The homily

PEOPLE have been asking me about how the homily in the

Mass should be. I, of course, find it difficult to answer that

question, knowing that behind that question are often critical

observations people make, and that every priest has his own style, has

his own merits and limits which should be respected.

            But what I can say is that, first of all, the homily is an

integral part of the Mass, and as much as possible, should not be

omitted, especially on Sundays and holy days of obligation. It should

be given its due importance and understood properly by both the

priests and the faithful attending the Mass.

            Pope Francis said that the homily “is not a casual

discourse, nor a conference or a lesson, but a way of ‘taking up anew

that dialogue which has already been opened between the Lord and his

people.’” In other words, the homily is a continuing dialogue that

Christ initiates with the people, applying the perennials truths of

faith to the current circumstances of the people.

            The homily is not therefore some kind of class or lecture,

but rather Christ continuing his redemptive work on us, inspiring and

edifying us. Pope Francis said that priests should deliver good

homilies so that the “Good News” of the Gospel can take root in

people’s hearts and help them live holier lives.

            What is clear is that the priests in delivering the homily

should be very conscious that he is assuming the very person of Christ

as head of the Church. He has to project and channel Christ there, not

himself. He should be careful not to “steal the spotlight” from

Christ.

            And the priest should be most aware that he is speaking to

the people with the view of helping them to become more and more like

Christ, who is pattern of our humanity and the savior of our damaged

humanity. He is not there to entertain them, or to give them a class.

            While the priest, of course, can and should make full use

of whatever would help the people to listen to him during the homily,

the net effect should be that it is Christ whom the people listen, and

not just him. The priest should regularly examine himself if such is

the case when he delivers the homily.

            In this regard, it might be helpful to make use of some

words of St. John the Baptist who said, “He (Christ) must increase,

but I must decrease.” (Jn 3,30) Or some words of St. Paul who said,

“It is no longer who lives but Christ lives in me.” (Gal 2,20)

            The priest should find a way of how he can put these words

into his life, into his over-all attitude toward things, and

especially when he is giving the homily. He should know well the art

of passing unnoticed so that only Christ would shine out.

            Indeed, he has to spend time meditating on how he can

assume the mind and the presence of Christ wherever he is and

especially when he is celebrating the Holy Mass and giving the homily.

He should try his best never to depart from this state of mind, since

he is already sacramentally conformed to Christ head of the Church

whether he is saying Mass, walking in the street, or doing sport, etc.

            Yes, he has to spend time studying the gospel thoroughly

so that he can truly incarnate it in himself and express it in ways

that can really present Christ who would like to continue his

redemptive dialogue with the people of our times.

            There should never be room for improvisation. And when for

some reason one is caught unprepared because of some emergency

situation, he should implore the Holy Spirit to guide him, and let the

tremendous wonder of the Spirit speaking through him take place.