Preaching
Strong mission-oriented preaching is one of the most, if not the most, effective ways to become an evangelizing parish. It is essential that those performing this important ministry dedicate substantial time for preparation, commit to connecting their preaching to mission and daily life, and seek out feedback to ensure they are being effective.
Key Insights
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Mission and Evangelization
Homilies must direct us to concrete action in the way we live. Preaching solely on doctrine does not speak to the Good News which is the central mission of the Church Gospel Values
Lectionary readings make many references to the larger Gospel values we identify on this site, but the bigger picture is often lost when we hear the readings in isolation. Preaching about how the reading fits into the larger value can make it much clearer how it fits in to mission and daily life. |
Daily Life and Relevance
Priests have a difficult job in preaching about daily life, when their experience of daily life is substantially different from those they are preaching to. But preaching must make substantial connections to daily life experiences, and not only abstract or surface-level references. Involving other parishioners in homily preparation is one way to address this gap. Choose From All Readings
All of the readings are from our Sacred Scripture, so don't presume the preaching must always be on the Gospel reading. One of the other readings may provide an opportunity to address an important Gospel value or daily life issue that we wouldn't otherwise address. |
Evaluation
If preaching is as important to mission as we (and the Church) proclaims, then evaluating the effectiveness of homilies in doing this is important too. A homily may be effective at entertaining us, making us feeling good, or even engaging us, but if it does not lead us to mission, it is not meeting its goals. |
Quotations
The primary duty of priests is the proclamation of the Gospel of God to all. Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests (4)
Our encounter with Jesus inevitably leads to mission; our love for Jesus translates into our love for others. This is why the homily, which participates in the power of Christ’s word, ought Preaching the Mystery of Faith:
The Sunday Homily United States Conference of Catholic Bishops The key motif of Jesus’ preaching in the Synoptic Gospels is his announcement of the coming Reign of God... All effective homilies have this sense of urgency and freshness, revealing the startling beauty and promise of the Kingdom of God and of Jesus who embodies it and brings it to reality through his Death and Resurrection. The message of the Gospel is truly a matter of “life and death” for us; there is nothing routine or trivial about it. If a homilist conveys merely some example of proverbial wisdom or good manners, or only some insight gained from his personal experience, he may have spoken accurately and even helpfully, but he has not yet spoken the Gospel, which ultimately must focus on the person of Jesus and the dynamic power of his mission to the world. Preaching the Mystery of Faith:
The Sunday Homily United States Conference of Catholic Bishops |
A beautiful homily, a genuine sermon must begin with the first proclamation, with the proclamation of salvation. There is nothing more solid, deep and sure than this proclamation. Then you have to do catechesis. Then you can draw even a moral consequence. But the proclamation of the saving love of God comes before moral and religious imperatives. Today sometimes it seems that the opposite order is prevailing. The homily is the touchstone to measure the pastor’s proximity and ability to meet his people, because those who preach must recognize the heart of their community and must be able to see where the desire for God is lively and ardent. The message of the Gospel, therefore, is not to be reduced to some aspects that, although relevant, on their own do not show the heart of the message of Jesus Christ. What preachers may need to witness to more than anything else is the conviction that authentic, mature faith demands the hard struggle of thinking and choosing. What the Word of God offers us is a way to interpret our human lives, a way to face the ambiguities and challenges of the human condition, not a pat answer to every problem and question that comes along. Fulfilled In Your Hearing:
The Homily in the Sunday Assembly The Bishops' Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry, National Conference of Catholic Bishops Aside from "stay with one thought," the folks' most frequent comment about homilies had to do with the ability to connect with real life. When we do, the people catch it, like suddenly hearing words of their own language in a foreign country. Bishop Ken Untener
Preaching Better: Practical Suggestions for Homilists |
Church Documents
Fulfilled In Your Hearing: The Homily in the Sunday Assembly
The Bishops' Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry, National Conference of Catholic Bishops PDF Document (USCCB) Purchase (Amazon) |
Preaching the Mystery of Faith: The Sunday Homily
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops PDF Document (USCCB) Purchase (USCCB) |
Books
Preaching Better: Practical Suggestions for Homilists
Ken Untener This excellent book by Bishop Untener is the best I've encountered on preaching: very accessible, insightful, and practical. Most homilists could do better, says the author. And he should know: despite extensive experience as both homilist and homiletics professor, for four years he's also participated in a sermon critique group. In the weekly group, the author and several other priests submit tapes and transcripts of their previous week's sermon to each other, to a journalist, and to a systematic theologian; then all meet to discuss what works, what doesn't, why, and how the homily can better become a part of the community's prayer. The result is this "nuts-and-bolts" book that shows how to make any sermon better. Practical and realistic, the book explains what a homily is and what it is not, how to prepare to write, how to begin and end sermons, how to use stories and props, how to preach about sin, and how to edit. The book also shares the moving testimony of what it means to be a bearer of God's word. Clear, simple and honest, Preaching Better is for preachers of all faiths, priests and ministers, seminarians, deacons, ministers-in-training, students of homiletics, parish staffs, liturgy- and homily-planning groups. It's also interesting reading for anyone who has ever wanted to know what goes on "behind the scenes" in the writing of a sermon. (Amazon) |
Surviving the Sermon: A Guide to Preaching for Those Who Have to Listen
David J. Schlafer A great book from an Episcopal perspective built around preaching teams. The second half becomes more practical. An informative guide for those who wish to explore the role of the sermon in the ongoing life and teaching of a parish. Provides instructions for how to lead a sermon discussion group and how to listen to and discuss sermons in constructive ways. (Amazon) |
Articles
- Catholic Homilies Criticized for Lack of Relationship to Daily Life (John Dart, Los Angeles Times)
Organizations & Websites
Working Preacher
A ministry provided by the Center for Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, Working Preacher is a trusted source of inspiration, interpretation and imagination for preachers across the globe -- all for free. In the past 12 months the site has hosted 1.6 million visits from preachers in more than 200 countries. |
Parish Ideas
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Prioritize Preaching
There are many demands on parish priests and deacons that can compete with homily preparation time. It is essential to remember that preaching, and preparation for preaching, is a top priority. |
Homily Preparation Team
As recommended by Fulfilled in Your Hearing, Preaching Better, and Surviving the Sermon, a group to help a preacher prepare and evaluate homilies is a great way to ensure that they are in line with mission and daily life. |