Anyone who wants to preach as a theologian faces a double challenge: they must be well-versed in the Holy Scriptures as well as in today's world in order to understand and interpret human existence more deeply in the light of God's word. Joseph Ratzinger, the emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, has faced this challenge throughout his life and has mastered it brilliantly. For this edition, 17 texts from his rich preaching work have been selected, which have either not been published before or have appeared only in obscure places. The major feasts of the church year are included, as well as ordinary Sundays in the liturgical calendar and the memorial days of new saints. All sermons share a common thread, leading through the word of Scripture to Jesus Christ, in whom God's history with humanity connects and continually speaks to and challenges them anew.