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Dining in the Kingdom of God: The Origins of Eucharist according to Luke

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Eugene Le Verdiere is a biblical scholar and popular speaker who respects the intelligence of his readers and audience and gives them a great material that is both sustentative and practical. I base this not only on his writings, but also from workshops he has given to religious educators. His book DINING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD combines scholarly research but presents it in a way that is non-threatening. He assumes the reader has more than a passing knowledge of scripture and is looking for a practical way to understand the Eucharist in Luke's Gospel. La Verdiere divides the book into four major sections: Jesus' early ministry, his journey to Jerusalem, the Last Supper, and his resurrection appearances. La Verdiere sees the origins of the Eucharist in Luke's Gospel not only in overtly Eucharistic texts such as the multiplication of the loaves, the Last Supper, and Emmaus, but also at smaller meals such as his meal with Levi, his encounter with Zaccheus, Martha and Mary, and his famous (or infamous if you are the host) dinners with Pharisees. La Verdiere's treatment of these events shows that Luke's Gospel is truly the Eucharistic Gospel and challenges the way that readers approach the Eucharist and live as Eucharistic people. The book will more than likely appeal to Catholic audiences, but is biblical in nature as opposed to sacramental. The book is written in an easy to read style. It also contains maps to help give the reader as sense of place and tables that summarize information. While the book does not have a scripture index, there are ample footnotes that can help a reader do further research.

I read part of this book at a silent Jesuit vocational retreat in Grand Coteau, LA. It was very appropriate because I wasn't sure if I wanted to be a priest, but with a fuller understanding of what I will be doing this book certainly helped me with my vocation.

Eugene magnificently traces the origins of the Last Supper and of the current Catholic Sacrament of the Eucharist to all of the meals found within Luke's Gospel, from informal meals with lower class citizens to theological discussions with Pharisees.

I would certainly recommend this book to every man who is discerning his vocation to perform the Sacraments, but this is a great aid to every Catholic to understand what goes on every Sunday.