Young diocesan priests are encouraged in the seminary to hammer away on sex issues in homilies. Talk about abortion and contraception regardless of the gospel connection. Generally, the people who attend English speaking mass are elderly. These are not their everyday issues. Now the bishops have come out with a new document that says priest should connect the Sunday homily with the daily lives of the people. Duh! I hope the young guys get the memo. We religious learned this in "Preaching 101."
On the other hand, how does one learn about the daily lives of the people in the pew? Listen? Dialogue? Well, if the priest is taught that the people are really stupid about all things churchy, his attitude for listening and dialogue is somewhat compromised, you would think? One can only hope.
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I hope they listen also. The past months homilies have barraged us with either sex/abortion/or politics. We want to hear about the Gospel in our lives, how to make it in this tough world, bring joy. I cannot bring my children to these sermons, so we miss often, then tentatively try again, like a lottery to see if a mass will have such a homily!I'd like nothing more than to attend a real "family" mass with my family.
ReplyDeleteAs a Boulder family, we enjoy following you to different Churches and we look forward to receiving your schedule; thanks Mbaumgardner!
ReplyDeleteNever underestimate the power of a homily graced with humor and compassion based on the Gospel reading as it relates to us. We do want to be challenged, no?
As far as "Preaching 101", I am tickled by the priest who speaks so earnestly, yet with such a thick accent that when he has finished, noone oould understand a word that was spoken. All the effort just falls on our deaf ears.
I agree! The new young priest drones on about abortion and marriage... really? what gives you the experience to tell me about how to be married? How long have you been married? Give me a story about YOU, about your parents, your sister, your failings and make it real! Toss in a joke or humourous anecdote too - just don't stand there for twenty minutes describing the three readings - we know, we just read them!
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