For Short Sermons

Francis gives sound advice on preaching: The homily “is a distinctive genre, since it is preaching situated within the framework of a liturgical celebration; hence it should be brief and avoid taking on the semblance of a speech or a lecture. A preacher may be able to hold the attention of his listeners for a whole hour, but in this case his words become more important than the celebration of faith. If the homily goes on too long, it will affect two characteristic elements of the liturgical celebration: its balance and its rhythm. When preaching takes place within the context of the liturgy, it is part of the offering made to the Father and a mediation of the grace which Christ pours out during the celebration. This context demands that preaching should guide the assembly, and the preacher, to a life-changing communion with Christ in the Eucharist.”

The question is, what draws the attention in the liturgy: “the words of the preacher must be measured, so that the Lord, more than his minister, will be the centre of attention.”

Preachers speak for mother church, and so must adopt a maternal tone. And, like a good mother, preachers must be attentive to what God is doing among her children: “The same Spirit who inspired the Gospels and who acts in the Church also inspires the preacher to hear the faith of the Gods people and to find the right way to preach at each Eucharist. Christian preaching thus finds in the heart of people and their culture a source of living water, which helps the preacher to know what must be said and how to say it.”