The inestimable Fr. Schall, SJ, makes a salient point.
The replacement of the sermon for the homily on scripture has yet to prove its superiority. The faithful are in dire need of systematic teaching on doctrine. The neglect of doctrine has left generations bereft of familiarity with orthodox teaching in the Church, this all in the name of Scripture. It is not that one cannot find "doctrine" in Scripture--that is its origin--but the discipline of clear teaching is not merely or fully satisfied by scriptural commentary or reading. Catholicism includes the direct addressing of reason.
Homiletics is nice, but its implied constraints hobble.
Not to mention it's pretty boring listening to someone read ghost-written tripe designed not to offend anyone.
ReplyDeleteYes! Many years ago in Ireland our PP (who was a former Professor of Dogmatic Theology at Maynooth - the national seminary) wrote a Catechism. It was on the lines of the Baltimore Catechism - clear, succinct and unapologetic.
ReplyDeleteOver the course of a couple of years that catechism was sytematically 'taught' in the sermons at every Sunday Mass. I thought it was a great idea at the time - and is still a good idea today!