ePriest.com: Your Spanish Homily

Readings

Reading I: Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26
Psalm: Psalm 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Reading II:
Gospel: Matthew 9:35–10:1, 5a, 6-8

Preaching Tip

Consider Answering the Real Questions Our Parishioners Have

When we have a question, we pay more attention to the answer.  If I need to know which gate my flight is departing from, I pay attention when I hear my flight number called over the intercom.  It is human nature.  But in that same airport, once I have my questions answered, the rest of the noise and bustle and announcements over the intercom become mere background noise that is tuned out.

This human experience is helpful to keep in mind each Monday morning in which we sit down to begin drafting our homily.  

Here is a tip.  Start with writing down a list of questions that real people in the pews will be asking.  It is wise to consult a wide and diverse group of people about these questions.  By trying to answer some of these real questions, we can help keep people from “tuning out” during the homily.

It is a monumental problem for preachers who consistently answer questions almost nobody is asking or cares about, such as:

• Why is the priest wearing rose colored vestments?

• Why is Advent four weeks long?

• What happened to Father this past week on his way to the post office?

Rather, for example, a young person is going to have questions and thoughts such as the following:

• Why don’t I have more friends?

• Will I make the basketball team this year?

• Why can’t I hear God’s voice?

• I can’t see anyone else my age here…so why is being at Church important?

• My school tells me that science explains everything… why do I need all this pretend stuff (religion)?

If as a preacher we never address any questions like the ones the young person has, that young person can rightly conclude that the Church is not helpful, not important, and people at the church don’t care about me. 

If, however, I address a real question that people have in their hearts, the congregation will naturally perk up and be more receptive of the Good News we can bring them this Advent.