Jesus (72 page)

For information about the Holy Land, needless to say, I relied on Jerome Murphy-O'Connor's
The Holy Land
, which was unfailingly helpful. At times Murphy-O'Connor started to feel like the third person in our pilgrimage.
With Jesus through Galilee
and
With Jesus in Jerusalem
are both excellent guides written by Bargil Pixner, a Benedictine monk of Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem, who spent twenty-five years living in Israel, half of them in Galilee. His guidebooks (which include detailed maps of Galilee and Jerusalem) are popular in Israel but somewhat harder to locate elsewhere. Finding them is worth the effort.

Regarding what archaeology can reveal about life in the first century, the work of Jonathan L. Reed was a boon. I started with his
The HarperCollins Visual Guide to the New Testament: What Archaeology Reveals About the First Christians
, a presentation whose lavish illustration does not detract from its scholarship. Most helpful of all was his book, written with John Dominic Crossan,
Excavating Jesus
, which examines what archaeology can tell us about the area in which Jesus lived. Reed's
Archaeology and the Galilean Jesus
offers many essays on the most recent finds in and around Galilee. Father Harrington recommended Jodi Magness's delightfully named and impressively researched
Stone and Dung, Oil and Spit: Jewish Daily Life in the Time of Jesus
as well as Mark A. Chancey's
Greco-Roman Culture and the Galilee of Jesus
, which is equally scholarly and equally helpful.

Several excellent one-volume Bible commentaries I have long found helpful will serve general readers well. From the more scholarly to the more popular, they are:
The New Jerome Biblical Commentary
(Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, and Roland E. Murphy, eds.),
The HarperCollins Bible Commentary
(James L. Mays, ed.), and
The Collegeville Bible Commentary
(Dianne Bergant and Robert Karris, eds.). The Catholic scholar Raymond E. Brown's
Introduction to the New Testament
and his monumental books
The Birth of the Messiah
and
The Death of the Messiah
also provide excellent scholarly commentary. Also
, The Jewish Annotated New Testament
, edited by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler, provides superb commentary on specifically Jewish terms, practices, and beliefs for the relevant New Testament passages.

For textual analysis I used
The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament
(the Nestle Greek text), by Alfred Marshall, which provides a word-by-word translation of the
koinē
Greek;
The Greek New Testament
, edited by Kurt Aland, Matthew Black, Carlo M. Martini, SJ, Bruce M. Metzger, and Alan Wikgren;
A Grammatical Analysis of the Greek New Testament
, by Maximilian Zerwick, SJ, translated by Mary Grosvenor; as well as
Gospel Parallels
, by Burton Throckmorton, which provides a comparison of the sequence of the Synoptics.

A
BOUT THE
A
UTHOR

Photo by Kerry Weber

JAMES MARTIN, SJ
, is a Jesuit priest, editor at large at the Catholic magazine
America
, and the author of several books, including the
New York Times
bestseller
The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything
as well as
Between Heaven and Mirth, A Jesuit Off-Broadway
, and
My Life with the Saints
, which were named “Best Books of the Year” by
Publishers Weekly
. Among his other books are
This Our Exile, In Good Company, Lourdes Diary, Searching for God at Ground Zero, Becoming Who You Are
, and the e-book
Together on Retreat
.

Before entering the Jesuits in 1988, Father Martin graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business and worked for six years in corporate finance. As part of his Jesuit training, he worked in a hospice for the sick and dying in Kingston, Jamaica; in a hospital for the seriously ill in Cambridge, Massachusetts; at a school for poor boys in New York City; with street gangs in Chicago; in a prison in Boston; and for two years with the Jesuit Refugee Service in Nairobi, Kenya, where he helped East African refugees start small businesses. He studied philosophy at Loyola University Chicago and received his graduate degrees in theology at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1999 and pronounced his final vows as a Jesuit in 2009.

Father Martin has written for many religious and secular publications, both in print and online, including
The (London) Tablet, Commonweal, U.S. Catholic
, the
New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal
, and
Slate
. He is a frequent commentator in the national and international media, and he has appeared on the major radio and television networks and in venues as diverse as NPR's
Fresh Air
with Terry Gross, PBS's
NewsHour
with Jim Lehrer, FOX's
The O'Reilly Factor
, and Comedy Central's
The Colbert Report.
He lives in a Jesuit community in New York City.

Visit
www.AuthorTracker.com
for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins authors.

A
LSO BY
J
AMES
M
ARTIN
, SJ

Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter

Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life

The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life

A Jesuit Off-Broadway: Behind the Scenes with Faith, Doubt,

Forgiveness, and More

Becoming Who You Are: Insights on the True Self from

Thomas Merton and Other Saints

Lourdes Diary: Seven Days at the Grotto of Massabieille

My Life with the Saints

Searching for God at Ground Zero

This Our Exile: A Spiritual Journey with the Refugees of East Africa

In Good Company: The Fast Track from the Corporate

World to Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience

Together on Retreat: Meeting Jesus in Prayer
(e-book)

Together on Retreat (Enhanced Edition) Vol.1

Together on Retreat (Enhanced Edition) Vol.2

10 Best Books to Read for Easter: Selections to Inspire, Educate and Provoke

P
RAISE FOR
J
ESUS
:
A P
ILGRIMAGE

“Do we
really
need yet another book about Jesus? If the book is this one, the answer is yes. James Martin's approach is unique and original, and it will net the reader a glimpse into the Nazarene not available elsewhere. He combines three ‘sources': the biblical accounts, his own Ignatian-trained prayer life, and highly perceptive visits to the places where Jesus lived and taught and died. The result is a fully contoured picture of Jesus not to be found elsewhere. No matter how much or how little one knows already about Jesus, this book is invaluable.”

—Harvey Cox, Hollis Research Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School

“During the past decades, many books have focused on Jesus from the vantage point of either the quest for the historical Jesus, or systematic Christology, or personal spirituality. Rarely has any one book attempted a synthesis of all three. The engaging Father James Martin has not only attempted but also achieved such a synthesis. Every reader will enjoy the journey—nay, the pilgrimage—through this triple territory with such an insightful companion.”

—Rev. John Meier, author of
A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus

“
Jesus: A Pilgrimage
is part travel guide, part spiritual reflection, and part Scripture study—and an altogether delightful read. Father Jim Martin, SJ, ably blends these elements to help seekers encounter the Jesus of history through the eyes of a modern pilgrim. Whether you've visited the Holy Land a dozen times, or simply have a pilgrimage at the top of your wish list, his reflections will bring you fresh insight.”

—Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York

“There are no dull moments in this book. What a joy to take this fascinating pilgrimage with James Martin, a journey from a theological and historical perspective, and one that leads to a refreshing awareness and understanding of the beloved carpenter from Nazareth. As I read
Jesus
, I yearned for a more deeply committed relationship with him.”

—Joyce Rupp, OSM, author of
Praying Our Goodbyes

“
Jesus: A Pilgrimage
is a delight to read and a work of substance for the committed Christian. Vividly written and rich in historical detail and analysis, it's also a movingly personal journey of faith, a diary of the author's pilgrimage to the land where God and human destiny intersect, the land Jesus called home.”

—Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap., archbishop of Philadelphia

“This is not a dry theological manual, nor is it merely a commentary on the Gospels; it is a sensitive, heartfelt inquiry into the person of Jesus. In James Martin's book the great texts of the Gospels come to life and are transformed for the reader into an encounter with Jesus as he really was.”

—Rev. Gerhard Lohfink, author of
Jesus of Nazareth

“This is an invaluable book for anyone desiring to know more about Jesus and how his life can illumine our own spiritual pilgrimage.”

—Kathleen Norris, author of
The Cloister Walk

“Want a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with a reliable guide? Travel with Jim Martin, who is at his best here, opening the Gospels with a light touch. Serious scholar, yes, but mainly a pilgrim, trying to make his way, just like us.”

—Helen Prejean, CSJ, author of
Dead Man Walking

“
Jesus
is a must read for those who want the Bible brought to life with accuracy, sincerity, and sparkle.”

—Candida Moss, professor of New Testament and early Christianity at the University of Notre Dame

“What can be said about Jesus that's never been said before? James Martin answers that question with an insightful, balanced, intelligent, widely embracing, and faith-filled account of his journey in search of Jesus. This is a book for everyone, regardless of creed or background. This is James Martin at his best!”

—Ronald Rolheiser, OMI, author of
The Holy Longing

“The ancient practice of pilgrimage, Ignatian spirituality, delightful wit, and astute observation of the complex contemporary reality of Israel and Palestine meet in this account by James Martin, SJ. He offers a personal meditative memoir, but informed by critical biblical and archaeological scholarship and graced with his accustomed narrative skill. His entertaining, thoughtful, and inspiring account will delight both seasoned pilgrims and those who want to be.”

—Harold W. Attridge, Sterling Professor of Divinity at Yale Divinity School

“It takes a ‘human one' to write well about the consummate ‘Human One,' Jesus. James Martin does that very well! Come to see, and be seen by, the One who has loved so many of us into life.”

—Richard Rohr, OFM, author of
Everything Belongs

“This delightful book combines personal reflections and spiritual nuggets along with insights from top biblical scholars, theologians, and archaeologists in an engaging style. Martin makes Jesus and his land and times come alive, inviting others to meet Jesus and embark on their own pilgrimage.”

—Barbara E. Reid, OP, professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological Union, Chicago

“Father James Martin's book on Jesus is a gem. Learned yet highly accessible, he weaves together insights gleaned from the Gospels, a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Ignatian spirituality, and his personal and pastoral experience. This is a Jesus book I highly recommend.”

—Thomas D. Stegman, SJ, associate professor of New Testament at Boston College

“It isn't often that a book invites you to make a journey through the Holy Land in the company of an inspiring, well-informed, and entertaining guide like James Martin. Discover things you never knew about Jesus's homeland. Enter into the Gospel narratives firsthand. Enjoy the journey, but don't be surprised if it changes you.”

—Margaret Silf, author of
Inner Compass

“This engaging book is solidly based in contemporary Jesus studies but its charm lies in the insight a fellow Christian has gleaned into the God-man of the Gospels through his personal and deepening relationship with Jesus. Accompanying Martin on his journey will stir the sensitive reader to explore her or his own.”

—Sandra M. Schneiders, IHM, author of
Written That You May Believe: Encountering Jesus in the Fourth Gospel

“Father James Martin does something remarkable in this book. He invites you to accompany him on a pilgrimage through the Holy Land but, at the same time, you begin to see the world through the lens of Jesus and his disciples. As the world of first-century Galilee and Judea comes to life, you find yourself a disciple, walking alongside Jesus in the Gospels. Even more remarkable, Father Martin brings to life the ancient world in which Jesus lived. In Father Martin's hands, New Testament scholarship opens up the life of Jesus so the Gospels can speak to each of us today and transform us as they did their first hearers.”