homilies

[Sirach2]

A new teaching DVD on marriage by Cardinal Burke.

This is two hours long. Who has that kind of time???

Let’s allow the Church to address this issue in the Synod and avoid pushing the agenda beforehand, as Pope Francis requested. It is causing much harm, and Card. Burke would know well our Holy Father’s wishes regarding this, yet he overrides them.

 

[Corki]

This is two hours long. Who has that kind of time???

Let’s allow the Church to address this issue in the Synod and avoid pushing the agenda beforehand, as Pope Francis requested. It is causing much harm, and Card. Burke would know well our Holy Father’s wishes regarding this, yet he overrides them.

How is that overriding the Holy Father’s wishes? The teaching role of the Bishops of the Church doesn’t get put “on hold” for the two year process of the synod meetings, let alone the usually long time period from the end of any synod to the promulgation of any related teaching.

 

[PTL]

Under the title “Marriage: God’s Design for Life and Love,” the 40-minute DVD will feature the cardinal and various other prelates in the Church — including Shrewsbury bishop Mark Davies, widely known for his orthodoxy

“The DVD responds to the call of the Holy Father to support marriage and the family currently challenged and misunderstood,”

It is the bishop’s responsibility to teach. And it is for whoever who have ears to hear.

 

[recentrevert]

I don’t believe I have ever heard these things mentioned. Where I live, priests do not warn against any particular sins (or condemn any particular sins except un-charitableness ) or give specific moral advice in homilies - they say ‘Sometimes we maybe haven’t been nice to each other, so lets love each other as Jesus said’ and, to their credit, they do tell people to go to confession, but that is about the extent of their moral preaching really.

 

[Sirach2]

Does anyone ever attend Mass where the Priest talks about the Church’s teaching on artificial contraception, abortion, chastity, sexual relations outside of marriage.

Our priests walk a tightrope with homilies, striving to reach the majority, rather than address the few who may need this. In your statement, the reader could assume that most people in the pews are sinful and in need of this type of instruction. Maybe for a small minority, yes. But should the larger segment of the congregation be subject to this, when they might prefer to find helps to grow in virtue and be more pleasing to God?

I am very fatigued by religious programming on TV that speaks of nothing else but this, and I turn to other channels that serve as inspiration and edification. Our priests might save the few by such constant hammering, but lose the majority who would seek solid spirituality elsewhere.

They have a difficult job!

 

[sticknstring73]

Sometimes I will hear something that will vaguely touch on those subjects but very rarely, however I have heard homilies on hell, which also seems like a subject that is not spoken of very much.

This morning the priest seemed to be reading his homily out of a book. If I’m not mistaken this priest operates like this most weekday mornings but not on Sunday.

 

[babochka]

Our priests walk a tightrope with homilies, striving to reach the majority, rather than address the few who may need this.** In your statement, the reader could assume that most people in the pews are sinful **and in need of this type of instruction. Maybe for a small minority, yes. But should the larger segment of the congregation be subject to this, when they might prefer to find helps to grow in virtue and be more pleasing to God?

Aren’t we? I mean, we are all sinful. We might or might not struggle with these particular sins, but we are all sinful. That’s why we’re in need of a savior.

As far as the particular types of sins mentioned, I think it is naive to assume that the larger segment of the congregation is above these sins. Polls show that church-going Catholics pretty much echo the values of the wider public on these issues. The majority use contraception or disagree with church teaching. Polls indicate that a slight majority of Mass-attending Catholics consider themselves to be pro-choice. In my pre-Cana class, my husband and I were the only people who were not already living together. Some are unaware of Church teaching on the subject; others simply reject it. A good homily can address both.

 

[Sirach2]

I mean, we are all sinful. We might or might not struggle That’s why we’re in need of a savior.

No argument there.

The majority use contraception or disagree with church teaching. Polls indicate that a slight majority of Mass-attending Catholics consider themselves to be pro-choice.

Whoa. I’d sure like to see some substantiation of this allegation. Yet, assuming you are nearly correct, I doubt very much with all the constancy in the media, that they are totally unaware that it is sinful. So no amount of preaching is going to cause them to do an about-face. That brings me back to point a, why not give homilies to those desiring to grow in closer relationship with Christ?

 

[Garyjohn2]

Don’t forget that the priest must formulate a homily for all ages. Sometimes it’s not appropriate to speak to children about these things, depending on the age and the topic.

If people did leave the mass or parish after such a homily, don’t rule out this reason…if they thought the homily was not age appropriate for their little ones. I know my three year old asks a lot of questions about things you would think are beyond his grasping…

 

[babochka]

Whoa. I’d sure like to see some substantiation of this allegation.

whatcatholicwomenthink.com/What_Catholic_Women_Think_Contraception-Aug_2012.pdf

This is a fascinating study, and the results aren’t just given in numbers. Take some time to read the entire report, if you can. It involves only women, and only contraception, but it gives some fascinating insight into the malleable middle ground. The report is thorough, deals with quite a bit of nuance, and is a good read.

Yet, assuming you are nearly correct, I doubt very much with all the constancy in the media, that they are totally unaware that it is sinful.** So no amount of preaching is going to cause them to do an about-face**.

According to the study cited above, the homily is precisely the time to reach the women in the mushy middle. They report (greater than 70%) that homilies are their primary source of information on Church teaching Those entrenched on either side won’t be swayed by a homily or two. They’ll probably be turned off. There are a large group of women who are ambivalent. They know the Church has the authority to teach on these subjects and they want to be good Catholics. They can be reached.

From the report:

Frequent sacrament practice signals greater likelihood of complete acceptance of church teaching on contraception and family planning. While few Catholic women overall (13%) completely accept the church’s teaching, that number doubles (27%) among young (18-34) women who attend Church every week. And it climbs still higher among women who both attend Mass and have been to Confession in the last year - 37% of these women completely accept the Church’s teaching. Sacramental frequency also affects the likelihood of dissent. While 37% of church-going women overall completely reject the Church’s teaching on family planning, dissent is less likely among weekly Mass-goers. 24% of weekly Mass attendees completely reject the Church’s teaching, a number that drops further (to 12%), among women who attend Mass and who have been to Confession in the past year,

Our data suggests that the Church might do well to focus on pastoral outreach on the “soft middle”, women who neither embrace the Church’s teaching on contraception, nor reject it out-of-hand. A strong plurality (44%) of Church-going women express a nuanced view of Church teachings, saying they accept “parts” but “not all” of the teaching on contraception. These women embrace their faith (90% overall say the Catholic faith is an important part of their daily lives) and few show hardened opposition to the Church’s authority (just 18% say their partial rejection of the Church’s teaching is because they do not accept the Church’s moral authority on these issues.)

This is why homilies on these topics are important. People need to hear the truth presented to them in ways that touch their hearts and their consciences. They are open to the truth and the teachings of the church, they just need to have it presented to them. Will a single homily cause a turn-around, even in a middle-ground case? Probably not, but it can still have an impact. In a homily, the priest can be the voice of the Church, speaking among all the other voices that we hear.

That brings me back to point a, why not give homilies to those desiring to grow in closer relationship with Christ?

You’re assuming that people who have not yet come to understand and accept the Church’s teaching on these important moral issues do not desire to grow closer to Christ? It is hard to meet the needs of every individual every Sunday. I don’t think priests should focus on these issues exclusively, or even mostly. There are a number of Sundays in which the readings naturally lend themselves to these topics, and on those Sundays, it seems like a good idea to offer a homily that helps people grow closer to Christ by giving them the opportunity to better understand the teachings of the Church. By following the teachings of the Church, we are following Christ. Doing so will bring us closer to him. If you don’t struggle in this particular area, maybe you can just spend the homily praying for those who do.

 

[Sirach2]

whatcatholicwomenthink.com/What_Catholic_Women_Think_Contraception-Aug_2012.pdf

This is a fascinating study, and the results aren’t just given in numbers. Take some time to read the entire report, if you can. It involves only women, and only contraception . . .

This is why homilies on these topics are important. People need to hear the truth presented to them in ways that touch their hearts and their consciences. They are open to the truth and the teachings of the church, they just need to have it presented to them. Will a single homily cause a turn-around, even in a middle-ground case? Probably not, but it can still have an impact. In a homily, the priest can be the voice of the Church, speaking among all the other voices that we hear.

Whether the report is an accurate sampling, I cannot say. Humanae Vitae has been in place for 47 years, so I suspect more have heard it than not, but choose to follow their own ideals anyway. I doubt they will change their minds, once they determine their needs are greater than following a Church moral law.

And speaking of moral laws, the 6th commandment is not the only commandment, nor the only moral issue that should be consistently addressed - it would be a deterrent to the other congregants, who may be having their own moral issues that are equally as sinful, and equally endangering to soul and body. We are also in need of doctrinal and scriptural catechesis, not just issues that concern morality and the law.

It is hard to meet the needs of every individual every Sunday. I don’t think priests should focus on these issues exclusively, or even mostly.

I agree. As I said earlier, the priest has a hard job. Those who most need to hear critical sermons about moral issues are often the very ones who do not attend mass, sad to say.

 

[Sirach2]

I just had a thought that might help us. Aren’t we given much instruction in the GIRM? It may help to refresh our mind on the purpose of the homily.
Reading and Explaining the Word of God
29. When the Sacred Scriptures are read in the Church, God himself speaks to his people, and Christ, present in his word, proclaims the Gospel.

Therefore, the readings from the Word of God are to be listened to reverently by everyone, for they are an element of the greatest importance in the Liturgy. Although in the readings from Sacred Scripture the Word of God is addressed to all people of whatever era and is understandable to them, a fuller understanding and a greater efficaciousness of the word is nevertheless fostered by a living commentary on the word, that is, by the Homily, as part of the liturgical action.

1. The main part of the Liturgy of the Word is made up of the readings from Sacred Scripture together with the chants occurring between them.As for the Homily, the Profession of Faith, and the Universal Prayer, they develop and conclude it. For in the readings, as explained by the Homily, God speaks to his people, opening up to them the mystery of redemption and salvation, and offering spiritual nourishment; and Christ himself is present through his word in the midst of the faithful.
   I sincerely believe our priests are committed to homiletics as outlined in the GIRM, although they may certainly use the Sunday reading to add moral issues, if this presents itself naturally.

 

[Corki]

Don’t forget that the priest must formulate a homily for all ages. Sometimes it’s not appropriate to speak to children about these things, depending on the age and the topic.

If people did leave the mass or parish after such a homily, don’t rule out this reason…if they thought the homily was not age appropriate for their little ones. I know my three year old asks a lot of questions about things you would think are beyond his grasping…

I don’t see anything in the list the OP gave that couldn’t be addressed to an audience of all ages.

Does anyone ever attend Mass where the Priest talks about the Church’s teaching on artificial contraception, abortion, chastity, sexual relations outside of marriage.

Talking about the gift of children, the sanctity of marriage, the importance of mothers and fathers, respect for the human body is all G rated.

 

[Gorgias]

I don’t see anything in the list the OP gave that couldn’t be addressed to an audience of all ages.

There are two issues here: subject matter and expression. The subject matter, as you note, isn’t objectionable per se. However, the particular expression of that subject matter is a much more delicate question. Parents have the right to be the primary educators of their children; if they decide that their 8-year-old shouldn’t be subjected to certain expositions of particular subject matter, their desires must be respected.

Moreover, not all homilists are equally adept at phrasing their homilies in ways that are respectful of all “audiences of all ages.” Some are – and these homilists are due profound respect for their skill. Some, however, are less adept; and their (well-intentioned but poorly executed) homilies can do more harm than good. For us to stand in judgment of them, I think, is a rather inappropriate response.

In addition, it would seem to me that pastoral considerations are relevant in this context. A parish that has had the blessing of solid homiletic catechesis is well-prepared to receive certain exhortations during the homily; a parish that is less well-prepared – or a community that is less well-catechized – is not. In the latter case, it might be more prudent to seek out other contexts in which fundamental catechesis might be presented. In these situations, such ‘remedial’ catechesis is necessary, it seems, in order to prep congregations so that they might be able to receive particular messages from the pulpit during a homily.

In short, the answer is this: just because you’re primed and ready to receive certain messages during a homily, doesn’t mean that others are. Therefore, castigating your homilists for not delivering such messages might come closer to ‘rash judgment’ than to ‘admonishment’ of our clergy.

 

[PTL]

I don’t see anything in the list the OP gave that couldn’t be addressed to an audience of all ages.

Talking about the gift of children, the sanctity of marriage, the importance of mothers and fathers, respect for the human body is all G rated.

Totally agree!

All moral topic can be approached in a positive way. Priests are well trained men. They know how to address each topic appropriately to all ages if they choose so.

 

[ProVobis]

I heard a pretty good sermon tonight on why everyone isn’t nourished by reception of communion, among other things. Rather lengthy but the priest managed to tie it into one of the readings.

 

[MaryT777]

I heard a pretty good sermon tonight on why everyone isn’t nourished by reception of communion, among other things. Rather lengthy but the priest managed to tie it into one of the readings.

I wished I could have heard it; that sounds very interesting.

Mary.

 

[ProVobis]

I wished I could have heard it; that sounds very interesting.

Mary.

Wish I would have recorded it.

 

[Duane1966]

I heard a pretty good sermon tonight on why everyone isn’t nourished by reception of communion, among other things. Rather lengthy but the priest managed to tie it into one of the readings.

I can tell you, I was in a state of mortal sin for years. Truly like St. Paul says, reception of the Eucharist in that state does harm you. As often as I received, the more I drifted from the Church.

Only after I had made a good Confession, did the power of the Eucharist kick in. Over the last few years I have begun to see very clearly the lies that secular society fed me, and to realize that in that state of sin I was only to eager to eat at that buffet of lies. I am not afraid to speak up for Church teaching as I once was, nor am I shy about engaging non-Catholics.

It is amazing how frequent Confession and reception of the Eucharist can cause the scales to fall off the eyes. Luckily I wear shades.

As to the original OP, and this is meant as no offense to a certain generation of priests, but I notice fresh out of seminary and very old priests (and I mean very old) seem to be the only ones who preach on these topics. That is why I have hope, most of the young priests do preach on these topics and are in step with Rome.

 

[Corki]

There are two issues here: subject matter and expression. The subject matter, as you note, isn’t objectionable per se. However, the particular expression of that subject matter is a much more delicate question. Parents have the right to be the primary educators of their children; if they decide that their 8-year-old shouldn’t be subjected to certain expositions of particular subject matter, their desires must be respected.

But that was my point. The expression of any of those topics can easily be “G” rated and suitable for all members of the congregation - even 8 year olds. But there are some tough subject matter topics in the readings. You are certainly not suggesting that a parent can decide not to “subject” their 8-year old to a topic that is in a given Sunday’s readings, are you? The Chuch is Scripture, Tradition AND the teaching of the magisterium. All can be included in a homily.

In short, the answer is this: just because you’re primed and ready to receive certain messages during a homily, doesn’t mean that others are. Therefore, castigating your homilists for not delivering such messages might come closer to ‘rash judgment’ than to ‘admonishment’ of our clergy.

If you are accusing me of the sin of “rash judgement” you are not only mistaken but violating forum rules.

But your statement really proves the OP’s point. If we stipulate that different people are “primed and ready” to receive different messages, the pastor has a responsibility to make sure that each group is addressed with proper homiletics at some point in time. Some weeks might be all “kumbaya” and other weeks he should address tougher topics. No one should be going to a parish week after week and NEVER hear about moral issues any more than they should go to a parish week after week and ONLY hear about moral issues. To preach only to the least ready to hear is to sacrifice the needs of the rest.