Must every homily pertain, at least somewhat, to the day's readings?

[Lepanto]

From GIRM 65:

“It [the homily] should be an exposition of some aspect of the readings from sacred Scripture or of another text from the Ordinary or from the Proper of the Mass of the day and should take into account both the mystery being celebrated and the particular needs of the listeners.”

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What if the priest wants to give a homily about something very topical, yet there is no way to tie it into the readings? (No, it is not possible to find a “hook” in every reading for every topic.)

For example:

• Something major in the news (like the 9-11 attacks, gay so-called “marriage,” etc.)
• Modesty of dress (especially in church)
• Various catechetical topics…particularly if abuses are going on

Although some topics may best be covered in a class during the week, the reality is that most people at Mass won’t attend such a class – so the priest’s homily is his only shot at imparting the message.

Must the homily still be limited to an exposition of the readings? Again, going back to the GIRM, when does “the particular needs of the listeners” outweigh taking “into account…the mystery being celebrated”?

 

[VociMike]

Seems like on a particular feast day one should be able to give a homily about that saint or event. Otherwise why have feast days?

In general it seems that, with the GIRM stipulation in mind, the priest needs some leeway to transmit the teachings of the Catholic faith to his particular flock, given the current circumstances in his parish and in the world.

 

[Lepanto]

In my experience in my parish, the 9-11 attacks were never even mentioned during the homilies, even during the immediate aftermath in the weeks and months following the attacks. (Nor were the victims/attackers prayed for during the intercessions, for that matter.)

It was like the attacks had never happened, and the homilies were business as usual with trite commentaries on the readings.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

From GIRM 65:
Must the homily still be limited to an exposition of the readings? Again, going back to the GIRM, when does “the particular needs of the listeners” outweigh taking “into account…the mystery being celebrated”?

The usual method which I have seen many priests use, is to most often write their homilies with a message or current events which tries to tie into the readings of the weekend/weekday. How much varies on the event, message, and reading passages.

 

[japhy]

Seems like on a particular feast day one should be able to give a homily about that saint or event. Otherwise why have feast days?

Well, they don’t exist solely for homilies on the saints’ lives… but I understand your point. There’s usually not enough in the prayers of the day for the faithful to get an adequate picture of any saint. The homily is a good place for such information… or, less preferably, the brief introduction to the Mass given by the priest after the Greeting and before the Penitential Rite.

 

[japhy]

Here’s my research on the matter.

• The homily teaches and illustrates the truths and mysteries of the faith as well as the norms for Christian living, touching upon the whole of Christian teaching. (Cf. CIC, can. 386 §1, 528 §1, can. 767 §1; CCEO, can. 614 §1)
• The homily provides liturgical catechesis. (Cf. GIRM, n. 13)
• The homily explains the texts heard in the liturgy. (Cf. GIRM, nn. 29, 55, 65)
• The homily is based on Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium. (Cf. Divino Afflante Spiritu, n. 50; GIRM, n. 65; Redemptionis Sacramentum, n. 67)
• The homily should be relevant to the liturgical celebration of the day or season. (Cf. GIRM, n. 65)
• The quality of homilies must improve: they must not be generic or abstract, they must not dwell solely on the profane and political, and they must not use pseudo-religious material as sources. (Cf. Redemptionis Sacramentum, n. 67; Sacramentum Caritatis, n. 46)

I think it is expected that a homily cannot cover all the bases mentioned here; however, homilies should generally meet these requirements. Regularly ignoring one or more of these facets (the day’s Scriptures, the mysteries of the faith, the liturgy, the day’s liturgical celebration, etc.) is a red flag.

 

[ethelzguy]

I think Japhy has spelled it out quite well.

We probably get enough “social commentary” from our TVs, radios, and computers.

Even keeping to the readings of the day give the priests and deacons plenty of latitude even if they DO want to put some of their own social commentary…on most days, anyway.

 

[japhy]

I think Japhy has spelled it out quite well.

I just quoted other sources, so I give them the credit.

We probably get enough “social commentary” from our TVs, radios, and computers.

I think secular social commentary is out of place in the liturgy, although religious social commentary – by which I mean, connecting some recent instruction or Papal homily or encyclical – is right at home in the homily. I long for the day I hear a homily about “the latest news from the Vatican”… so long as it is appropriately presented. No reason to hijack perfectly good Scriptures and feast days!

 

[SenorSalsa]

of course, you could exploit a loophole, and talk about the readings for a short time, then go on a completely unrelated tangent.

Not that I would advocate it, just saying, I don’t think that would be “illegal”

 

[ethelzguy]

A lot of priests start their homilies with a joke. That’s fine by me, as long as they can tie it in to the beginning of the homily.

But a lot of times, it’s just a joke that doesn’t tie in, so what’s the point? Oddly, the priests tie theirs in just great. It’s the deacons that seem to just tell some odd joke.

At the parishes I attend, the homilies are always on the scripture of the day. Perhaps I’m lucky in that regard.