As the father of three young children, I accept the fact that I spend at least a portion of Mass refereeing their behavior and making sure that they get through liturgy in one piece.  Try as we may to get them to the bathroom before Mass, there is of course the occasional walk to the restroom.

As the homily-moment in liturgy does not require absolute quiet, we do get to focus in on the weekly message.  Typically, we have found that a great homily involves three things:

• Relevance: great homilies mention and make reference to what’s happening in American or even global culture.
• Surprise: we expect a story and a reminder that the Gospel is valuable.  What most families really want though is a bit of self revelation or a story that catches the listener by surprise.  Our pastor will occasionally reference his work in a local jail or a home visit to someone who is dying.  We need stories like those to keep Gospel living in front of us.
• Application to daily life: nothing beats a practical application point to daily life as a parent and layman.  With work and child raising comprising the bulk of our lives, it’s refreshing to hear a homily that meets both of those tasks head on.  I know that I should be more charitable, but I appreciate learning how to be better filled with love on any given day.

How about in your parish?  What have you found to be helpful for dynamic preaching to take place?

3 Responses to “Three Things that Make Homilies Zing”

1. Facebook User says:

   October 15, 2009 at 11:27 am

   Great list Mike! I would also add “challenge,” which is probably covered in your second two points. The homily should directly challenge us to live the gospel in the coming week.
2. Michele says:

   October 15, 2009 at 11:39 am

   Short and to the point, I would add…especially a liturgy with lots of children. If they are not engaged, no matter how good the parents, then short is good. Seriously. I listen to screaming babies and restless children for 25 minute homilies most weekends that repeat what was read in the Gospel and readings without a point at the ‘children’s Mass’on Sunday…then the priests complain that families don’t attend Mass. Not too difficult to figure out why. It’s very tough to explain to children and parents why they should attend when this happens on a regular basis.
3. Facebook User says:

   October 15, 2009 at 11:50 am

   >>25 minute homilies most weekends that repeat what was read in the Gospel and readings

   Repeating the readings drives me right up the wall. What is with that?