www.byzcath.org Forums Praise the Lord sermons

Dear Friends,

Actually, Charles is right.

If my parish were built on the kind of sermons we get, our church would be in real trouble indeed!

Alex

I can remember a time when a sermon was given during mass, only if the priest had something that needed to be said. It wasn't mandatory. Of course, the Gospel was ALWAYS read. But now, I think there is an over-emphasis on the sermon. It is not unusual today to hear a 20-minute sermon, then a 2-minute canon of the mass. It seems to me that priorities are a bit out of order. Of course, I am referring to the Latin Church liturgy which I experience 5 times every weekend. Our Byzantine consecrations are somewhat longer. Sad to say, most of those sermons I have heard in recent times were either stream-of-consciousness rambles, or pep talks that had no real focus. But to keep things in perspective, I remind myself that I am working when with the Latins, and worshipping when I attend Divine Liturgy.

Dear, in Christ,

I am so encouraged when I hear that there are good sermons being preached, and that people are fed by what they hear.

Sermons were such an important part of my own spiritual life. I have been so fortunate in my life to have been fed and nourished by good sermons. I was so lucky to be in monasteries where the superiors were eloquent and devoted preachers. My parish as a boy, had a pastor whose sermons were models of the genre.

I know that sermons have moved my heart, and brought me to re-dedicate myself to the Gospel more than once. Good sermons were responsible for my own vocation to the monastic life.

Will you forgive me for saying something on this question? Something I have been considering for some time? Forgive me for sharing a few of my own thoughts about sermons and preachers....

It is a real problem, I feel today, that our priests and deacons are so spread out, that we preachers rarely have the opportunity to hear a sermon! When we serve parishes and are called to serve and preach week after week, it is a great honor and joy to accept this invitation. It is also wonderful, and wonderfully appreciated, when there is a visitor, or I am free to go and hear a sermon, but sadly, that does not happen too often. Too often, preachers are preaching, without themselves having the opportunity to be nourished and refreshed by this ministry in the Church.

So, I may suggest, that if you sit and listen to a preacher (good, or less than good), consider that you are very lucky indeed, because the poor soul preaching to you may not have been so lucky as to hear a sermon, or be nourished this way in months and months.

I may also suggest, that preachers do so benefit from comments, feedback, and words of encouragement.

1. It tells them that the people are actually listening and that the congregation considers sermons carefully. (Sometimes we doubt this.)

2. It is hard to know if the intended message is actually being communicated. Feedback helps us to judge this, and perhaps even learn from our experience. (...without comments, it is hard to judge and impossible to learn.)

3. A 'thank you' means so much more than you can imagine. Sometimes we spend a lot of time (sometimes, sadly, less time), but effort does go into sermons. And when that effort is acknowledged and appreciated, it speaks loudly, and encourages us to continue and sometimes, work harder.

4. In the right time and context, even correction and suggestions are much appreciated. We preachers know we are not perfect, and we know when we are in a 'rut' or out of focus. Help to re-kindle enthusiasm and zeal is much appreciated.

Sermons are so important to the life of the Church and the growth of our souls. Our Savior preached, and instructed his followers to take this obligation to heart.

But it is not easy. It is more than just a matter of 'teaching good preaching'.

For the preacher, preaching is a kind of 'laying bare' of the soul, it is a spirit exposed, and devotion (so private and intimate a thing) revealed. It is a vulnerable experience, and sometimes he feels as if not only his faith, but also his sins and many weaknesses are publicly aired.

It is too convenient to retreat into an 'exegesis' of the text, or some other objective discussion. It is easier to tell a story or borrow someone else's words.

The most important thing (can I emphasize this enough?) is to pray! So suggestion number five.

5. The sermon is not a pause from prayer and praise, it is not a moment to catch your breath from the singing and worship. It is an integral part of the Liturgy! Do not stop praying, do not switch to another 'mode' or attitude. During the sermon, listen, yes, but storm heaven and intercede for the preacher and the hearers of the sermon. Pray that God will accomplish his will in the preacher and the congregation, and that hearts may be turned.

Sermons are so important, and good preaching is vital to the growth of our church, and the growth of our souls.

Support preachers every way you can.

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? Or how shall they believe him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they be sent, as it is written: How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, of them that bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10: 14-15.

Forgive me for sharing a few of my own thoughts about sermons, and preachers.

the unworthy,

Elias

Bless, Father Elias,

I too am buoyed by the fact that good sermons are being preached!

Could you forward me a list of the priests' names and addresses?

Alex

Dear, in Christ, Alex,

It is God who blesses you!

I refer my honourable friend, to the response by our honourable friend, above.

Bless, Father Elias,

Does that person speak Ukrainian?

I don't know the translation for "brimstone."

Alex

Dear Father Elias,

Thank you so much for your reflections on "sermons" and how important, indeed, it is to lend our support and prayers to those giving the homilies.

God bless you today and always,

In Christ,

Mary Jo

Fr. Elias,

Yes. Good sermons are a true find. I am not asking preachers "to retreat to exegesis." But when there is no exegesis to be found then there is a problem. It is ok for a preacher to convey his experiences/feelings about a given topic. But a sermon should not be a rehashing of the past week's itinerary, which has nothing to do with the Gospel message. Do we preach Christ Crucified or do we preach about ourselves? Is the sermon a form of psychotheraphy?

Some sermons address the message of the Gospel. Some sermons don't. We come to worship God, not man.

Joe