How Often Does The Sunday Homily Hit You Like A Ton Of Bricks?

[Adrestia]

Today's homily was one of those that hit me real hard...

Edited May 25, 2008 by tgoldson

[praying4carmel]

This is a good poll..my (Msgr)Priest does a good job of writing his own Homilies; he can be forgiven for the occasional "Canned Sermon" as he usually does not pull those out unless he has had an extremely busy weekend with a funeral or two and a wedding, etc. His Day Homilies are excellent and off the cuff..right on the scriptures; Often with some dry humor when appropriate.

I am blessed...He's in his 70's..Gets prayed for Alot.

[Brother Adam]

My priest usually uses the Divine Office to shape his homilies so I almost always know what's coming. I to make sure to thank him for celebrating Mass each Sunday though. It might be his "job", but our priests need to hear that they are appreciated too.

[Theologian in Training]

Good poll. I nulled vote because I was curious

[Adrestia]

Several years ago one of my less favorite priests told us, the congregation, that we should pray for priests every Sunday - especially if we are dissatisfied with the quality of the homily. It had never crossed my mind before then.

I find that when I arrive early and pray before mass - even if not specifically for the priest - the homily hits me harder. There have been times that I felt sorry for everyone else because the homily was so obviously targeted just to me.

[HisChildForever]

When homilies are long, I sometimes feel that the Priest sort of drags his point and sometimes even repeats himself a few times. I may be really interested in the beginning but then after ten or fifteen minutes, when I am trying to figure out what the point is, my mind starts to wander. (Don't get me wrong, I've been glued to really good, long homilies before, it's not length that's the issue, it's more the content and the preaching style.) When the homily is about the readings and if the Priest links Scripture to current events, that really gets my attention. And I also like when the Priest personalizes his homily and gives a life experience and relates it to the Gospel.

Edited May 25, 2008 by HisChildForever

[TeresaBenedicta]

I generally get 'hit' more often with weekday homilies, even if they are shorter and more simple, than I do by Sunday homilies. Although, I almost always get [i]something[/i]. If I didn't, then I know that I really wasn't paying much attention at all.

As for praying for my priest... I never thought to do so [i]before[/i] Mass specifically. I will sometimes pray, during the homily, for the Holy Spirit to speak to me through the priest. I generally keep my priest in my rosary and pray for him (and other priests) at other times.

[Alycin]

It never crossed my mind to pray for the priest before mass on Sundays.

Good poll. thank you.

[Jaime]

there was about two years that I was playing guitar for a hospital mass. There was usually less than 30 in attendance and i swore most of the time his homily was directed at me.

Since then its only happned a couple of times

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1541880' date='May 25 2008, 04:31 PM']When homilies are long, I sometimes feel that the Priest sort of drags his point and sometimes even repeats himself a few times. I may be really interested in the beginning but then after ten or fifteen minutes, when I am trying to figure out what the point is, my mind starts to wander. (Don't get me wrong, I've been glued to really good, long homilies before, it's not length that's the issue, it's more the content and the preaching style.) When the homily is about the readings and if the Priest links Scripture to current events, that really gets my attention. And I also like when the Priest personalizes his homily and gives a life experience and relates it to the Gospel.[/quote]

10-15 minutes, in my opinion, is too long. My bishop once told me anything longer than 7 minutes is unnecessary and you start to lose them. I don't think I have ever gone close to 10, maybe the longest is 5 or 6.

I think today might be my longest only because I included the Communion Prayer of St. Pio at the end, and even then I think it was 6 minutes.

[Lil Red]

+J.M.J.+
i always pray for my priests (locally) every day, morning and evening. especially for their obedience to Holy Mother Church out of love for Jesus Christ.

most homilies leave me bored to tears, mainly because there is no point.

[Adrestia]

[quote name='Lil Red' post='1541964' date='May 25 2008, 04:10 PM']+J.M.J.+
i always pray for my priests (locally) every day, morning and evening. especially for their obedience to Holy Mother Church out of love for Jesus Christ.

most homilies leave me bored to tears, mainly because there is no point.[/quote]

I wish you could have heard ours today. I was brought to tears, but not from boredom.

[MissyP89]

One of my priests gives homilies that often make me feel like he wrote them for me...and he always makes us chuckle, if but once.

But I don't pray for them. Maybe I should.

[EAnn246]

The Priest at my school gives outstanding homilies. I'm sad that I just graduated because I won't get to be there for Mass every weekend. Quite a few of his homilies have felt like they were directed to me. I distincly remember a few that hit me over the head like a ton of bricks. I know that I'll always carry those messages with me. He preaches for a long time (15-20 minutes usually), but doesn't seem to lose anyone. He often uses life experiences , challenges us, and connects his homilies to students (because most of the people at the Mass are college students). They're just... amazing.

At home, our two priests also deliver great homilies. I was a little worried because they both came to our church last year (after a year of loss after they reassigned the Parochial Vicar and Fr. Dan passed away... both of these people were fantastic). Anyway, our two current priests also apply life lessons/stories/experience while talking about the Gospel, etc. They keep their homilies around 10 minutes, which works for my church. They've also delivered a couple homilies that felt like they were directed at me.

I like it when Priests use life experiences, challenge the congregation, remind us of why we are in church and what it means to be Catholic (because people seem to forget this part), and teach us about scripture. As for length, I think it depends on the Priest and the church. I know of some who ramble on causing the congregation to lose focus. For Fr. Phil at school, the longer homilies work. At home, the shorter ones work.

I try to remember to pray for my priest before Mass. It doesn't always happen.

[Theologian in Training]

Also, you have to remember, sometimes we do have you in mind when we preach

And, btw, my bishop did not just discourage me from preaching long, he said if he hears I went over 10 minutes he'd kill me, and he's Italian he could prolly do it

Edited May 25, 2008 by Theologian in Training