Preaching the Mystery of Faith: The Sunday Homily

Fr. John GuthrieAssociate Director, Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and VocationsUSCCB

PowerPoint found at: www.usccb.org/priesthood

Two Talks:

Exploration of the DocumentMagisterial foundationsContents of the DocumentComparison with “Fulfilled in

Your Hearing” (1982)

Practical Pastoral ImplicationsSome strategies and

resourcesCase study

Magisterial Foundations:

Dei VerbumGod self-communicatesA personalist view of

revelation

Pope Benedict XVI“Balance”Exegetical approachPromotion of “theological

exegesis” leading to “theological homilies”

Preaching the Mystery of Faith

The context: the New Evangelization which is the “focus, mission, and ministry of the Church going into the future” (p. 3)

The challenge: “the homilist of today must realize that he is addressing a congregation that is more culturally diverse than previously, one that is profoundly affected by the surrounding secular agenda and, in many instances, inadequately catechized” (p. 5)

Objectives“To stir the hearts of our people” (p. 4)

“To deepen the knowledge of the faith” (p. 4)

“To renew their living the faith in the world and participation in the Church and her sacraments” (p. 4)

“To lead people into a loving and intimate relationship with the Lord” (p. 26)

“To lead the hearer into the deep inner connection between God’s Word and the actual circumstances of one’s everyday life” (p. 29)

“To inspire and move those who hear it, to enable them to understand in heart and mind what the mysteries of our redemption mean for our lives and how they might call us to repentance and change” (p. 30)

The integrative role of the homily—Insights from the Emmaus StoryHeading away from

Jerusalem and the Introductory Rite“The Paschal Mystery informs Human Experience”

Old and New Testament illumine one another = the Liturgy of the Word

Homily links Scripture and Eucharist = Liturgy of the Eucharist

“The Emmaus account illuminates the interpenetration of the two dimensions of the Eucharistic liturgy. Jesus’ explanation of the Scriptures (the Liturgy of the Word) leads to an intense experience of communion with the Risen Christ (the Liturgy of the Eucharist), and the very vividness of the latter bring about a deeper appreciation of the former (‘Were not our hearts burning within us?’)” (p. 17)

Sending on mission = Concluding Rite

“Our encounter with Jesus inevitably leads to mission; our love for Jesus translates into love for others. This is why the homily … ought to inspire a sense of mission for those who hear it, making them doers and proclaimers of the same word in the world. A homily that does not lead to mission is, therefore, incomplete.” (p. 18)

The new and key section of document: "The Sunday Homily, Doctrine, and the Church's Catechesis" (pp. 21-27)

“the intrinsic relationship between preaching, doctrine, and catechesis” (p. 21)—example: St. Paul’s preaching

A balanced approach and the place for theological homilies

“The Church’s rich theological, doctrinal, and catechetical tradition must therefore properly inform the preaching task in its liturgical setting” (p. 5)

Comparison with Fulfilled in Your Hearing (FYH) (1982)

Fr. Jeremy Driscoll, OSB: “Nothing is lost here…. But much is gained”

ContinuityExplicit Affirmation of FYHTheology of the PreacherAffirmation of importance of

images, metaphors and stories

Discontinuity (shades of difference)PMF: a statement of the

whole ConferenceHumility vs. confidenceStarting pointAssessment of the culture,

surrounding environmentView of historical-critical

method

Reflection Questions:What do you find affirming about

the new document, Preaching the Mystery of Faith? What do you find challenging?

How does the insights of the document affirm your own preaching? How do they challenge it?

Practical Pastoral Implications

“The Church’s rich theological, doctrinal, and catechetical tradition must therefore properly inform the preaching task in its liturgical setting” (p. 5)How can catechesis and doctrine “inform” the preaching task?

Theological Tools:

A good Catholic commentary such as the “Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture”

Fr. Daniel Merz and Marcel Rooney, OSB: Essential Presidential Prayers and Texts (Liturgical Training Publications, 2011)

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture (InterVarsity Press)

Good Catholic theology

Sample HomilyStructure:ExperienceReflection on experienceEnlightenment from ScriptureAdmonition to change =

conversion

Sample Homily (revised)Structure:ExperienceReflection on experienceEnlightenment from ScriptureTheological SectionAdmonition to change =

conversion

Sample Homily: Possible Theological Improvements

Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture“Drink the cup”“Baptism”On the Lord’s right and left

Mass parts for 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time:Collect: “Almighty ever-living

God, grant that we may always conform our will to yours and serve your majesty in sincerity of heart.”

Prayer over the Offerings: “Grant us, Lord, we pray, a sincere respect for your gifts, that, through the purifying action of your grace, we may be cleansed by the very mysteries we serve.”

Prayer after Communion: “Grant, O Lord, we pray, that, benefiting from participation in heavenly things, we may be helped by what you give in this present age and prepared for the gifts that are eternal.”

Catechism of the Catholic Church60515511570

Good Catholic theologyFr. Jeremy Driscoll, OSBCreed: “For us men and for our salvation”

”Jesus is Lord”

Fr. Robert BarronIncarnation … kenosis

Online resource:usccb.org/homiletics

Process:

Evaluate a recent homily: what are the possibilities of making it more catechetical/theological?