Around the Table
Retelling the Story of the Eucharist through the Eyes of Jesus' First Followers
by R. Scott Hurd
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Pub Date Nov 04 2016 | Archive Date Nov 06 2017
Description
The scriptures are filled with familiar and not-so-familiar references to the Eucharist—including the narratives of the Last Supper, Jesus calling himself the Bread of Life, and the accounts of the miracle of the loaves and fishes.
In Around the Table, you will begin to better understand the mysteries of the Eucharist in a deeper way through the eyes of Thomas, who was with Jesus as he raised the widow’s son at Nain and Lazarus at Bethany. You will explore the Eucharist as a foretaste of heaven alongside Bartholomew in the upper room and the precious gift of forgiveness that the Eucharist brings with Matthew as he first meets Jesus at Capernaum. You will find courage to share the Good News in the powerful story of Mary Magdalene’s crushing sorrow and exuberant joy at the death and resurrection of Jesus.
R. Scott Hurd, senior director for leadership formation at Catholic Charities USA, helps you discover the meaning of the sacrament through the help of stories about those who accompanied Jesus during his time on Earth. In each chapter, you’ll take the place of a specific friend, follower, or family member of Jesus in order to know him better, contemplate scripture, and deepen your understanding of the Eucharistic mystery we celebrate today.
In addition to these scripture-inspired stories, Hurd provides you with tools to guide your reading:
A biographical sketch of each biblical character
Questions for journaling, contemplation, or conversation
Scripture citations for reference and further reading
A prayer to close each chapter
Hurd incorporates the tradition of the Church and his own lifelong fascination with the Eucharist to help you come to a richer understanding and deeper gratitude for this tremendous gift by which we are healed, strengthened, renewed, and challenged to become the loving persons God has created us to be.
Features & Benefits
R. Scott Hurd is an award-winning author whose four books have sold more than 44,000 copies.
Hurd has been a frequent speaker and retreat leader on the East Coast.
A Note From the Publisher
Hurd is the author of four books, including Forgiveness: A Catholic Approach, which received an Excellence in Publishing award from the Association of Catholic Publishers. When Faith Feels Fragile: Hope for the Wary, Weak, and Wandering earned a second-place award in 2014 from the Catholic Press Association and was also a finalist in the ACP Excellence in Publishing awards. Hurd also is the author of two books in The Living Gospel seasonal series from Ave Maria Press.
Hurd graduated from the University of Richmond (cum laude) in 1989 with a degree in accounting and business administration. He received his bachelor of theology (master of divinity) degree from Oxford University (UK) in 1993. He lives in his hometown of Alexandria, Virginia, with his three children.
Advance Praise
“Around the Table is a richly engaging exploration of the Eucharist, as experienced by the first people to ‘taste and see’—the disciples and saints who knew Christ best. Imagine gathering around the table of the Lord with the likes of Paul, Mary Magdalene, Cleopas, and Mary. This is a feast like no other and R. Scott Hurd makes us all welcome at the banquet. Take and read—you’ll be glad you did. It’s a terrific book and Scott Hurd has hit one out of the park!”
Deacon Greg Kandra
Catholic blogger and Journalist at Aleteia
“R. Scott Hurd’s passionate appreciation for the Eucharist has given rise to this wonderful book exploring the many meanings of the sacrament. Around the Table is a profound treasure trove of ancient wisdom, theological reflection, and personal spiritual engagement that causes one to think in new ways about the mystery of the Eucharist and awakens a driving enthusiasm to know more.”
Sr. Donna Markham, O.P.
President and CEO of Catholic Charities, USA
“As twenty-first-century Christians, we find it difficult, if not impossible, to re-enter the world of the gospels. With wisdom, insight, and great tenderness, R. Scott Hurd has given us a way. I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a more experiential understanding of the Eucharist.”
Paula Huston
Author of Simplifying the Soul
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781594716553 |
| PRICE | $14.95 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Janet P, Reviewer
The Jesuits have a lovely practice of picturing yourself present at an incident in the Bible. You picture yourself as really being there, noticing sights, smells, and sounds. You use this mental picture as a way to go deeper into the story, its ideas, and its spiritual insights.
Hurd uses this practice as the basis for the chapters in this book. Each chapter is told from the point of view of a person in Jesus life from Longinus to Mary, His Mother. It's a wonderful way to really get inside the impact Christ made.
Each chapter begins with a short introduction that tells us who the person was. Then we are immediately brought into the person's story. We see how they encountered Jesus, what that meant to them, and how it changed their life.
Most importantly though, we see how The Last Supper is fundamental to Christianity and how the different meanings of it and Christ's sacrifice become clear.
Through these scenes we draw deeper into contemplating this immense gift, almost without noticing it.
I loved the vividness of the description and the characters he chose. I loved the subtlety of the ideas. And Iloved the method he chose to remind us of these truths.
