What's to be done about the homily?

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lak611 said:
The priest never chose his readings, but what is now called “homily” used to be called “sermon”. In fact in the TLM, there is no 3 year cycle of lectionary readings. The readings in the TLM were the same every year for any given Sunday.
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Of course, these sermons were not always related to the readings of the day, either. (I’m not saying this was good ro bad, it just was.) Pastors might have even had talking points sent out from their bishop as to a plan about what should be discussed from week to week. Some of the people who call for more catechetics in homiletics are speaking partly out of a remembrance of this common practice from when we had sermons. It’s still basically legitimate for a pastor to give a “sermon” occasionally, if he so choses, although should he be able to connect it to the reading of the day, ideally.
 
Maybe the label “homily” is the problem. I’m from the South, and down here we eat “hominy grits”. Whenever I hear the word “homily”, I always start getting hungry.😃
 
Elzee said:
Oh my gosh! That is great! :rotfl:
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I thought it would pick up your spirits!
Did you ever see the “Extreme Makeover - Church addition”? I think it was the same website.

They talked about restoring the churches to the original beauty and gave previews of the next show, which involved nuns in polyester pantsuits!

(if only this were true!)
 
lak611 said:
Are any of St. John Chrysostom’s sermons available online? Do you have any links? They sound like they would be something I would really like to read.👍
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Lak611:

Easter Sermon of St. John Chrysostom:

anglicansonline.org/special/Easter/chrysostom_easter.html

1stholistic.com/prayer/A2004/hol_easter-sermon-John-Chrysostom.htm

ancient-future.net/chrysoseaster.html

innerlightproductions.com/thoughts/apr3000.htm

photios.blogspot.com/2005/05/easter-sermon-of-st-john-chrysostom.html

lasvegasorthodox.com/library/Orthodox_saints/writings_of_the_saints/Pascha-Paschal_Sermon-Saint_John_Chrysostom.htm (I think this is the version I’ve heard)

There are more translations, but I thought these should be enould be enough.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael
 
 
chicago said:
Of course, these sermons were not always related to the readings of the day, either. (I’m not saying this was good ro bad, it just was.) Pastors might have even had talking points sent out from their bishop as to a plan about what should be discussed from week to week. Some of the people who call for more catechetics in homiletics are speaking partly out of a remembrance of this common practice from when we had sermons. It’s still basically legitimate for a pastor to give a “sermon” occasionally, if he so choses, although should he be able to connect it to the reading of the day, ideally.
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Part of the problem still remains a lack of ability to ‘illuminate’ God’s word…and instead try to use the homily as an opportunity for catechesis, which it really isn’t.

Sort of like this weekend was “Respect Life” weekend, which is certainly important, and I think it’s good to hear that message, but the appropriate time would be after the prayer after communion, or perhaps in the bulletin…although I suppose you could shoe horn an abortion homily into the context of “we are many parts and all necessary”.
 
I love mass, but the problem with homilies is four-fold in my mind.

Long sermons are a problem for small children. There are small children in the audience, so length should be limited. It is the rambling that bugs me!

Doesn’t anyone teach the semanarians how to get to a point? They go round and round like they have not prepared or can’t quite see how to get to their point, or maybe they forgot their point, or forgot where they were in their spiel. Good grief. They bounce back and forth between points and don’t follow a straight line to a point and then go to the next one. This is the American style of discourse and it needs to be followed in America.

And the topics are often vague or about them trying to tell us how the readings relate to our lives. I want a sermon that teaches and preaches, not one that relates. Like I can’t see how it the gospel is relevant unless they point it out? I get it, I get it. I want more meat!

And speakers need to use expression in their voices, not drone on in a near-monotone. A little drama keeps us awake, while a droning sermon results in a lot of daydreaming, I will wager.

There, I got it off my chest. I feel better. If only someone who gives homilies would read it…
 
I received a newsletter from the Sisters of Notre Dame in the mail today. They have a column called “Nun Fun–stories from the Sisters.” It says, "During a homily at a school Mass, a boy in the front row of Sr. Adelle’s class began talking. Not wanting to cause a commotion, Sister directed the child next to her to go up and tell him to stop talking. He dutifully walked down the aisle and stopped in front of the lectern. Looking up at the priest, he declared, ‘Sister said you should stop talking.’ "
 
I like the EWTN homilies, for the most part. It is very refreshing because our priests here just don’t seem to have the training or conviction that some on EWTN have. They seem…wanting to not offend anyone. During those, would it be a sin if we feel asleep, provided that we are listening to another homily at another time?
 
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