Meister Eckhart, The Latin Works: «Sermones et Lectiones super Ecclesiastici». Sermons and Lectures on Jesus Sirach

This monograph provides the first English translation and commentary on the two Sermons and Lectures Meister Eckhart gave as Prior Provincial to his first Provincial Chapter of the German Dominicans of Saxony soon after his return from his first stay in Paris as Magister. The introduction considers the provenance of the text and seeks to give insight into the nature of his expository work which is quite alien to the modern scriptural exegete. In addition, it highlights the main ideas addressed in the texts in order that they might be stepping stones in the reader’s journey through the sermons and lectures. The commentary seeks to address these key ideas, some of Eckhart’s characteristic examples as well as noting his creative use of language. Eckhart’s thoughts are placed within the context of his time, noting the different influences on him from Augustine, various Church Fathers, the Neo-Platonists, Pseudo-Dionysius and Aquinas as well as Jewish and Islamic theologians. In addition, it will highlight areas where his originality can be seen, and others where he could be and was misunderstood.