MANILA, Nov. 30, 2012—With the advent season at the threshold, a ranking church official reminded priests to seriously prepare their homily and make sure that it is related to the Gospel readings of the day more than the prevailing political and social issues.
In an interview with YouthPinoy, Msgr. Joselito Asis, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, made the reminder especially with the looming start of Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo, the traditional dawn novena Mass that Filipinos attend for nine days preceding Christmas Day.
Asis even said that the Year of Faith being celebrated by the Catholic world calls for the proclamation of faith through the homily.
“Homilies are a form of catechesis so priests have to prepare and study the Gospel reading and Scripture for the day,” he said.
Asis discouraged priests against cracking jokes or commenting on popular political or social issues in their homily, saying that part of the Mass should be spent referring to the Word of God.
“You must be faithful to the Word of God. If you want, you may just connect the prevailing issues in your homily but the Scriptures should be the basis so that people listening to you will be nourished spiritually,” he advised priests.
Asis also stressed the significance of a well-delivered homily to the lay.
“People really listen to the homily, especially during Sunday Mass because for them, it is nourishment that will give them strength throughout the week,” he said.
This is why if priests are able to deliver a good homily, Asis said people are “expected that to come again to attend Mass to be nourished.” (YouthPinoy)
