One of the main topics that crops up in discussions I hold with people is the homily. Many express concern that some homilies are irrelevant. They say that either the priest is not prepared to deliver the homily or that he clearly lacks communication skills in conveying the message.

Whatever the reasons, which may be many, it is opportune to see what can be done so that Sunday homilies really do touch people’s hearts.

A central point in this topical pastoral discussion is the way we priests encounter God’s saving Word on a personal level.

To begin with, we need to understand that taking time to prayerfully prepare a homily is not a burden or additional work we are to carry out.

On the contrary it necessarily stems from our ministerial consecration. In order to deliver a homily that bears abundant good fruit we should dedicate ample time for personal prayer and reflection on the liturgical text we are going to preach on.

It is sad when a homily ends up simply being an exercise in public speaking. A homily should be delivered to instruct, strengthen, admonish and encourage Christ’s faithful. It loses its power to challenge if it has not first seriously challenged its preacher.

In his post-synodal apostolic exhortation on the Word of God in the life of the Church, Verbum Domini, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI makes the following important observation:

“Preachers need to be in close and constant contact with the sacred text; they should prepare for the homily by meditation and prayer, so as to preach with conviction and passion.

“The synodal assembly asked that the following questions be kept in mind: ‘What are the Scriptures being proclaimed saying? What do they say to me personally? What should I say to the community in the light of its concrete situation?

“The preacher ‘should be the first to hear the Word of God which he proclaims’, since, as St Augustine says, ‘He is undoubtedly barren who preaches outwardly the Word of God without hearing it inwardly’”.

Verbum Domini is clear. Good homilies are to be instructive. It is a known fact that religious ignorance is unfortunately on the increase in our country.

He is undoubtedly barren who preaches outwardly the Word of God without hearing it inwardly- St Augustine

Take, for instance, the issue of the Eucharist. How many Maltese Catholics really believe that the Eucharist is the body and blood, soul and divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ under the appearance of bread and wine?

Can we ignore the fact that among us there are brethren who believe that what they are actually receiving at communion is bread and wine symbolising the spirit and teachings of Jesus?

Can we refuse to acknowledge that we have people who believe that at Mass they are receiving bread and wine in which Jesus is present? Or, do we not come across those who believe that what they are receiving is merely what has become the body and blood of Christ thanks to their personal belief?

Fully aware of these pastoral difficulties, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued an interesting study in 2012, called ‘Preaching the Mystery of Faith’, to help preachers in their difficult and tough mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ through his life-changing Word.

The document emphasised the catechetical aspect good homilies should incorporate.

The US bishops state: “We also recognise that many Catholics, even those who are devoted to the life of the Church and hunger for a deeper spirituality, seem to be uninformed about the Church’s teaching, and are in need of a stronger catechesis.

“At a time, when living an authentic Christian life leads to complex challenges, people need to be nourished all the more by the truth and guidance of their Catholic faith.

“Aware of this present social context and realising the need for a deeper evangelisation among our Catholic population, with renewed vigour the Church’s preachers must inspire and instruct the faithful in the beauty and truth of Catholic tradition and practice.”

Cracking occasional jokes and recounting human interest stories during a homily also make sense if they serve to reinforce its cathetical purpose.

frmarioa@gmail.com

Fr Mario Attard is a member of the Order of Franciscan Capuchins.