Before You Criticize the Homily…
An e-mail has been circulating in my area with the transcript of a recent homily (PDF 36K). I think it is something every lay Catholic needs to hear and heed. Father Brian Higgins’ delivered this homily on June 29, 2008 at Saint Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Roswell, Georgia.
Among his points are that many Catholics only encounter their clergy during the Sunday mass, and then tend to judge him based solely on his abilities as a speaker. Fr. Brian comments that “what I have found most amazing is how many and how often people comment, criticize or email about what they hear from the pulpit.” He continues:
You see, rare is the priest who is gifted in all areas. And so before you charge into criticism of the poor sermons you have heard, consider the weekly crucifixion it must be for the priest who knows he is not a gifted speaker or homilist and yet must preach week after week anyway. And instead of our prayers and appreciation for giving his life to Christ for the good of our souls, rather he is mocked and written horrific emails because he is not as talented as we wished him to be; but my dear friends, it will do us all well to remember that Adolph Hitler and Jim Jones both were dazzling and dynamic speakers.
Are we only going to church as a form of entertainment? Or are we going to worship God? “Yes, air-conditioned churches, padded pews, inspiring sermons are nice,” he states, “but the first and foremost reason we go to Mass is to surrender your heart to God in an awed thanksgiving for the sacrifices made by Christ.”
As I would’ve said in my Protestant days, “Preach it brother…er, Father!”
3 comments so far
You are so right. Hitler would have been a fantastic priest!
Wait, I may have missed the point.
Oh this is so true.
A priest can be so wonderful in so many ways and stumble in this area. Unfortunately this is also one of the most public of their jobs and the one most people judge them by (many times harshly – I too am guilty). A priest that struggles in this area might be really great in the confessional or many other areas that don’t get near the recognition.
Also, when new priests start out they need time to develop their style and get used to the public speaking. It is just a shame that sometimes priests are taken out of a parish just when they are hitting their stride. (Father B – just getting good when transferred.)
RZ –
You might be confusing Fr. Brian Higgins with Fr. Bryan Small, who now is at Emory’s Catholic Center (http://www.emorycatholic.org/tp40/page.asp?ID=61125). Regardless, I agree with your point: Fr. Bryan was awesome and I was sad to see him transfer, but I bet he’s great working with the college students now!