The art of preaching

THOUGH some people consider preaching as some kind of public enemy to be shot down, the truth is that we need preaching, since preaching is none other than transmitting the living word of God.

            It’s a necessity in our life: for our survival, for our enlightenment, and especially for our salvation. God’s word gives life, nourishment, light, purification and redemption. “Not by bread alone does man live, but by every word of God,” (Lk 4,4) we are told clearly by Christ.

            That’s why we need to see to it that we develop and ever polish the art of preaching, which is a vital extension and participation of the preaching of Christ. Through the powers of the sacraments and the liturgy, Christ’s preaching continues up to now, this time making use of authorized ministers.

            This is how we have to view preaching. It’s not just some priest yakking at a certain point in the Mass. It is delivering and listening to the word of God as expressed once by St. Paul when he extolled the Thessalonians:

            “We give thanks to God...because when you heard and received from us the word of God, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but, as it truly is, the word of God who works in you who have believed.” (1 Thes 2,13)

            It’s about time that we give serious attention to this very important aspect of our life, since as we all know a lot of flaws, confusion and wrong practices have marred it through the years.

            I remember that as a kid in the early 60s, I would go home at the start of the homily on Sundays to take breakfast, and when I came back, it was still the homily. Practically everyone was bored and disconnected.

            Thank God, a lot of improvement has taken place since then. The men do not anymore flee from the church during the sermon. The priests in general have acquired an engaging way to deliver their homilies. Still a lot of things need to be done.

            We have to understand that what is involved in preaching and in listening to it is God’s Word, which is not just any word. If we have to go theological about it, God’s Word is the very Son of God who became man to redeem us.

            God’s Word, perfect God and perfect man, is the perfect and sole bridge and mediator between God and us. When we preach and when we listen to it, this basic reality has to be very much in mind, otherwise we will miss the point and will get entangled with the peripherals.

            Living faith is needed by both preacher and hearer, a faith that exudes itself externally. Thus, the preacher has to be more a witness to that faith than a teacher of it. And the hearer has to be a believer, touched first by God’s grace, since otherwise nothing of God’s Word would enter his heart if he does not have faith.

            It is in this regard that on the part of the preacher, all effort should be done to vitally immerse himself both in God and in others, acting like a bridge and mediator between God and men as Christ was and is.

            He should plunge deep into the knowledge of the doctrine of Christ, the fullness of God’s revelation to us, and also into the knowledge of men, not only in a theoretical way, but also and more importantly in a practical and direct way.

            It’s only in this way that preaching becomes true, genuine preaching, and not just a delivery of some smart lecture or entertaining show. Obviously, a lot of preparation has to be done before one preaches.

            Of this, Pope Francis reminded us recently in his document, Evangelii gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel). He recommended that after praying to the Holy Spirit, one thoroughly studies, reflects and meditates on the Biblical text that should be the basis for the homily.

            Then God’s word has to be personalized, going beyond the technicalities of the text and employing the “lectio divina”, one has to ask himself what God wants to say to him with the words.

            Then the preacher has to keep a keen ear to the people to find out what they need to hear. Thus, the preacher should be in constant contact with flock to such an extent that as the Pope said, he himself would smell like a sheep.

            Then the delivery has to be engaging, with “an idea, a sentiment, and an image”. It also has to be positive.