Joy of the Gospel

  Chapter Three: Proclamation of the Gospel Pope Francis considers preaching to be one of the priorities in the life of the Church, as is evident in his first Apostolic…

 

Chapter Three: Proclamation of the Gospel

Pope Francis considers preaching to be one of the priorities in the life of the Church, as is evident in his first Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. Its third chapter ‘The Proclamation of the Gospel’ has four sections that expound this: i. ‘The entire people of God proclaims the Gospel’ (nn 111‒134); ii. ‘The homily’ (nn 135‒144); iii. ‘Preparing to preach’ (nn 145‒149); and, iv. ‘Evangelisation and the deeper understanding of the kerygma’ (160‒175).
At a Mass for 19 newly ordained priests this year Pope Francis told them not only to make sure their homilies were not boring, but offered them advice about how to ensure their preaching would touch people: ‘speak from your heart’, he said. Priests are called to nourish the faithful, so you must ensure ‘that your homilies are not boring, that your homilies arrive directly in people’s hearts because they flow from your heart, because what you tell them is what you have in your heart.’

Vatican lifts lid on homilies

Fr James B Lyons

Showing an acute awareness that preaching can ‘make or break’ the listener’s appreciation of Mass, the Vatican has published a new directory to assist the preparation and delivery of homilies.

Keep it ‘relevant, brief and faithful to the teaching of Scripture and Tradition’, is the call from the Church’s Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, which released the 100-page Homiletic Directory last February.

Congregation head, Cardinal Robert Sarah, said while the homily is not the essential part of the Mass, it has a profound effect on how people participate in worship. If the homily comes across as ‘awful’ or ‘boring’, the whole Mass is likely to be judged very negatively.

The document was developed from the 2008 Synod of Bishops on the Word of God, and subsequent writings of Popes Benedict XVI (The Sacrament of Charity, 2010) and Francis (The Joy of the Gospel, 2014).

Taking as its starting point the Second Vatican Council (1962–65), ‘which emphasised the unique nature of preaching in the context of the sacred liturgy’, the Directory seeks to:

  • assimilate and critically review the insights of the past 50 years;
  • help preachers appreciate the purpose of the homily;
  • offer them assistance in fulfilling a mission that is vital to the life of the Church.

In this, it is a most encouraging document, accepting the many demands of pastoral care can distract, frustrate and limit the time for preparation, and respecting the fact that every homilist wants to preach better.

‘It is not necessary to be a great orator in order to be an effective homilist,’ the Directory affirms, before listing some ‘Must Dos’ for the preacher: centre your spiritual life on the Word; know your people well; develop skills for effective preaching; invite the Holy Spirit to open the hearts of the faithful.

The homily, which is distinguished from a sermon or instruction that has no connection with the scripture readings of the day, is to be the fruit of meditation, carefully prepared, neither too long nor too short and suited to all present. ‘The homily will be delivered in a context of prayer, and it should be composed in a context of prayer.’ [n.26]

Such criteria place a big responsibility on the preacher and make it clear preaching has to be given prime place in ministry. There is a reminder of the strong words of Pope Francis: ‘a preacher who does not prepare himself and does not pray is “dishonest and irresponsible…a false prophet, a fraud, a shallow imposter”’. [EG 145, 151]

There is also a challenging call to understand the connection between the homily and the Eucharistic celebration. Using the analogy of a symphony, in which each movement contributes to the meaning and value of the whole piece, the Directory emphasises the unbroken flow from the readings and prayers, throug
h the memorial of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus to Communion – culminating in a readiness to go out as witnesses to the marvels of God.

The homily is to sit within the ‘mystery of faith’ and to lead the community to the Eucharistic sacrifice [n.117]. It remains the realm of the ordained minister because it ‘is an integral part of the Church’s worship’, inseparably linked with this sacrifice [n.4].

The second part of the Directory, and by far the largest, provides ‘concrete examples and suggestions’ to assist the homilist in both preparation and delivery. The major liturgical seasons of Advent, Lent and Easter are explored for their scriptural and cultural themes with some practical ideas that might help link preaching and daily life.

The overall tenor of the document is to encourage renewal of energy within the preacher. Much of what is proposed is already known ‘in theory’ by those who are ordained and commissioned to preach, but years of practice and, in many situations, facing dwindling numbers in the pews, can sap enthusiasm and creativity. Reading the Directory could bring fresh stimulation.

In the New Zealand context, the ideal liturgical environment is not achievable, and the implied presumption in the Directory that the same congregation is returning week by week for spiritual nourishment does not match pastoral experience.

This reality provides little chance for the preacher to unpack scriptural themes over successive weeks. The homilist has to make the most of the opportunity presented ‘today’ to help his listeners catch even a fraction of how God’s word is being fulfilled ‘here and now’, even as they listen!

Fr James Lyons is Cathedral of the Sacred Heart parish priest and a member of the Archdicoese of Wellington Pastoral Council.