We have two homilies to share today in the Pray Tell feature, Ars Praedicandi. Although both were delivered on the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, using the same lectionary readings (Year A), each is unique—not only by virtue of the fact that they were delivered to different assemblies and in different places, but also in how they carry out their purpose. Seeing them side by side therefore gives us an opportunity to look at craft and style as well as content.
Read moreCategory: Homiletics
Ars Praedicandi: Preaching Church History
As often happens when a new bishop comes to town and tells everyone that they have been doing things wrong, particularly with regard to prayer and liturgy, the people of Constantinople would have none of this. They had called Mary “Mother of God” for years and were not about to change because of some bishop’s theological qualms.
Read moreArs Praedicandi: Thirteenth Sunday of Luke (Orthodox)
When we leave here today, filled with the gift of the Holy Spirit, we will confront the message lingering from Black Friday: buy things! Gather possessions!
Read moreArs Praedicandi: The First Sunday of Advent
I love Gandhi’s description of truth. Truth is a giant tree, a giant oak. And there it stands at the top of Isaiah’s mountain that we are all climbing.
Read moreEd Foley’s Homily for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
To suggest that I am unenthusiastic about being in the pulpit this morning after such a shocking and chaotic week is an understatement…
Read moreDonald Trump Teaches Preaching
…I’m simply suggesting that reflecting on his speaking style is of value (as is reflecting on the speaking style of other communicators)
Read moreGreg Kandra on Homilies: Keep it simple, already!
You would think some of these guys had never heard a homily before.
Read moreRitual Words in an Age of Drivel
I wonder how our instinctual distrust of the words spoken by so many people public figures colors the way most people hear the words spoken in and by the Church.
Read moreHow Long Should the Homily Be?
The average homily of Pope Francis has about 961 words.
Read moreLiturgy and Civic Strife
I invite readers to share their experiences of liturgies that did or did not address these large issues of our day.
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