Which kind of Homily/Sermon do you prefer at Sunday Mass?

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I like a sermon that is well thought out and well presented

Witty, urbane, & multi-layered

The pastor in my parish will bring in quotes from plays, books, non-catholic scholars, even a few well placed jokes when they are germane to the message. He is quite engaging.

When I was a kid we had one “fire & brimstone” kind of priest; sad to say, he empted the place faster than a roach at a fancy restaurant.

You can have the best message in town but if you can’t get bums on seats what’s the point?

It’s not milquetoast or political correctness (whatever that is) to tailor your presentation to your audience. You catch more flies with honey after all.
 
I voted “other” because I prefer Dominican homilies, by Dominican Friars, since they are the Order of Preachers (OP). I don’t think I have ever heard a light-weight homily by a Dominican. They are always deeply spiritual and poignant and often, quite complex. They always cause me to *think. *And to think about what they’ve said for a long time afterwards, as well. There are several other parishes closer to where I live but I still drive 30 miles every Sunday to my old Dominican home parish, just so I can hear their homilies! They are simply the best!
 
I prefer a homily which encourages and strengthens me to draw deeper into the life of Christ and live faithfully. I think that it helps to draw upon human experience and how it intersects with what the readings for the day are expressing and speaking to. In that sense, I like something that has a little flesh on it and to which I can relate in very real ways. Feet on the ground, heart in heaven.

On the other hand, I tend to not like things which are just platitudinous talk, social issue stuff (be it abortion, social justice or whatever) all the time (occasionally when appropriate is fine and called for), catechetical homilies (they can be good and necessary, but I usually sit there thinking “I KNOW this, already”) or mushy mush about community ad infinitum.

I can usually find something of valuae on most any homily and try to assume that I heard the one which I did for some good reason (even if I didn’t particularly care for it), but sometimes I do find certain things to either be offbase or just plain weak homilies and walk away thinking that the priest missed some things that he might have brought out better and he could have done so much more with what he was given.
 
Do I get the hard Catholicism in the Sunday Homily/Sermon, NO!

Unless I go to the Cathedral and Cardinal George delivers the homily, then I get the hard homily.
 
the kind that makes you feel good when you walk out of church… you know, the kind that makes you want to talk about it at lunch, and share with others…

not interested in the “Guilt” kind… get enough of that here.
 
I prefer a well-prepared, well-delivered, well-prayed over homily that offers commentary/illumination of/explication of the Gospel/Epistle readings for the day, unless a pope has died or been elected, or there has been some kind of tragedy. In those cases, the priest can deviate. I rarely hear a good sermon. I liked Pope Benedict’s homily at Pope John Paul’s funeral very much and I wish I’d been there to hear his charge to the College of Cardinals before they entered the conclave.
 
Some great posts. I agree with all those who want a homily based on the readings of the day. I further like the homily to relate the Gospel message to the things that are going on in our world. The Franciscans have a great saying on this. “We are called to go from the Gospel to life and from life to the Gospel.” We are called to be Gospel people.

God bless
 
In defence of the clergy, the general instruction coming from the Vatican since the last Ecumenical Council, is that homilies should relate to the readings and liturgy of the day, and amplify the Good News. The old “fire and brimstone” style would be largely wasted on modern congregations. Even the Redemptorists gave up this method years ago. Re: length: St Francis of Assisi used to say of a homily, The first ten minutes is for God;the second ten is for you, and the third is for the devil!"
 
It’s nice to hear about a variety of things. I like it when the priest manages to tie it into the readings of the week.

I don’t think it’s usually so helpful to have a whole homily about “sensitive topics”. Maybe on certain occasions - I can see a homily mostly about abortion on Respect Life day or something. But I try not to be too worried about what I think all those other sinners in the church need to hear. I’m not interested in seeing other people squirm when the priest talks about pre-marital sex or homosexuality. I’d rather he say something that makes me squirm, or better yet lights a fire under me to repent of my sins and lead a better life. Sometimes that will involve reminding me that’s it’s not enough to just be happy working 9 to 5 and living the American dream - that I have a serious obligation to use my gifts in service of others, to help the poor and needy, etc. Most of those hot-button topics like abortion and homosexuality aren’t going to touch me in the same way, because quite frankly I already know they’re wrong and why they’re wrong, and I do what I can to work against them.

But hey, it’s not all about me and what I get out of the homily. On any given Sunday there might be someone who will really be brought to repentance by hearing about pre-marital sex or whatever. I don’t think priests should be afraid to mention those things, especially if it fits in with the readings of the day. But again, let’s not be too concerned about what we think everyone else needs to hear. Ideally the pastor has a good sense from hearing confessions, spiritual direction, etc. about what his flock really needs to hear. That may not reflect reality these days with shorter lines at the confessional and all, but in general it’s good to have some faith in the priest’s pastoral skills.
 
I prefer the kind of homily that is called for by the GIRM — one that is drawn from and opens up for us the Scripture readings the Church has assigned.

That means that, as appropriate, there will be a bit of brimstone, serious teaching on the various “issues” pelvic, social, and otherwise, gentle encouragement to holiness and acts of mercy, and all the other kinds.

karen marie
“from the anchor hold” kmknapp.blogspot.com/
 
I prefer homilies that explain the readings, as they should.

When the readings relate to them, I wish the priests or deacons would discusses the two subjects we never hear about (and I attend Mass all around the country):
  1. Sin
  2. Tithing
 
The answer to this question is entirely dependent upon the priest giving the homily/sermon.

If he is a heretic - please make it very short and very sweet. Let him confine his words to some social justice drivel or congratulating the girl’s basketball team for trouncing their archrivals.

If he is a true priest, but ignorant, then let him speak for a short period on the readings of the Mass.

But if he is a true priest AND learned, then let him speak of the glories of the spiritual life, the history of the Church, something of Thomistic philosophy and, especially, on the interior life of Christ! Let him remind us of obligations to be met and virtues to be exercised, of sins to avoid and vices to be fought!
 
Greetings,

I voted “Other”. I prefer a ‘Well prepared’ homily. A homily should help us to know God’s love, and his wonderful invitation to enter his New Covenant. This includes Strong Moral teaching. but this teaching should be seen inview of God’s love and God wanting the Best for us, his creation. A homily needs to well prepared.

peace
 
I picked Fire and Brimstone because I cant stand watered down Catholicism. I would like to add that the other choices are important too except for politically correct homilies or watered down catholicism. Above all it must be well prepared and open the Gospel to the people.

A side thought I just love the EWTN masses and Homily our own Parishes could learn a lot from watching a few of their Masses!!! 👍
 
I voted other because there was no option to include those hot-button issues with other things like sin, sacrifice, devotion, and justice balanced with mercy.

I like homilies that jar the conscience on even simple every day things. Priests need to be more concerned with our salvation than with our self-esteem. I know God loves me because His love is unconditional. What I need to know is how to love God back, and to have constant reminders of the ways that we can do this and ways that we violate it.

One priest spoke about sacrifice the other day and how pleasing it is to God to simply not eat as much as we would like, or to not have that candy bar we are craving, or to sit in the heat sometimes, as opposed to being in air-conditioning all the time. I found it very moving as he tied sacrifice to scripture.

I like how the priests in my parish aren’t afraid to challenge us to spend time in adoration, or to make mention in the bulletin that there are people being disrespectful to the Blessed Sacrament by talking and moving about as the priest carries it in the monstrance from one location to another. I like how they challenge us to use confession to strive for virtuous living. I like how the Pastor jarred us with some firm words about attire (no shorts, tank tops or short skirts) on a very hot day as he stood up at the pulpit and stretched out his arms to show us how hot his attire is. I like how the priests in this parish talk about God’s love and mercy, while reminding us of the need to love Him back, and of His justice.

Most of all, I like when they remind us of the sacrifices we must make in following Christ by adhering to the Church’s teaching, not half-heartedly, but fully giving ourselves to God in our living.

You will find no spin in my parish, just the simple, narrow Truth.

After all, Christ, who was a model of simplicity did tell us that the road was narrow. I would rather be in the pew listening to a homily that jars my conscience any day over the fluff that has become common-place.
 
I picked a variety but mostly fire and brimestone with a lot of aplogetics thrown in. We cradle Catholics needs to be reminded and shown in scripture and early church fathers writings why we believe what we believe. It’s so interesting. It’s like putting a puzzle together.
 
I put “Other” because I think the priest should build a homily from the readings. There is a REASON the Church has the lectionary that marries certain passages with others in order to teach, exhort and admonish the people of God. A homily should never be milquetoast. It should include conviction for sins, whether of comission or omission, but it should also include the hope of the forgiveness of sins offered by Christ in the Sacrament of Confession.

Admittedly, that’s the approach I’m used to from my old tradition but a LOT could be said for its effectiveness.
 
Interesting thread! I’m glad it was rejuvenated. Our priest is a fantastic homilist. He ties into the readings of the day unless something extraordinary happened, such as the death of John Paul II. He challenges us to live the truth and not just be self satisfied that Jesus died for our sins and all we need to do is warm a pew once a week. Still he seems to stay strictly away from politics and hasn’t ventured into issues like prolife/homosexuality or other ‘hot’ topics. I don’t think it should be contrived but if the readings are along those lines, it might be worth bringing up now and then 😉

I do agree Pope Benedict’s homily before the conclave was magnificent. I have a paper copy and have re-read it several times. I don’t want a wishy washy message or a ‘feel good for the sake of the collection’ type homily.

Lisa N
 
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