We reviewed all of the surveys as they related to the homilies preached at our Sunday Masses during the month of January; the feedback that you provided was overwhelmingly positive.
Over 90% of your responses indicated that your experience of the Sunday homily was good or excellent. This is very affirming to all of us. Yes, there were a few clunkers in the over 20 different homilies and 10 various homilists that were reviewed. Some of the critiques included such descriptions as: disjointed; too long; a re-telling of the Gospel; the preacher looked uncomfortable.
Yes, every homilist has his own style and not every person sitting in the pews will walk away with a positive experience; however our primary intention is to preach as Jesus preached. Jesus invited his first hearers to turn away from sin, to change their attitude, their entire manner of living, and to see reality in the light of the Gospel, the Good News of God. This is why every effective homily is a summons to conversion. The announcement of the Kingdom through the words and examples of the homily, if it is clear and compelling, inevitably leads the hearer to a desire to be changed.
There is an old-saying about homilies: “they should comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” “Good preachers,” as my homily professor used to say, “Have the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other.” We will continue to strive to make a thoughtful and integral connection between the Scripture passages proclaimed in the Eucharist and the requirements of Christian faith and practice.