Who can give a reflection after the gospel?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jgjkc
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Jgjkc

Guest
Hello I’ve read a great deal about the discussion who can give a homily. However I was curious bc i was asked to give a “reflection” on mother’s day after the gospel. I was told that I would be introduced by the priest and there will be no homily. Only my reflection. I brought this up bc of the canon law and was told that permission was granted by the arch bishop. Is this possible? Thanks
 
There are many brothers and sisters who are articulate and capable speakers. If given the opportunity, I believe they could on occasion speak and do a good job of delivering a strong message.
 
If you follow your PP God asks no more of you than this.
Anything else is overthinking in areas you cannot possibly find certitude.

If there is something objectively amiss its your PP who goes to hell not you.

Enjoy your talk, a great honour.
 
If permission was granted by the bishop I would think it would be just fine to do. The priest must really trust you to do this. I’d just have him look over what you say before mass. I’m sure you wouldn’t say anything wrong, but if I were in your shoes It would make me feel better about doing it.
 
I am trying to imagine a priest in my diocese asking our bishop “hey on Mother’s Day could I just not do a homily and let moms talk instead”
  1. he would have to call the the bishops secretary and she would tell him not to move on it and to send her the question in writing
  2. he would have to actually weigh whether he really wanted to ask his bishop if it is okay to break a rule
  3. he would have to actually write and send the email
  4. the bishop would look at a printed email and scribble a note asking the liturgical office to answer (he’s got people for that 😀)
  5. inter office mail… interoffice mail
  6. liturgical secretary would get it, roll eyes and stick it on the vicars desk
  7. vicar would read it, grumble and go on to more exciting things
  8. vicar would tell liturgical secretary the answer (no) in a week or so, telling her to quote relevant stuff
  9. She would have to look all of it up and she would wait until the day after mothers day to answer
  10. priest has Monday as sabbath day, doesn’t see answer until Tuesday
Of course, the priest could just take our auxiliary bishop out to lunch, ask him nicely and get an immediate “no, don’t be crazy”
 
Last edited:
Read these two excerpts
74 If the need arises for the gathered faithful to be given instruction or testimony by a layperson in a Church concerning the Christian life, it is altogether preferable that this be done outside Mass. Nevertheless, for serious reasons it is permissible that this type of instruction or testimony be given after the Priest has proclaimed the Prayer after Communion. This should not become a regular practice, however. Furthermore, these instructions and testimony should not be of such a nature that they could be confused with the homily, nor is it permissible to dispense with the homily on their account.
Click to expand...
Redemptionis Sacramentum

and
A form of instruction designed to promote a greater understanding of the liturgy, including personal testimonies, or the celebration of eucharistic liturgies on special occasions (e.g. day of the Seminary, day of the sick etc.) is lawful, if in harmony with liturgical norms, should such be considered objectively opportune as a means of explicating the regular homily preached by the celebrant priest. Nonetheless, these testimonies or explanations may not be such so as to assume a character which could be confused with the homily.
Click to expand...
Ecclesia de mysterio Article 3 §2
 
I just read in the Order of the Mass for Holy days of Obligation and Sundays that only a priest or deacon may give the homily. I would ask your priest if you can give a reflection after mass. If people leave, so be it.
 
In your diocese, is the Gospel this Sunday for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, or the Feast of the Ascension? I know that, either way, most pastors will address Mother’s Day in their homilies. Also, in many areas, this is a college graduation weekend. I suspect that I will hear about all three in my parish!

If the celebrant gave a homily and asked a mother to speak briefly on the vocation of motherhood, I think that few would be terribly offended by that. Even so, such lay reflections should be after Communion. The idea that the celebrant would skip the homily altogether or substitute a lay reflection for it would reflect a troubling disobedience. I would wonder what other liturgical abuses he is planning.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top