moving and pivotal incident in the whole collection, and which underpins most of it, is the abortion of his first child, whom he perceives to be still alive in heaven; and also whom he equates, in terms of its emotional intensity, with the dead Christ in the arms of Mary. As he says, ‘Thirty years on, however, this child is as present to me as every other child [he currently has 8 other children and 2 further ones who are ‘in heaven’]; and, even if I cannot explain it, I am conscious of a fatherhood that I cannot forget.’ This loss is something that Etheredge, or anyone else, can barely come to terms with; but unlike most people who, for one reason or another, decide to move on, Etheredge won’t move on: he has to confront the demons of this devastating tragedy, again and again. He has to wrestle – as I imagine Jacob did with the angel on the ladder to heaven – until finally all is reconciled: in his mind, emotions, spirit; and the great reconciler is his imagination as he explores all the nuances of his tragedy. To say it is his ‘imagination’ which is the great reconciler is not here to be secular: for the imagination is the creative spirit itself that God imbued all humanity with in the original Creation. Thus, it is God speaking and reconciling through him. All this, however, can make for heavy work – it is so intense, one finds it difficult to read in large chunks. That said, there are moments of simple beauty too: ‘A beautiful singing, / Of Love being the beginning.’ So I strongly recommend this book: if you are struggling with your faith, then this is for you; if you have no faith and think the world has done you down, then read what happened to Etheredge; if you are looking for a deep affirmation of life and creation, then this book will not disappoint.” – James Sale, Amazon.co.uk review

“The One, the Good, the True, and the Beautiful are transcendental attributes of God. The Prayerful Kiss is a reflection of true beauty and connects us to God in a way that no other book has ever done.” – Gordon Nary, Editor, Profiles in Catholicism

“A Prayerful Kiss is an astounding book! I never thought I would find a 21st century Catholic metaphysical poet, but now I have. Besides that, you can actually understand the poems, which is rather rare for readers like myself! In what might be a new genre, Etheredge alternates sets of poems with autobiographical material, and his commentaries are as potentially life-changing as his poetry. Get it, read it, and let the Spirit flow!” – Ronda Chervin, Ph.D. is the author of numerous books on Catholic spirituality and a professor of philosophy

“I enjoyed the video of Francis reading “The Prayerful Kiss.” We should all spend much more time than we do lost in the wonder of ‘simple’ things, the things we take for granted.” – Julia D. Hejduk, Reverend Jacob Beverly Stiteler Professor of Classics, Associate Dean, Honors College, Baylor University

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mr. Francis Etheredge is married with eight children, plus three in heaven.

Francis is currently a freelance writer and speaker and his “Posts” on LinkedIn can be viewed here. Poetry; short articles; autobiographical blog; excerpts from books; and “Philosophize: A Ten Minute Write.”

For a list of all of Francis’ books published by En Route Books and Media, click here.

See Francis’ other books, too, entitled Scripture: A Unique Word, From Truth and truth: Volume I-Faithful Reason, From Truth and truth: Volume II: Faith and Reason in Dialogue, From Truth and truth: Volume III: Faith is Married Reason.

He has earned a BA Div (Hons), MA in Catholic Theology, PGC in Biblical Studies, PGC in Higher Education, and an MA in Marriage and Family (Distinction).

Enjoy these additional articles by Francis Etheredge:

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Broken Hearts in a Broken World by Gerard M. Verschuuren

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Broken Hearts in a Broken World

by Gerard M. Verschuuren

Brokenness has become endemic in our days. In poll after poll, the vast majority of respondents say that our country is fundamentally broken. Our political system is broken. Our economy is broken. Our very society, the way we live together, our values, our priorities, all of them are broken. For Christians, however, the brokenness of the world and their own brokenness should not come as breaking news; in fact, brokenness and the healing of brokenness are at the very heart of the Christian faith. Christians believe that God became a human being in Jesus who suffered and died on the Cross. He came to be among the broken-hearted in a broken world. That’s the very painful, yet comforting thought behind this book.

Paperback: $18.99 | Kindle: $9.99

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“The causes and the cures of the brokenness and unhappiness in our broken, unhappy world are obviously many and complex, but this new book reduces the complexity to clarity and then prescribes with great good sense. This is a wise and provocative book that deserves to be read widely and put into effect everywhere.” — Russell Shaw, Consultor of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Adjunct professor at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome. Former Secretary for Public Affairs of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops/US Catholic Conference.

“Verschuuren’s book Broken Hearts in a Broken World is a wonderful treatise, full of fresh insights. Using philosophy to refute skepticism and relativism, Verschuuren also provides a panoramic view of all that gives us hope in our Christian vision. There is no cliché advice, but instead blunt, witty, realistic and compassionate analysis of the ills of our times and the wounds in our hearts.” – Ronda Chervin, Professor Emerita, Holy Apostles College & Seminary, Cromwell, CT

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gerard M. Verschuuren is a human geneticist who also earned a doctorate in the philosophy of science. He studied and worked at universities in Europe and the United States. Currently semi-retired, he spends most of his time as a writer, speaker, and consultant on the interface of science and religion, faith and reason.

Currently, while semi-retired, he writes about issues at the interface of

science and religion,
science and creation,
faith and reason.

All his books can be found at: www.where-do-we-come-from.com

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