Homilies too weak?

  • Thread starter Thread starter observing
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
My reference to sons of thunder refers to the sons of Zebedee.
Mark 3:17

Passion tempered with love.
 
Last edited:
Lee, although the particular link you posted is okay in this case, I’d recommend not posting links to “Got Questions”. It’s a pretty anti-Catholic site overall and contains other pages trashing Catholicism.

It’s better to link only Catholic sites doing Catholic Bible interpretations. That way, nobody gets misled. Bibles used should be a Catholic-approved translation like the Douay-Rheims, NAB, NABRE, RSVCE, Haydock etc. (The page you posted links to an ESV Bible, which is not Catholic-approved.)
 
Last edited:
Tis_Bearself said:
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.
Click to expand...
Don’t disagree with you. My response to the OP was merely to indicate that we are both in our 70’s and have much the same feelings about homilies that are redundant and a rehash of what we have heard over and over again.
That said, I also recognize that I am not the only one in the congregation. There may be some teen or person considering converting, or new to the faith that, for them, it is the first time they may have heard the idea the celebrant is presenting. So, I sit patiently and, to be honest, most likely let my mind wander, possibly pray about something, or just tune out. I would imagine both of us (myself and the OP) recognize that others probably need to hear what we have already heard many times.
 
I haven’t read the replies, but I used to have the same lament about a priest who eventually moved to another parish.

But honestly, the homily is only a teensy-weensy percentage of our faith lives - 10 minutes weekly.

Contrary to what I hear from too many Catholics, our faith is not about what we “get” out of Mass but what we give. My priest uses the analogy of a concert. He’s not performing for us. We’re all the orchestra playing for God; “conductor” would be a better way to describe him.

It’s our own responsibility to supplement our faith through regular prayer, adoration, Confession, and learning. Read the Scriptures and books about Catholicism and the saints. Join a regular Bible study, small faith group, or parish adult education class.

If nothing else, go online and get some good podcasts or videos from Fr. Mike Schmidt or Bishop Robert Barron and make those your homilies.

Above all, forgive your priest for bad homilies. It’s hard work putting those together and nerve-wracking to deliver them to a parish. Take heart that even if he isn’t reaching you, he may be reaching somebody.
 
Last edited:
I love your comment and think it would be great if more had your attitude towards homilies.

The Eucharist after all is the source and summit of our Faith.
 
I have heard 1 homily in my life that I would truly describe as bad - primarily because it spent a lot of time congratulating the church community, and none at all talking about God or scripture.

Coming from an evangelical background, I somewhat appreciate that we talk about sin a little less. We had a lot of sermons that seemed to amount to little more than lurid descriptions of sinners out in the world. But all they really seemed to do at the end was allow the congregation to thank God that they were not like those homosexual miniskirt-wearing abortionists out there. The fact that other people out in the world are sinning (gasp!) doesn’t really lead to much edification. I think the sexual sins are especially dangerous for this, because there can be a certain enjoyment in being horrified by them that still allows us to feel righteous when we have done nothing to improve ourselves.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”
Click to expand...
 
observing said:
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”?
Click to expand...
Protestant preachers are hired for their preaching abilities. That’s why they are called “preachers” Priests aren’t. Different skills are sought, so different ones are received.
 
Also in some non Catholic Congregations is “called” by the Parish who votes or approves of hiring him. Then the issue is that you can in essence “fire” a Pastor for various reasons.
 
Hodos said:
Catholic coursework is far more geared to liturgical practices.
Click to expand...
No. You’re mistaken. Unless, by this, you mean “there is zero coursework in liturgy in Protestant seminary.” (Which, I would assert, is itself mistaken.) 🤷‍♂️
Hodos said:
I would say however, that with the post-denominational age, this is changing. Sermons are starting to become more about three points to better praying, five points to being a better husband, etc., etc.
Click to expand...
And, if this is the case, then what you’re saying is that Protestant preaching isn’t really ‘preaching’, but rather, simply ‘self-help seminar’.
PeterT said:
Unfortunately, not all priests are gifted homilist. It’s a gift from God, so be charitable to those priest whose homilies don’t inspire or challenge you.
Click to expand...
This. 👍

Priests aren’t ordained to be preachers, per se. Often, especially in evangelical Christianity, ministers are hired by local parish committees who are looking for a particular preaching style, and particular kinds of homiletic messages. Catholic priests, on the other hand, are believed to be called to this vocation in all its facets – not just preaching, but celebrating sacraments, counseling, teaching, etc, etc, etc. More to the point, Protestant preachers tend to recognize that their continued employment depends on consistently preaching the message that a particular congregation wants, in the style that they want it. So… not being dummies, they give their congregations what they want. Priests don’t have that kind of pressure to conform to a particular constituency’s desires.

So, before you castigate priests on their homiletic prowess, or their ability to preach a particular message… keep in mind that this dynamic is part of the Protestant experience, and not the Catholic milieu.
 
I tend to take something away from every homily and I’ve only heard a couple of really uninspiring ones. But, until a few weeks ago I had never heard a homily that “condemned” anyone. But geez when it happened it was a great one. It was about how we wouldn’t meet the president wearing shorts and a T shirt, we would wear the best we had to do that, and how much more important God is than the President. And how we wouldn’t show up late to other things out in society but do to Mass, and leaving early etc. the next Sunday there were about 1/3 less people there and in the homily it was mentioned how we should go to the pastor to talk about any issues instead of going straight to the bishop without saying anything. 😅. It was all true though and needs to be said more often. People forget that it is GOD’S house.
 
I am a deacon, ordained 14 years ago.

I stuidied to become a priest years ago, and graduated from the seminary.

As a deacon I have worked full time for the Church for over 12 years in parish settings.

“Diaconia” is the Greek word that means “servant,” and is where we get the English word “deacon.”

I remain a sinner,
Deacon Christopher

PS: In the old forums it used to display that info with my signature. The new software made me change my login name from “diakonia” to “diaconia.” The former is closer to how the Greek would translate, but the latter is closer to how it would appear in English, if that makes sense.
 
Thank you everyone for your thought provoking insights to my question “Homilies too weak?”
I have learned, through you, that some priests are limited in what they can say in their homilies. I do, however, want to share with you that Friday evening I attended a Charismatic Mass. It started with quite a bit of praise (years ago I attended a Charismatic Mass every Weds and First Fridays…so it took me a few minutes to get back into the praising part). Father’s homily blew me away, so deeply felt and delivered by a priest so on fire for Christ. He also spoke of the cleric scandal telling us we have to fight…it’s satan we are fighting. Though some of this may be off topic, I just wanted to thank you all for your responses and for taking the time to teach an old lady more about her faith.
God bless you and yours.
 
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.
Click to expand...
What about your own life? When you speak to others, do you talk about how Christ has exposed and healed your own sinfulness? Do you talk about how you struggle with virtue and holiness?
It’s one thing to hear it from the pulpit, it’s another thing to give your personal witness in ways that are appropriate.
 
Last edited:
And very powerful, to boot.

Peer to peer evangelization - at work, school, among friends is the calling of all full (confirmed) members of the Church.

Bring Christ to all you encounter, and don’t be afraid to talk about your relationship with God - it always helps and inspires others.
 
Gorgias said:
No. You’re mistaken. Unless, by this, you mean “there is zero coursework in liturgy in Protestant seminary.” (Which, I would assert, is itself mistaken.) 🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
A simple comparison of the coursework demonstrates what I am saying.
 
I would like to see more sermons about civility and treating others with respect.
 
I tend to stand by a quote from C.S. Lewis, to the effect that most of us ought not to worry very much about the parts of the bible we don’t understand, because most of us have enough difficulty with the parts that do.
 
Look it up. A simple Google search can provide you with the information you seek. You will find that an inordinate percentage of coursework in Catholic seminaries is devoted to philosophy and liturgical studies with a much reduced focus on exegetical, homiletical, and systematic theology coursework in comparison to your top notch seminary systems in the Protestant realm.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top