Homilies too weak?

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I consider the homily the least important part of the Mass. Ideally, a priest should offer some short and simple words to ponder on the readings or the faith. The Mass should not be a place for Protestant-like preaching. It should have periods of silence so that the laity can meditate and have the opportunity for entering into contemplation.

I do wish more priests would realize they’re not preachers. Whether feel good fluff or fire and brimstone, the homilies tend to involve too much personal vanity. Learning about the faith should happen outside of the mass.
 
Yes this is a common issue. In Detroit I would go to 2 or 3 mass on the weekend just to see the difference . I found that
its all the same.
 
The Evangelicals don’t have the real Presence so they CERTAINLY aren’t being “fed”.
If you’re informed on the Sacraments you are informed of the effects of sin. Let’s not have the homily distract from the Eucharist.
 
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Try this:
http://www.traditionalsermons.com

Also you can try sensus fidelium on YouTube. There is more on there then Fr Ripperger.

Many priests post their homilies online. Find someone you like and follow them.

The quality of an average homily might indeed be a regional thing. Last time I was in Salt Lake City I was impressed at how good the homily was at the cathedral. And you don’t think of Utah as a solid Catholic place.
 
LisaB said:
The quality of an average homily might indeed be a regional thing. Last time I was in Salt Lake City I was impressed at how good the homily was at the cathedral. And you don’t think of Utah as a solid Catholic place.
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Perhaps that is why. In a place where one is surrounded by a works based faith that is opposed to the gospel, one’s focus on the gospel becomes crystal clear.
 
I agree. My grandmother always taught me that there is no such thing as a “bad” homily. If you listen with an open mind you can take away at least one good thing from any homily.
 
I am yet to listen to a bad Homily.
And that’s in the post Vat 11 Church environment.
I don’t need to go to a Latin mass to believe listening to a Homily there is good or better

Listen as opposed to hear
 
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observing said:
I have been a Catholic all my life, attending Mass regularly. Though I am in my 70’s, I have rarely heard a homily that inspired me, let alone condemned my heart or actions. Whereas evangelical ministers seem to hold their congregation’s attention to the point of life changing testimonies. Does anyone else wonder why we aren’t being “fed”? I do realize we are fed with the Body and Blood of Christ but it seems to me we need to hear more about sin and it’s effects on our lives from the pulpit.
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I too am in my (early) 70s and I can’t agree with you more. I have only heard 3 sermons in all my life that have stuck with me and brought about a new and heightened understanding of some point that was troubling me.

I believe the “problem” is that everywhere I go, it is the “policy” of the bishop that his priests give “inspirational” homilies. Problem is, I keep hearing the same old ideas over and over again. They shy away from teaching and cling to the belief that adult ‘education’ should take place in the weekday night programs they offer. Which, one, most people raising a family don’t have the time to attend, and two, it is just a polished rehash of things that I’ve heard for 50 years.

So, observing, I share your frustration.
 
Last year a priest started to give a homily but he was talking about mothers, because it was Mother’s Day. I had to walk out to get some air because I was starting to cry because it made me miss my own mother. But then I saw a sweet cat greet me I and was able to just pet the cat for a few minutes before I went back inside. Admittedly one of the best sermon experiences I ever had.

But in all seriousness, I think it’s about balance. Too much fire and brimstone gets pretty depressing. The Gospel is the good news. Just a bunch of happy fluff doesn’t keep people on their toes or make them understand the realities that we are dealing with. The sermons I hear locally in Oxford are pretty intelligent and balanced.
 
My husband told me one time, when I was complaining I couldn’t understand the homily because of the very heavy accent, that the Holy Spirit will let me hear what I need to hear.
Since then when that priest gives the homily I always remember that and I do catch phrases here and there but I know that’s not the main reason I’m there.
Sorry if off topic, I just remembered that.
 
Evangelicals overdo the fear and brimstone preaching. It seems to me they seek to control by fear. God is mainly love yes justice is required by God is merciful.
 
I wonder why u were flagged?
That certainly is the catholic position.
That the catholic Eucharist communion is superior then . the Evangelical communion church servic e.
 
The Evangelicals don’t have the real Presence so they CERTAINLY aren’t being “fed”.
If you’re informed on the Sacraments you are informed of the effects of sin. Let’s not have the homily distract from the Eucharist.
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Who flagged this comment by @cc34? And why?

And this?
The homilies are weak? YOU’RE WEAK.
(Bonus points if yo catch the reference.)
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That’s a movie reference, people. @RichardGrosscock is referring to Glengarry Glen Ross.
 
Sometimes we forget the distinction between a sermon and a homily.

A homily is about one or more of the Scriptural texts for that Mass, particularly the Gospel.

A sermon can be about any topic that the preacher wants to address: sin, hell, abortion, etc.

Homilies are required on Sundays. That’s why you don’t hear more good old fashioned sermons. Most Catholics do not attend daily Mass, so they primarily hear a homily on Sunday.

I give short sermons during the week occasionally. But always a homily on Sundays and Solemnities.

You may be interested to know that most priests hear regularly this question from parishioners, “why don’t you preach more about _____ [insert topic of interest]?”

The short answer is whatever the texts call for is what you should be hearing about.

Good preachers understand the congregation they are preaching to. In a typical parish that includes a myriad of different types of people, who all want to hear something geared to their demographic: single people, youth, families with small children, empty nesters, divorced, widowed, senior citizens. A homily might be perfect for a young person, and miss many of the other groups, etc.

Finally, if your priest just isn’t a very good preacher, regardless of topic, there are ways he can improve. There are regularly workshops offered for priests and deacons, as well as specific Toastmaster groups that are exclusively for preachers. Your priest can avail himself of such resources, if he’s interested.
 
My current pastor is not a good speaker but the priest that fills in at times gives great homilies.
 
I have had two awesome homilies in a row. Yesterday it was about keeping it real with eulogies for the dead.
Today is the birthday of the Blessed Virgin . The Homily was about why today is our lady’s birthday
 
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I’ve heard evangelical ministers’ sermons and they were a major bore fest, attacks against Catholicism and dangerous heresies.
 
I understand the point about hearing the same things repeatedly over decades. But by the same token, I don’t see how hearing more about sin, hell, fire and brimstone is going to be much different from whatever past sermons I’ve heard, either in Church or from the traditional priests and even the Protestant ministers on Internet or TV.
 
gracepoole said:
Who flagged this comment by @cc34? And why?
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I asked this question of cc34’s post on another thread, which didn’t violate TOS there either.
Apparently in a past post cc34 self-identified as a “troll” which caused someone to flag all their posts going forward.

With respect to the Glengarry movie reference, it was already flagged when I saw it, but the fact that the poster’s name refers to a certain body part, plus many people aren’t going to catch the reference and it is not a productive remark, would lead to flagging as troll/ spam.
 
Dan_Defender said:
Evangelicals overdo the fear and brimstone preaching. It seems to me they seek to control by fear. God is mainly love yes justice is required by God is merciful.
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They’re into fear but they’re also into entertainment. It’s a style of preaching that goes clear back to Jonathan Edwards. It plays on people’s emotions like a horror movie.
 
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