Hungry for the Homily
Guidelines for parishioners
While ensuring that the homily is faithful to the Gospel and relevant to parishioners’ lives is primarily the task of the priest, parish congregations also have a role in helping to bring about improved preaching in their communities. Although parishioners should not expect their parish priest to be able to integrate all eight criteria into each homily, it is reasonable to expect some evidence of these criteria over the course of several homilies. If a preacher consistently fails to meet a number of these criteria over a period of time, then it may very well be in the best interest of the priest (as well as the community) for members of the congregation to broach their concerns with their priest in a gentle, constructive manner. The following suggestions may also be helpful:
1. Form a collaborative group.
Parishioners might consider encouraging their pastor to form a homily-preparation group and offer to be part of such a group. A homiletics professor recently commented to me, “Preaching is the most public ministry that a priest exercises, yet the preparation for this ministry is often the most private.” One way to break out of this narrow approach to homily preparation is the formation of these collaborative groups that offer the pastor a means of gaining practical and spiritual insights from the congregation. Here, the pastor or a key member of the parish team would invite four or five parishioners from different backgrounds and experiences to assist in homily preparation. This mutually beneficial process could help the priest explore issues relevant to the lives of parishioners. If the pastor cannot be present, a member of the group could record some of the group’s thoughts and offer them to the pastor to assist in his preparation.
2. Voice concerns.
Parishioners can encourage the bishop to offer ongoing homiletics training for preachers in their diocese. Recently, a bishop mentioned to me that one of the most frequent complaints he receives from parishioners has to do with the quality of homilies.
The opinions of parishioners can influence the approach and priorities of the bishop, so it is important that the laity voice their concerns, experiences, and ideas on matters relating to the homily. The provision of ongoing training in homiletics is particularly important as many of today’s seasoned priests attended seminaries at a time when homiletics courses were deficient or even nonexistent. Priests who attend these continuing-education workshops not only develop skills for preaching but return to their parish more aware of their homily styles, more motivated to devote time to homily preparation, and often more receptive to the needs of their congregation.
3. Offer constructive feedback.
Parishioners should not hesitate to offer constructive feedback to priests about their homilies. Instead of saying “Nice homily, Father” when leaving the church, a more specific comment such as “I liked what you said about…” might be more helpful. Better still, parishioners could submit their views to the priest in writing. Also, because it is often easy for a priest to fall back on familiar ideas and patterns of speech or tendencies that may be obvious and distracting to the congregation (but unrecognized by him), honest feedback from respected, observant people could help the priest become aware of and overcome these habits. Parishioners might also suggest new topics. Recently, a member of my congregation approached me and encouraged me to preach on social-justice issues when appropriate, while another asked me to consider exploring environmental issues on occasion.
4. Prayerfully prepare.
Preachers are not solely responsible for a homily’s effectiveness. The congregation’s receptiveness is also vital. Even a weak homily can offer spiritual or practical insight to a properly disposed listener. Before preaching, a priest normally prays, “May the Lord be in my heart and on my lips that I may worthily proclaim his Gospel.” Perhaps at the beginning of the homily, a parishioner could quietly pray, “Lord, open my heart and mind so that I may be receptive to what you are saying to me through the homily.” A parishioner could also say a silent prayer for the homilist at this time.
Lastly, complex readings, inevitable distractions, poor lectors, or an inadequate sound system can make it difficult to hear or understand the Scripture readings at Mass, which clearly impacts a parishioner’s receptiveness to the homily. Reading and reflecting on the readings prior to Mass can help parishioners derive more meaning and insight from the homily. This reflection is also an excellent way to prepare for the celebration of Mass.
Reasons for hope
Beyond these suggestions, Catholics do have reason to hope for better preaching in the future. As I mentioned earlier, Pope Benedict XVI has called for improved training for future preachers, and many senior bishops echoed his sentiments at a recent synod in Rome. This focus is likely to encourage seminaries to devote more time and attention to revamping their homiletics curricula. Groups like the Catholic Association of Teachers of Homiletics (CATH) and Catholic Coalition on Preaching (CCOP) have helped support a renewal of preaching in the Church and stressed the need for graduate courses in homiletics within Catholic theological schools. The Doctor of Ministry in Preaching program at Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri, for example, offers training in teaching homiletics, and several of its graduates serve on the faculties of Catholic seminaries across the United States. There is cause for optimism that higher standards of homiletics instruction will bear fruit through improved preaching at the parish level.
The Gospel of Luke records how two disciples encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Even though they did not recognize Jesus at first, they acknowledged their hearts were “burning within” as the stranger explained the Scriptures to them.
Although parishioners are not likely to have this spiritually elevating experience on a weekly basis, they can become more active and receptive participants in their encounter with the Word. By becoming more aware of the purpose of the homily and the criteria of the Church, by using this knowledge to assist pastors in their task of preaching, and by giving prayerful attention to the preached Word, parishioners are more apt to find the direction, courage, and joy they need to be faithful disciples of Christ and to be people with good news to share.
Father Camillus Foley, a priest of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, England, teaches homiletics at St. John’s Seminary, Wonersh, England.