How long are the homilies?

[MaryAgnes]

Veronica Anne:

All I can think is that our bishop must have okay-ed that a lay person (who happened to be a woman) was to be allowed to speak give her reflections on that week’s Sunday Gospel.

This was scandalous because I know that a lay person IS NOT ordained as priest or deacon to speak the Word of God in a homily. Only a priest or deacon is ordained for that.

What made it even worse – her “reflections” went on for 35 minutes.

Totally “shot” the rhythm of the liturgy!

You are so right, Veronica, only clergy are allowed to preach a homily. It is a faculty that is theirs by virtue of ordination. A lay person, male or female, should not be giving the homily.

And you also noted something that we have been talking about here–that the 35 minutes she took to speak **broke the rhythm of the liturgy. **

One never knows why the priest allowed that, but on behalf of that faith community, lets pray that it only happened that once and will never happen again. Its sad you happened to draw the short straw and caught it.

 

[socalcarmelite]

I noticed that the longs ones aren’t really saying much, yet it is theshort homilies which teach so much.

 

[MaryAgnes]

socalcarmelite:

I noticed that the longs ones aren’t really saying much, yet it is theshort homilies which teach so much.

Indeed. I’ve also found that to be true. Or … the long homilies touch too many different topics and they are not pulled together properly.

I’ve heard some clergy say they ask the Holy Spirit (on their way to the ambo) to “give them the words.” Such a prayer would have been more timely earlier in the week–when preparing the homily should have begun!

 

[Al_Masetti]

Probably the most beloved priest our parish (or any parish I have ever belonged to) ever had gave ONE SENTENCE HOMILIES. Let me tell you: you learned very quickly to PAY ATTENTION.

At the other extreme, we have had special (nothing scheduled afterwards) Masses with Fr. Benedict Groeschel presiding and preaching. And he would have everyone at the edge of their seats for an hour. After Mass, we would meet downstairs for coffee and he would talk for another half hour. With everyone in rapt attention.

 

[donosti]

It dependes on the priest and the ocassion.Sometimes is between 10 to 15 minutes,sometimes 20 to 30 minutes.:yup:

 

[blackfish152]

Yet… this was NOT a homily!! All that it was – was her telling her point of view about the topic. Nothing more!!!

Her comments have no more weight than anybody else who might be talking to me anywhere else about the topic. Her comments were her personal opinion. NOTHING MORE!

All I can think is that our bishop must have okay-ed that a lay person (who happened to be a woman) was to be allowed to speak give her reflections on that week’s Sunday Gospel.

All it was that she did was that she gave a speech.

This was scandalous because I know that a lay person IS NOT ordained as priest or deacon to speak the Word of God in a homily. Only a priest or deacon is ordained for that.

What made it even worse – her “reflections” went on for **35 **minutes.

The issue here why did this priest allow this to happen-this is surely an abuse of the liturgy, which I find had to believe the bishop would allow, unless perhaps the priest is in bad health, and asked someone to read out his homily notes, as no deacon was available.

You can do more than pray that it does not happen. say to the priest or lay person who said the homily that you were concerned that it should not have happened like that, and if he gives no explanation, perhaps you shoul write a letter to your bishop outlining what happened. ???

anyone agree??

 

[pazdziernik]

In the Summertime the homily is either “Today’s Gospel speaks for itself” (full text) or “It’s really hot” (full text). Either version is less than 10 seconds including a dramatic pause and/or pause for laughter for the latter version.

 

[MaryAgnes]

pazdziernik:

In the Summertime the homily is either “Today’s Gospel speaks for itself” (full text) or “It’s really hot” (full text). Either version is less than 10 seconds including a dramatic pause and/or pause for laughter for the latter version.

That is certainly short … but also very sad. That cleric is shirking his responsitility to preach–unless, of course, there was a health concern because of the extreme heat and an inability to cool the building.

 

[Gene_C]

Hi Paz,

Please tell us that you are only kidding!!! This can’t be true. (Although I think you ARE telling us the truth.)

Grace and peace to you,
Gene

 

[hilde_the_dog]

marvin:

This is in line with what I was taught way back in Catholic HS. The priest who taught us theology said that the homily should be prepared before mass. The purpose of the homily is usually to tie together and simplify the message of the readings.
Those REEEALLY LOOOOOONG homilies are usually associated with protestant services anyway, esp. Baptist services.

I must tell you in my former dutch calvinist strain the paster had to have a half hour sermon for the am and a twenty minute at the evening Sunday service. I thought it was strange that Cath. only went to church once on Sunday. As I said earlier we had a priest who once gave a four sentence homily ten months ago and I can remember it. “Put money in the poor box”.

 

[ncjohn]

Ours are typically 10-15 or maybe 20 minutes, but I tend to hang on every word. What a blessing!

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Sundays, maybe 15 minutes; mostly, ten minutes is enough. On weekdays, just enough to give a thought.

How he comes up with one every day without resorting to having them “canned” or sounding canned is beyond me.