Political Opinions from the Pulpit

[EricF]

We tend to want to compartmentalize (at least here in the US) into our view of politics. The truth is, the Church is above such pettiness, but humans will human and continue to do so.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Not to go toooo far from the OP’s topic, there is a certain type of condescending thought that arises toward the poor. Assuming they are poor because they are just too stupid or gullible to be un-poor. That given the option between spending their last $1 on a loaf of bread to feed the children or on a lottery ticket, poor people will choose the lottery ticket.

In reality, those who are immoderate in their love of gambling cross all socio economic lines.

Here, our State lottery has provided college scholarships for many, many people.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Yet, not all traditional “conservative” political planks are consistent with the Catholic Social Doctrines. The mere idea that conservative = truth shows a bias.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Is it not also true that, for the most part, the homily should be based on the readings of the day from the Liturgy of the Word, and not necessarily on current events. I suppose a clever priest with a personal agenda can always find some way to link the readings with whatever he’d rather preach about.

I know every time there’s an Old Testament reading about foreign people in Israel, like the story of Hagar or something, some clergy person thinks it’s a great moment to preach about immigration to USA, conveniently leaving out all of the legal and economic issues.

 

[Gorgias]

Is it not also true that, for the most part, the homily should be based on the readings of the day from the Liturgy of the Word, and not necessarily on current events.

Ideally, the homilist should move from the readings, to the current situation of the lives of the congregants, and then point to the Eucharist. So… yeah – current events are important! We don’t segment off our faith life – or, sadly, the one hour a week we give lip service to it! – from the rest of our life!

 

[pnewton]

some clergy person thinks it’s a great moment to preach about immigration to USA, conveniently leaving out all of the legal and economic issues.

Conveniently? It is not the Churches position to address solutions, but rather issues of doctrine, and in this case, social justice. Not every homily need address every issue.

I think it better not to delve into specifics. The OP preferred this not being devolved into an argument about those.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

out all of the legal and economic issues.

Gee, why is it suddenly “better not to delve into specifics”? Someone noted that the homily is supposed to be the readings and maybe clergy could somehow link a social justice teaching to it.
I gave an example. I also gave an example of why it could be a big problem.

All of a sudden I’m supposed to be quiet because you don’t like the example? Give me a break.

I’ve heard this particular type of linked-to-the-readings homily like 3 times in the past six months and it’s a clear example of how Scripture can lead to a homily on a specific social justice issue, not presented in general terms of Church doctrine about “loving your neighbor”.

 

[kill051]

Personally, I would be more than happy if they did away with the homily altogether. For me, it is the least important part of the Mass, and I wouldn’t miss it in the slightest were it to be omitted.

 

[pnewton]

Gee, why is it suddenly “better not to delve into specifics”?

Well, you can do what you want. I just didn’t want to get into all the problems with something like immigration, specifics on which the Church has spoken clearly and with a singular voice. There is a reason why some priests constantly refer to problems with immigration. Americans are a stiff-necked and stubborn people at times, identifying more with party politics rather than listening to what the Holy Father, their bishop, or their priest is teaching.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I offered one example of how homilies can take Scripture and link a controversial social justice teaching to it, in response to someone else’s post. I did not start a debate over immigration.

If it makes you feel better, I can offer a second example: the priest who took the gospel of Jesus telling the young man to sell all he has and give the money to the poor and come follow him, and translated that into a homily about how we’re all too materialistic and we should stop the practice of Christmas shopping and not buy anything. This was to a congregation of mostly elderly people at the daily Mass, who didn’t look like they were going to be out spending their nest egg on a ton of new flat screen TVs.

i do hear a lot of good homilies too, but for the most part they are on general matters of Christian doctrine (today’s was on forgiveness and God’s grace, and it was excellent) and not on these greatly simplified social justice ideas which are generally too complicated to fit into a 20 minute talk anyway.