CHARLOTTE — Two priests who are also brothers have combined their preaching talents to write a series of books reflecting on the Scriptures, starting with the readings we will hear at Mass during Advent. The first book in the series, “All Things New: Volume 1, Advent,” was just released in time for Advent.
The series was penned by Father Michael Mitchell and Father Jason Mitchell. Father Michael serves as parochial vicar at St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte, and his brother serves in the Diocese of Erie, Pa.
The brothers – who grew up the first and second of 10 children – were ordained together in 2011. Soon the idea was hatched for a series of books reflecting on the Scriptures, using their different approaches and style of homilies.
Recalls Father Michael, “Father Jason and I were in the habit of often discussing together our Sunday homilies. We would help each other with ideas and get ready for the coming Sunday.”
Over time, the brothers noticed that they approached the Scriptures differently, based on the four primary ways of interpreting Scripture (what’s known as “hermeneutics”). Father Jason’s homilies focus on looking at the Scriptures literally and allegorically, whereas Father Michael’s homilies focus on interpreting the
Scriptures from the moral and anagogical (mystical or spiritual) viewpoints. The complementarity of their approaches inspired the brothers to collaborate.
Designed to enrich readers spiritually for years to come, “All Things New” will cover the entire three-year cycle of readings used at Masses. Each book gives the reader the daily Mass readings and four 5-minute reflections for the various seasons in the liturgical year: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time.
“This is a great daily prayer support for anyone who likes to do a morning meditation on Scripture,” said Father Michael. “It was awesome to write together.”
“The series will run until we complete the lectionary,” he noted. “At our current rate, we should be done in about five years with the project. Volume II on the Christmas season is set to publish next summer.”
The brothers said they hope the first book is a great aid to all, including pastors during the busy Advent season.
Father Jason Mitchell“It does a good job of helping the reader to get a glimpse of the depth and mystery of the Holy Bible,” Father Michael said. “Father Jason and I 
Father Michael Mitchellboth feel that preaching during the Catholic Mass should be a sacred moment to reveal the Scriptures to the faithful. A homily should start from the Bible text and not so much from the personal anecdotes of the clergyman.
The Biblical story can then be used to enlighten our life today and to hear what God is saying to us that very Sunday.”
He added, “We hope this will be a refreshing take on Scripture that will allow a person to understand the Advent season, especially how the prophets of the Old Testament prophesied about the coming of the Messiah.”
— Annie Ferguson
Order your copy today
“All Things New: Volume 1 Advent,” published by Spirit of Wisdom Press, is available at Catholic book shops and Amazon.com. For more information, go to www.spiritofwisdompress.com.