What's to be done about the homily?

[jbuck919]

I was watching the EWTN Mass the other night with my 86-year-old mother who (for good reasons) enjoys it and is just short of a shut-in. Many here would agree that it is a worthy celebration, but we both almost collapsed sideways out of our chairs from the length and pointlessness of the so-called homily, and I have to say that this abuse (I will call it that) has long been more the rule than the exception.

I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of homilies I have ever heard that were an enhancement to worship rather than an interruption. (For those too young to know, the sermon as it was then called was in fact formerly an interruption to liturgy and one could read one’s favorite junk novel during it without being irreverent, though I suppose that would have been impolite… The modern homily is considered the conclusion of the liturgy of the word and is, unfortunately, in the improvisatory hands of whoever is delivering it.)

I have to think that many people are kept away from Mass because they don’t want to have to listen to 25 minutes of pure boredom from Father so-and-so. Why is this problem not more frequently and more seriously addressed?

 

[BillyT92679]

I, frankly, couldn’t disagree with you more. I think all the homilies at EWTN are excellent.

 

[decn2b]

I have heard the words Abortion and Sin more times in a single homily on EWTN than All of the other “in person” homilies in my entire life. For that reason alone EWTNs homilies are better than most…at least around my neck of the woods.

 

[netmilsmom]

My second favorite priest, right after our wonderful pastor (May God Bless them both and give them long life) got up for the Homily at the 6:30pm Holy Mass yesterday.
He stated that this is his time to say Holy Mass and it is clearly stated in the bulletin. He prays and is led by the Holy Spirit. He understood that many of us would like to hear stories but that is not what he is led to say. So if you want a good story, pick another Holy Mass.

I love this man. He is Hellfire and brimstone. Yesterday he talked about the Wedding at Cana (from the gospel) and stated that we do not have peace in our families because we don’t have Christ as the center. When dad is praying with the kids and mom is down watching tv (or just the opposite) we do not have Christ as the center of our homes.

Just as with the wedding, the people did not go to Christ directly but to Mary. She did not say, I can fix it, she said, “Do what He tells you.” If we invite Mary to our households, ask her to intercede for us, there is Christ. For without Mary and Christ in our homes, we have no peace.

Now some may have wanted jokes and stories, but this is where the Holy Spirit led him. And God Love him, it sure spoke to me!!!

 

[Lucania]

I was watching the EWTN Mass the other night with my 86-year-old mother who (for good reasons) enjoys it and is just short of a shut-in. Many here would agree that it is a worthy celebration, but we both almost collapsed sideways out of our chairs from the length and pointlessness of the so-called homily, and I have to say that this abuse (I will call it that) has long been more the rule than the exception.

I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of homilies I have ever heard that were an enhancement to worship rather than an interruption. (For those too young to know, the sermon as it was then called was in fact formerly an interruption to liturgy and one could read one’s favorite junk novel during it without being irreverent, though I suppose that would have been impolite… The modern homily is considered the conclusion of the liturgy of the word and is, unfortunately, in the improvisatory hands of whoever is delivering it.)

I have to think that many people are kept away from Mass because they don’t want to have to listen to 25 minutes of pure boredom from Father so-and-so. Why is this problem not more frequently and more seriously addressed?

I, too must disagree. I watch EWTN pretty regularly and I made it a point to watch last week as Father Frank Pavone was there as guest Celebrant/Homilist. I did not see every Mass, but I always enjoy his homilies and Father Angelus Shaughnessy’s as well. They are two wonderful Priest’s, who like Mother Angelica, pull no punches and tell it like it is. I daresay you will never hear a touchy-feely, politically correct homily from them. I always find relevance in their words, so the length is no issue to me. That goes for my Priests at my parish, too.

 

[frommi]

The problem with most homilies is they do a poor job of illuminating the word of God that we just heard.

Too many homilists act like they get to pick what they are going to say and fit the word of God around it.

 

[netmilsmom]

The problem with most homilies is they do a poor job of illuminating the word of God that we just heard.

Too many homilists act like they get to pick what they are going to say and fit the word of God around it.

HA!
You need to get on down to Cyril’s.
Short of our Deacon using a big purple crayon to color our hearts last Lent (God help us) our homilies are straight from the reading and smack you with a good dose of reality.

As it should be…

 

[nazarene1126]

I like the homilies on EWTN, esp. Fr. Francis Mary’s. I don’t watch regularly though so I can’t say all are okay.

Personally, I wish homilies are longer. In my parish, to make sure the mass is exactly one hour, the priest rushes through the homily and I feel this takes away from the appreciation of the readings. While scripture should be appreciated independent of the homily, very few Catholics actually meditate on the readings before going to mass so this is actually a good opportunity to teach the faithful more about the Bible or the Church.

 

[tcraig]

I have to think that many people are kept away from Mass because they don’t want to have to listen to 25 minutes of pure boredom from Father so-and-so. Why is this problem not more frequently and more seriously addressed?

Priests have different gifts; some are good speakers who can keep your interest, some struggle. But if the homily emphasizes Catholic teachings and truths, then it’s fine by me. If someone stays away from Mass because of a homily, they have bigger problems than a boring priest.

On All Saints Day, my priest actually said that “we are all saints” and “we are here to celebrate ourselves”.

His homily was pretty short, too.

 

[TOMFULLREE]

Not to get off the track of EWTN Mass homilies, but…

After ten minutes of listening to a speaker, most people start to tune the speaker out and their attention wanders. Perhaps that is why a lot of priests strive to be funny or somehow otherwise entertaining.

I am not saying that this is right or attractive or that the state of affair ought not be different. People should attempt to rise above their natures, but human nature is what it is… My point is that a ten minute homily that has the congregation’s true attention has to be better than a 20 or 25 minute homily that has its last half ignored and inspires people to roll their eyes in irritation.

 

[jbuck919]

Not to get off the track of EWTN Mass homilies, but…

After ten minutes of listening to a speaker, most people start to tune the speaker out and their attention wanders. Perhaps that is why a lot of priests strive to be funny or somehow otherwise entertaining.

I am not saying that this is right or attractive or that the state of affair ought not be different. People should attempt to rise above their natures, but human nature is what it is… My point is that a ten minute homily that has the congregation’s true attention has to be better than a 20 or 25 minute homily that has its last half ignored and inspires people to roll their eyes in irritation.

I would like to make clear that I was not particularly picking on EWTN, where they usually do a relatively good job given the premise of the situation in the first place. This one homily by a somewhat older priest whose name I cannot remember was simply mind-numbingly boring and far too long, which alas is almost typical of the modern phenomenon in any context.

I am also aware that homiletics has a tradition dating back to apostolic times and that there have been preachers so great that their sermons have been incorporated into the non-scriptural readings of the Divine Office (St. John Chrysostom’s name means “silver tongue”). On top of that, I am aware that the Reformation led to the development of traditions where the sermon was the main point. I do not approve of such a thing, but beyond a doubt the best sermons I have ever heard were delivered by protestant ministers who happened to be especially gifted in this area. (There are also gifted Catholic preachers, of course; Fulton Sheen was a gripping speaker whom I heard twice in person.)

If I had a point at all to make, it is that most men can offer nothing to enhance the Mass other than the few words of elucidation that the homily is intended to be, and they would be better off limiting themselves to that, and then only when the rule requires them to do it.

 

[Saoirse]

I find that I often enjoy the longer homilies as much as I do the shorter ones.

And often people call a homily ‘boring’ when I learn a lot about myself and my faith from that same homily.

I think it is just personal prefference.

love
Saoirse

 

[scylla]

My personal opinion is that homilies should be kept short, since they are not the center of the Mass, Priests should be careful to not make the Mass about them or their homily.

Now if there is a pressing need, such as the general ignorance of the Parish on the evil of contraception(substitute any pressing need here) then a longer homily should be employed.
This should be done as little as possible because most people will only listen for about 10 minutes anyways and that should be enough time to make a point. How long do you need to make a point anyways?
Do we really need long meandering homilies or homilies with substance that take as short or as long as required to make a clear concise point.

More meat, less filling.

God Bless
Scylla

 

[TOMFULLREE]

[This should be done as little as possible because most people will only listen for about 10 minutes anyways and that should be enough time to make a point. How long do you need to make a point anyways?
Do we really need long meandering homilies or homilies with substance that take as short or as long as required to make a clear concise point.

More meat, less filling.

God Bless
Scylla
[/QUOTE]

My sentiments exactly! Also, please spare me your “real life examples” on how to apply the gospel. I had a priest growing up who always managed to tie the readings to a currently popular TV show. Please. Kindly just make the meaning of the readings clear and I will figure out the rest.

 

[Magicsilence]

I would like to make clear that I was not particularly picking on EWTN, where they usually do a relatively good job given the premise of the situation in the first place. This one homily by a somewhat older priest whose name I cannot remember was simply mind-numbingly boring and far too long, which alas is almost typical of the modern phenomenon in any context.

I am also aware that homiletics has a tradition dating back to apostolic times and that there have been preachers so great that their sermons have been incorporated into the non-scriptural readings of the Divine Office (St. John Chrysostom’s name means "silver tongue"). On top of that, I am aware that the Reformation led to the development of traditions where the sermon was the main point. I do not approve of such a thing, but beyond a doubt the best sermons I have ever heard were delivered by protestant ministers who happened to be especially gifted in this area. (There are also gifted Catholic preachers, of course; Fulton Sheen was a gripping speaker whom I heard twice in person.)

If I had a point at all to make, it is that most men can offer nothing to enhance the Mass other than the few words of elucidation that the homily is intended to be, and they would be better off limiting themselves to that, and then only when the rule requires them to do it.

Actually, Chrysostom, ‘Chrysostomos’ in greek means golden mouthed, not silver tongued

God Bless,

 

[wynd]

My second favorite priest, right after our wonderful pastor (May God Bless them both and give them long life) got up for the Homily at the 6:30pm Holy Mass yesterday.
He stated that this is his time to say Holy Mass and it is clearly stated in the bulletin. He prays and is led by the Holy Spirit. He understood that many of us would like to hear stories but that is not what he is led to say. So if you want a good story, pick another Holy Mass.

I love this man. He is Hellfire and brimstone. Yesterday he talked about the Wedding at Cana (from the gospel) and stated that we do not have peace in our families because we don’t have Christ as the center. When dad is praying with the kids and mom is down watching tv (or just the opposite) we do not have Christ as the center of our homes.

Just as with the wedding, the people did not go to Christ directly but to Mary. She did not say, I can fix it, she said, “Do what He tells you.” If we invite Mary to our households, ask her to intercede for us, there is Christ. For without Mary and Christ in our homes, we have no peace.

Now some may have wanted jokes and stories, but this is where the Holy Spirit led him. And God Love him, it sure spoke to me!!!

I’m glad you have found a great parish that gives you spiritual meat instead of cotton candy.

What should the rest of us do?

 

[netmilsmom]

I’m glad you have found a great parish that gives you spiritual meat instead of cotton candy.

What should the rest of us do?

PRAY!!! Pray to St. Monica for the enlightenment of your parish leaders
Ask here if someone knows a great parish in your area. Maybe there is one.

I would of course suggest you move to the Detroit area but…

 

[DaughterSorrow]

The problem with most homilies is they do a poor job of illuminating the word of God that we just heard.

Too many homilists act like they get to pick what they are going to say and fit the word of God around it.

I agree!

From the GIRM:

HOMILY

1. The homily is an integral part of the liturgy and is strongly
   recommended:[35] it is necessary for the nurturing of the Christian
   life. It should develop some point of the readings or of another text
   from the Ordinary or from the Proper of the Mass of the day, and take
   into account the mystery being celebrated and the needs proper to the
   listeners.[36]

Many times, the homily ends up being about a particular thing over and over. For instance, not every reading deserves a homily about abortion or social justice. Some priests from both extremes think that these are the only things to preach about. It should relate to Word spoken (and sung) that day at Mass.

Our current pastor and assistant pastor speak to the Word and I feel nourished!

In Peace,
DS

 

[frommi]

I agree!

From the GIRM:

Many times, the homily ends up being about a particular thing over and over. For instance, not every reading deserves a homily about abortion or social justice. Some priests from both extremes think that these are the only things to preach about. It should relate to Word spoken (and sung) that day at Mass.

Our current pastor and assistant pastor speak to the Word and I feel nourished!

In Peace,
DS

I also think that our preachers need to integrate everything about our faith into our preaching…you can talk about the crucifixion on days other than Palm Sunday…the Holy Spirit sometime other than pentecost…abortion need not only be appropriate in January…social justice could be used at times other than just Gospels about the poor…

 

[DaughterSorrow]

I also think that our preachers need to integrate everything about our faith into our preaching…you can talk about the crucifixion on days other than Palm Sunday…the Holy Spirit sometime other than pentecost…abortion need not only be appropriate in January…social justice could be used at times other than just Gospels about the poor…

Agreed! I am really talking about the one-note priests. There is ample opportunity within the scriptures to relate on those subjects.