Pope Francis On Homilies & Gospel: Key Insights For You!
Do you ever wonder about the profound simplicity at the heart of faith, the enduring power of a message delivered with clarity and conviction? The essence of true preaching, the core of the Gospel, lies in its ability to resonate deeply within the human heart, transcending time and culture.
On the first Sunday after Christmas, the liturgy invites us to contemplate the Holy Family of Nazareth. Every Nativity scene, in its serene depiction, presents Jesus alongside Mary and Joseph in the grotto of Bethlehem. This image, familiar to all, embodies the sacredness of family and the humble beginnings of the divine. And so, we begin.
Today, as we observe the Feast of All Saints, the liturgy resonates with the "programmatic" message of Jesus. His life, as described in the Gospels, was one of constant movement and unwavering purpose: "He went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons" (Mark 1:39). Jesus, the preacher and healer, devoted his days to these two fundamental aspects of his ministry: preaching to the people, teaching the law, and spreading the gospel. This message is the foundation of the faith.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Pope Francis (Jorge Mario Bergoglio) |
| Born | December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Education | Master's degree in Chemistry, Philosophy, and Theology |
| Ordained Priest | December 13, 1969 |
| Episcopal Ordination | June 28, 1992 |
| Archbishop of Buenos Aires | February 28, 1998 March 13, 2013 |
| Cardinal | February 21, 2001 |
| Elected Pope | March 13, 2013 |
| Known For | Emphasis on mercy, social justice, humility, and environmentalism |
| Key Writings | Evangelii Gaudium, Laudato Si', Fratelli Tutti |
| Website | Vatican Website |
Jesus commences his preaching with the words: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand" (Mark 1:15). This is the first and most fundamental message: God is near. His kingdom has descended to earth. It is a message of immediacy, of nearness, a proclamation that is accessible to all.
Pope Francis, in his wisdom, has often emphasized the importance of concise and impactful preaching. "Lengthy, abstract homilies are a disaster," he stated. Speaking to diocesan liturgical directors on January 20, he underscored that homilies should ideally be limited to around ten minutes. This is because shorter, more direct communications are better. The longer sermons have negative impact, and are a waste of time.
The Gospel narrative of the Easter Vigil, a night of profound spiritual significance, introduces the women who went to the tomb of Jesus, bearing spices to anoint his body (cf. Mark 16:1). Their act of devotion highlights the love and reverence that followed Jesus even in death. The women were there to anoint the body.
The prayer at the beginning of Mass seeks two graces from the Lord: "to listen to your beloved Son," thereby nurturing our faith through the Word of God, and "to purify the eyes of our spirit, so that we might one day enjoy the vision of glory." These two requests are a beautiful synthesis of the spiritual journey: one is the acceptance of the teachings, and another is the understanding of the teachings.
On Sundays, the evangelist Luke presents Jesus in the synagogue in Nazareth, his hometown. He reads from the passage of the prophet Isaiah, announcing the mission of evangelization and liberation that the Messiah will undertake. This is the start of spreading the word, and delivering the message.
The Gospel of the liturgy addresses a matter that was dear to Jesus's contemporaries. It was connected to the adherence of rites and rules of behavior. These people had to avoid any contact with unclean things or persons. If that happened, they had to erase the "stain".
The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, known as the Feast of the Encounter, marks a significant moment in the relationship between Jesus and his people. The liturgy speaks of Jesus going to meet his people. This is the encounter between Jesus and his people, when Mary and Joseph brought their child to the temple in Jerusalem. The first encounter between Jesus and his people, as represented by Simeon and Anna, took place. This marked the first encounter.
The words with which Jesus begins his preaching in Matthew's Gospel, and the refrain he repeats today, serve to emphasize an essential message: If you are with Jesus, if you love to listen to his word as the disciples of that time did, if you strive to live out this word every day, then you are on the right path.
Pope Francis' homilies, such as the one given on the liturgical feast of Divine Mercy at the Church of Santo Spirito in Sassia on the Second Sunday of Easter, April 11, 2021, offer guidance and spiritual nourishment. His words are always filled with grace.
During the Chrism Mass, Pope Francis delivered a message, emphasizing that "The Spirit of Truth will guide you." He further stated that confessors are ministers of mercy, underscoring the importance of compassion and forgiveness.
Pope Francis's cycle of catechesis is a source of spiritual insights. Last year, the Pope noted that Catholic priests risk losing the attention of parishioners if their homilies, or sermons, extend beyond ten minutes during mass. This is a practical point of advice.
In January 2023, speaking to liturgical directors, the Pope described longer reflections as a "disaster." This highlights the importance of keeping the message brief and to the point.
The spiritual journey involves all people. The Office of Readings calls attention to those who have lived their lives as a foundation of what they hoped for, as the guarantee of what they did not see, and as the proof of faith. The people who have done this are the ones to look up to.
Homilies should be prepared with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, kept shorter than ten minutes, and focus on the Lord rather than the speaker, Pope Francis has advised. The most important thing is to communicate the message.
When we read the Bible, we discover prayers of various types. Furthermore, we encounter a book composed entirely of prayers, a book that has become the native land, gymnasium, and home of countless men and women of prayer.
This is what the Baptist taught. He was teaching in the desert of Judea. He was "preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins" (v. 4). The whole essence is: repent, and be forgiven. Receiving baptism was an outward and visible sign of the conversion of those who had listened to his preaching and decided to repent.
In the fourth sermon of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus speaks to us who have made the decision to support the community. He speaks to us who value life together and dream of a project that includes everyone. Jesus' message is inclusive.
Pope Francis recently received applause for acknowledging that some Catholic preachers speak for too long. "At times, there are long sermons, 20 minutes, 30 minutes." This is counterproductive, and goes against the goal of preaching. The applause shows the impact of his words.
Pope Francis has clarified that in this expression, we discover the two elements of Christian preaching, which are the Gospel and the Holy Spirit. Pope Francis also mentioned the content. He recalled the use of the word "gospel" in the New Testament. It has two principal meanings, said the Pope. The Gospel is the main message.
