homilies

[PTL]

Talking about homilies, here are **many great homilies **to listen. Enjoy!

holyfamilypawtucket.org/homilies.html

 

[whipp711]

In my parish, those topics are never, ever discussed in homilies. Also, we don’t even get an insightful homilie on the scriptures or gospel. Just a mindless stream of thoughts that appear to not have a central theme or topic. Michael Voris would go nutz at my parish (insert Church of Nice reference here).

BTW, tough subjects can be tackled intelligently. Kinda of the opposite of the dialogue you find in The Muppets. There is always an underlining adult humor in that show that the wee ones don’t get. Another way is to touch on or mention the tough subject but weave in God’s teaching and positive outcomes.

Let’s face it folks, not all priest or deacons are wizards at public speaking or content. God bless them no matter what.

 

[7_Sorrows]

In my parish, those topics are never, ever discussed in homilies. Also, we don’t even get an insightful homilie on the scriptures or gospel. Just a mindless stream of thoughts that appear to not have a central theme or topic. Michael Voris would go nutz at my parish (insert Church of Nice reference here).

BTW, tough subjects can be tackled intelligently. Kinda of the opposite of the dialogue you find in The Muppets. There is always an underlining adult humor in that show that the wee ones don’t get. Another way is to touch on or mention the tough subject but weave in God’s teaching and positive outcomes.

Let’s face it folks, not all priest or deacons are wizards at public speaking or content. God bless them no matter what.

Yes God bless them and they need our daily prayer.

 

[Gorgias]

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.

So… how does one address “no pre-marital sex” or “same-sex marriage” or “abortion” in a way that’s both suitable for 8-year-olds and valuable to adults? In any of these cases, you’re bound to run afoul those who wish to be the ones to raise these issues with their children.

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?

Apples and oranges. Scripture is divinely inspired; homilies are not.

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

I see where the rules ask us to “be polite and free of personal attacks, threats, and crude or sexually-explicit language.” I don’t see where they tell us we may not ‘admonish the sinner.’

Perhaps you’re right, though. Castigating our clergy for their words from the pulpit might come closer to ‘calumny’ than ‘rash judgment’. Thanks for the correction.

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.

I disagree: the pastor has the responsibility to provide proper formation for his parishioners. Not all formation occurs in the homily, nor is the homily the place for all messages. Can a homily be catechetical? Absolutely. Must all catechetical messages be found in homilies? Not necessarily.

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.

Perhaps; yet, what response do you expect a person – who is poorly catechized – to have to a message of moral obligations? If he isn’t yet on board that he has these responsibilities, how can he be expected to listen to an exposition of them?

To preach only to the least ready to hear is to sacrifice the needs of the rest.

The rest can have their needs met at Bible study, and adult formation during the week, can they not?

 

[7_Sorrows]

It is true you cannot please everyone - is a homily supposed to please everyone? Obviously you don’t want to drive people away, but a priest or deacon should not refrain from speaking on a church teaching because it is unpopular don’t you agree? It doesn’t have to be brought up all the time, but it should not be ignored either.

 

[Corki]

So… how does one address “no pre-marital sex” or “same-sex marriage” or “abortion” in a way that’s both suitable for 8-year-olds and valuable to adults? In any of these cases, you’re bound to run afoul those who wish to be the ones to raise these issues with their children.

They are addressed in much the same way and with the same vocabulary that catechists cover these topics with 2nd graders. It is easy to talk about the beauty of marriage, the gifts men and women bring to each other and the special place for those gifts within marriage and not without. Likewise, it is easy to talk about the gift of children, the need to be open to life, the beauty of new life, etc.

Apples and oranges. Scripture is divinely inspired; homilies are not.

Not “aples and oranges” if your goal is to keep tough topics from 8 year olds.

I disagree: the pastor has the responsibility to provide proper formation for his parishioners. Not all formation occurs in the homily, nor is the homily the place for all messages. Can a homily be catechetical? Absolutely. Must all catechetical messages be found in homilies? Not necessarily.

Maybe not ALL catechetical messages but certainly the ones that are pressing on Catholic life in today’s world should find a place in the pastor’s teaching at some point in time. If not the homily, then a good pastor is making sure there are other forums where this is addressed. Sadly, many are not.

Perhaps; yet, what response do you expect a person – who is poorly catechized – to have to a message of moral obligations? If he isn’t yet on board that he has these responsibilities, how can he be expected to listen to an exposition of them?

Aren’t you the one that said it was an obligation to admonish the sinner? If a “poorly catechized” parishioner never hears clear moral teaching from his pastor, he might continue on in sin or he will, at best, end up with a very poorly formed conscience. If he is only tangentially connected with the Church, this might be the pastor’s only chance to reach him. How can he be expected to properly form his conscience and to assent to Church teaching if it is never explained clearly?

The rest can have their needs met at Bible study, and adult formation during the week, can they not?

Bible study doesn’t generally cover these types of topics and adult formation is one of the ways that the more thoroughly catechized got that way. Besides, the people that need to hear the message the most, are the least likely to seek out adult catechesis.

The issue I see is that those Catholics who are trying very hard to embrace Church teaching, to teach the youth about moral issues and to stand up when criticized by others, are feeling abandoned. It’s a very odd place to be. As an adult catechist, I should be **reinforcing **what my pastor says, not introducing it for the first time.

 

[Gorgias]

They are addressed in much the same way and with the same vocabulary that catechists cover these topics with 2nd graders.

Unless I’m mistaken, you’re not advocating that homilies be given at the level of 7-year-olds. Are you? 'Cause – if you are – then you’re gonna be more disappointed with homilies than you already are.

It is easy to talk about the beauty of marriage, the gifts men and women bring to each other and the special place for those gifts within marriage and not without. Likewise, it is easy to talk about the gift of children, the need to be open to life, the beauty of new life, etc.

Yep. That’s absolutely a possibility. And – if your homilists give such homilies – would you really say that they’re addressing the issues that you’re asserting should be addressed?

Maybe not ALL catechetical messages

Not all catechetical messages, indeed. And, when you’re pressed to describe the messages that are appropriate for all ages and all people, the messages you propose aren’t of the tenor of the sorts of things you’ve been advocating for hearing from the pulpit. “Not all catechetical messages”, indeed!

If not the homily, then a good pastor is making sure there are other forums where this is addressed.

Agreed. That wasn’t your assertion, though: you said that these things need to be preached from the pulpit. “Other forums” are precisely where more sensitive subjects might be addressed.

Aren’t you the one that said it was an obligation to admonish the sinner? If a “poorly catechized” parishioner never hears clear moral teaching from his pastor, he might continue on in sin or he will, at best, end up with a very poorly formed conscience.

Agreed. The pulpit, however, isn’t the only place where pastors admonish.

If he is only tangentially connected with the Church, this might be the pastor’s only chance to reach him. How can he be expected to properly form his conscience and to assent to Church teaching if it is never explained clearly?

That, my friend, is the conundrum.

Bible study doesn’t generally cover these types of topics

Perhaps you haven’t participated in Bible studies that address a variety of catechetical topics.

Besides, the people that need to hear the message the most, are the least likely to seek out adult catechesis.

Again: yes – but that doesn’t imply that the pulpit is the appropriate place to beat people over the head with moral teachings that they aren’t prepared to receive.

As an adult catechist, I should be **reinforcing ** and offering more explanation (the PG version, if you will) to ]what my pastor says, not introducing it for the first time.

Agreed. But, that doesn’t imply that the “first introduction” need be from the pulpit.

 

[PTL]

Dear Deacon:

Thank you for preaching the truth. We ought to please God, not to please man. Please keep up your good work. May God bless you and yours!

 

[seaton2005]

Before the gay marriage ruling, I had one priest give an incredibly intimidating homily on gay marriage and the impending court ruling. He then proceeded to blast the contraception mandate.

I had a similar experience. The priest was going on and on about gay marriage. I thought it was a bit mean spirited so I got up in the middle of the homily and left. I made sure the priest saw me leave too. If I recall there were a few others who left too. That was about six months ago. Learning point: Sometimes it’s not what you say it’s how you say it.

 

[Gorgias]

I thought it was a bit mean spirited so I got up in the middle of the homily and left. I made sure the priest saw me leave too. If I recall there were a few others who left too.

Wow… you sure showed him! From his perspective, almost everyone could accept his comments, but a few were so hard-hearted, they walked out on him. I’m sure he was chastised by your ‘statement’. :nope:

Thank goodness you prioritized your desire to ‘teach him a lesson’ over your need to participate in the Eucharist! :doh2: