SPLIT: How to deal with dull homilies?

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My first post here:

[edited] Well what I’m looking to find help with is the fact that I get distracted if the priest doesn’t relate to what is going on in is homily. For instance, we have a wonderful priest whose homilies I can’t wait to hear. He interacts, he sings. Mass feels like a celebration. I’m touched every time. I even made an appointment to meet with him to tell him my fears. I make sure I go to all his masses. Now the other priests have an older style. This past Sunday, the other priest spoke for quite a long time referring to verses. I felt so deflated because I did not feel renewed like I do with the the priest I made sure I hear. How do you deal with this. I lost my husband recently and I desparately need to tap into my spiritual side. I have friends who found what they were looking for in other denominational churches. I don’t want to do that. I love the parish, love the style of one particular priest but am afraid of not pursuing spirituality if I don’t feel anything. HELP. I need advice.
 
Homilies are meant to be quick, brief, etc. If you want spiritual sustenance, start reading the writings of the saints! Why wait for homilies? They are actually a pretty minor part of the mass. The Lord himself is present to us - body, blood, soul, and divinity - in the Eucharist, and is present to us in the Gospel, also.

But - check some of these - and other posters, feel free to add:

St. Francis de Sales: Introduction to the Devout Life
Anything by St. Alphonsus Ligouri
St. Teresa of Avila
the Autobiography of St. Theresa of Avila
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola
The Writings of St. Ambrose of Canterbury
The Sermons of the Cure of Ars (St. John Vianney)

the list goes on and on!
 
Be attentive. Be patient. Be kind.

You could add a little devotional gesture to help keep your attention during the other priest’s homilies (or any time really). Whenever Jesus is mentioned in the homily (and even throughout the liturgy), slightly nod your head.

Perhaps this will remind you that the priest is in persona Christi. Christ himself often spoke in ways that his audience didn’t understand.
 
Use it to appreciate the ones that enrich you more.

There is only one priest at the church I go to so don’t get that variation. Though his sermons do vary and don’t speak to me as such every time. Last sunday because of my ears I didn’t even hear any of it…just about heard he was actually talking…😊

Try to listen because some time or other you will be able to link what he has said to what the other priest has said to give you a fuller thought on a topic. Even if what they say have clashed etc… At some point in the future you will realise what he was saying, even if don’t feel like he is speaking to you as such right now. You might actually remember his words a lot longer in the future even…

Good for you for staying put. Too many ‘shop’ around if they don’t like what they are seeing or fall out etc. It can be hard to stay put believing that the other ‘mans’ grass is greener but once into the other, soon discover its got similar warts and all… So well done for staying put and just relax with the less inspiring priest too because one day you might find words of wisdom in with whatever activity you doing, calls upon them.

🙂
 
Mass is not a form of entertainment.

The purpose of the Holy Mass is for us to join in the Heavenly Liturgy where Christ offers sacrifice and supplication on our behalf to the Father through the Holy Spirit. It is the one perfect liturgy.

You should walk away from Mass feeling uplifted regardless of whether the homily is long, short, boring, interesting, entertaining. In fact, you should be able to go to a weekday Mass where there is likely to be no homily and feel the same way.

Read the “Lamb’s Supper” by Scott Hahn.
 
Splagchnizomai said:
Be attentive. Be patient. Be kind.

You could add a little devotional gesture to help keep your attention during the other priest’s homilies (or any time really). Whenever Jesus is mentioned in the homily (and even throughout the liturgy), slightly nod your head.

Perhaps this will remind you that the priest is in persona Christi. Christ himself often spoke in ways that his audience didn’t understand.
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hmm, the priest may notice in time and ask what you are doing as such… I’d hate to have to explain it was to keep myself attentitive to you…😊 Some priests do watch what the congregation are upto.
 
PacoG said:
You should walk away from Mass feeling uplifted regardless of whether the homily is long, short, boring, interesting, entertaining. In fact, you should be able to go to a weekday Mass where there is likely to be no homily and feel the same way.
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Be careful with “feelings,” for they can be misleading. Whether you feel uplifted or downtrodden after Mass, it doesn’t change what you said here …
PacoG said:
The purpose of the Holy Mass is for us to join in the Heavenly Liturgy where Christ offers sacrifice and supplication on our behalf to the Father through the Holy Spirit. It is the one perfect liturgy.
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Our personal emotional states do not change this one iota.

Good recommend on Hahn’s book!
 
rhiannonh said:
hmm, the priest may notice in time and ask what you are doing as such… I’d hate to have to explain it was to keep myself attentitive to you…😊 Some priests do watch what the congregation are upto.
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One priest wasn’t used to this, and it was a common gesture during Mass. He thought that folks were nodding off to sleep during Mass! 😃 I’ve heard another priest interpret it as a nod of assent.

It’s a gesture of respect and devotion to the holy name of Jesus. Why would you hate to explain that to a priest? 🤷
 
Find what groups are available in your parish - there are likely many! There are opportunities for study and support.
 
The homily has always been a non-essential part of the Mass, so as a previous poster mentioned, I’d start reading the saints if you’re looking for some good, solid spiritual nourishment.
 
A nearby parish seems to have a rule that guarantees a dull homily. Most, no matter which priest or deacon, are around twenty-one minutes long. I have often noticed natural ending points that would allow the homily to end with a punch, but it goes on and on, often into rambling on various topics. The result is a Mass that lasts one hour and fifty minutes every time. I avoid going there.

I have no idea how to stay focused once a homily reaches a point of having no point. If it becomes something no one can follow, nodding off follows. There are some things that are just going to happen. I think it would fall onto the pastor to keep an eye on what is being preached, how effectively it is being delivered, and the reaction of the people.
 
When I asked this question, some years ago, the reply I received was -

God is using the ordained priest to pass on His message to us at Mass. Try, therefore, to be open to God’s message and listen with the purpose of hearing whatever God wants to tell you that day.

If you listen in this manner, you will not be focused on the dull preaching, but alert for whatever content that may be directed at you personally. If can help a great deal.
 
Thank you all for your insight. I forgot to mention that the (other) priest I was talking about has a very heavy accent. He is so passionate in what he is saying and I DO want to understand his message but I catch a phrase or word here and there. He’s very hard to understand. He has a following also. I know that I feel blessed that our parish has a priest that so many feel connected to. He reaches young, old, female and male. A friend’s son actually changed his wedding date so that my favorite priest could perform the marriage ceremony. He’s just that good. A real communicator. I am joining groups. I joined the prayer shawl ministry, signed up for bible classes on the mass, went to the scripture reading group (the only thing he is involved in is the bible class). All very lovely people. I think I am looking for that one to one spiritual guidance and I feel I can learn so much from him. I know I will be a regular here through my journey. Love to all.
 
We had a mission at our church a few years ago. The homilist said that during a homily or scripture reading oftentimes one phrase or word pops out at you. That may be the one you are meant to hear and respond to. He suggested trying to meditate on that idea in the coming week. I tried practicing this with a homilist we had frequently we called the "slow talker:. He also spoke in a monotone, but his ideas were very complex. I began to get more out of his homilies when I really listened until something hit me, then let my mind dwell on that thought.

On the other hand, honor the fact that your are grieving, and that whether you recognize it or not, are under quite a bit of stress. That tends to dull us out a bit. Be gemtle with yourself. Rather than looking outside yourself for inspiration or infused energy, perhaps you just need to allow Jesus to comfort you. Turn to Him. If you have a grief ministry or support group at your parish, it might also be a good thing for you to join that.

This can be a very growthful time for you. My best to you. And a hug.
 
superamazingman said:
The homily has always been a non-essential part of the Mass, so as a previous poster mentioned, I’d start reading the saints if you’re looking for some good, solid spiritual nourishment.
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What does that mean? :confused: The homily is the explanation of the readings of the Word of God. It is an ancient Jewish custom that has been brought into our faith. It is far from being “non-essential”.
 
I thank you all for your responses. You gave me food for thought. I will keep in mind all of your suggestions. I have joined the prayer shawl ministry, the bible study of the mass, I went to the scripture meeting, I even signed up for the trip to Medjagorie. I thank you for your kind words Ohana. I know I’m looking for my place, especially since I lost my husband in October. And I like the comment defending the homily being important as it usually explains the Gospel reading.
 
llcdesigns said:
I thank you all for your responses. You gave me food for thought. I will keep in mind all of your suggestions. I have joined the prayer shawl ministry, the bible study of the mass, I went to the scripture meeting, I even signed up for the trip to Medjagorie. I thank you for your kind words Ohana. I know I’m looking for my place, especially since I lost my husband in October. And I like the comment defending the homily being important as it usually explains the Gospel reading.
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It sounds like you have prayerfully considered everything! God bless you!

Be careful about Medjorgorje. It is not an approved Marian apparition (here is a list of approved ones). There are some serious issues with it – serious enough that the current bishop and previous bishop have urged the visionaries to stop, and they haven’t. Disobedience to a bishop is very troublesome, don’t you think?

Read as much about it as you can from both sides before you go. Though not specifically & solely about Medjorgorje, Fr Benedict Groeschel’s A Still, Small Voice: A Practical Guide on Reported Revelations could be helpful when discerning such a trip.
 
We have one homilist who is guaranteed to be forthright and well-spoken, unafraid of tough topics. The other homilist does well with three minute blurbs. Any longer and he can get dull. But I converted from a church where the minister was a very poor speaker (though great pastorally at other stuff) who nevertheless insisted on giving 45 minute sermons. That pretty much cured me of ever being concerned about boring homilies 😉

I have found, though, that if I need to be “fed” in that way, there are lots of podcasting priests and bishops and archbishops on iTunes and YouTube! You might take a peek there. Fr Robert Barron is great. Archbishop Chaput sometimes has microphone issues but is quite good. Pick any person whose books or pastoral letters you like, and search those websites to see if they are on there.
 
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