What is a homily?

What is a homily?

The goal o

Student Name

Mr. Smith

Christian Ethics

Date

Word Count:

Homily: September 4, 2018

One can describe life by the example of a tree. Where a tree has many characteristics such as the trunk, branches, leaves, flowers, and fruit, its basis for living comes from the sap and roots. The functions of roots are critical to the lifeline of a tree, taking up air, water, and nutrients from the soil. In addition, the sap assists the roots in delivering major nutrients throughout a tree. Sap inside a tree is similar to blood inside the human body. Likewise, both, the roots and sap of a tree, serve as a metaphor for the body and “spirit” of a human. From 1 Corinthians 2: 10-16, we learn that God has revealed to us true wisdom through the Spirit and His Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God.

In the aforementioned section of scripture, God teaches us the means by which He reveals Himself. By divine revelation through the help of the Spirit, we opens our minds to the “mysteries” of the truth, allowing us to discern what is truly vital to our salvation. Upon this revelation, a person comes to know the wisdom of God, which centers on Christ and Christ’s crucifixion. According to 1 Corinthians 2: 11, which specifically states “Among human beings, who knows what pertains to a person except the spirit of the person that is within?” This passage resonates the scripture Job 32:8: “There is a spirit in man, and the breadth of the Almighty gives him understanding.” In other words, 1 Corinthians 2: 11 teaches us that a person’s spirit is the source and overseer of his thoughts. Similarly, no one knows what pertains to God except the Spirit of God. Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 2: 12-13, we learn that we are to receive the Spirit that is from God so that we may comprehend all things freely given to us by God. God further instructs Christians to seek words taught by the Spirit as opposed to words taught through human wisdom. With these instructions, we further learn, as written in 1 Corinthians 2: 14-16, God states the natural person does not accept the Spirit of God, for the natural person cannot understand spiritual realities in spiritual terms and instead perceives it as foolishness. Finally yet importantly, the scripture indicates that the spiritual person can judge everything and they are not subject to judgement themselves by anyone. In translation, this means that Christians are to make intelligent, spiritual decisions.

Achieving true wisdom is by way of God’s Spirit. We know that God’s wisdom is something mysterious, which goes deep into the interior of His purposes. Furthermore, God has determined that in membership with His Spirit brings out the best in us. In other words, it seeks to go into the depths of what He has planned for our lives. If Christians follow the teachings of His Spirit, He offers us gifts of life and eternal salvation. In turn, we do not have to rely on worldly guesses and opinions. To experience the Spirit is to be self-taught, person to person, through Jesus. This is the only way that a person can receive the gifts of God’s Spirit. Ultimately, we are learning to communicate from spirit to spirit because God’s Spirit and our spirits are in open communion. With this connection, believers have access to everything God is doing for us spiritually and cannot be judged by unspiritual reviewers.

It is an absolute necessity, as Christians, to connect with the Spirit of God and only by the intervention of the Spirit are we called to understand the spiritual realm. As further stated in 2 Peter 1:21 “For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spoke from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.” The spiritual man only, is the person to whom God gives the knowledge of his will. In closing, in the Holy Scriptures, the mind of Christ, and the mind of God in Christ, are fully made known to us. It is a great privilege of Christians, that they have the mind of Christ revealed to them by his Spirit. Our knowledge from God is a gift from God, so let us always give thanks to God for this gift of spiritual life.

f a homily is explaining to the congregation what it means to be a Christian in the current situation.

What should be the topic of a homily?

A priest can generally give a homily on anything, but there are a few guidelines that are encouraged.

· The Scripture readings from that Mass

o The priest can focus on one specific reading, or draw themes from all of them

· The feast day (if applicable)

· Something of Sacramental importance

What is needed to write a good homily?

A homily is a speech, which is a lot like an essay. As such it needs:

1) A hook-usually some kind of joke/story/personal anecdote, the more topical the better

2) An introduction-lay out what you’re going to talk about

3) Reflection on the spirit of the topic (usually Scripture-include specific citations)

4) Behavior proscriptions-what does the topic tell us about how we should behave?

5) A conclusion that synthesizes the spirituality with the behavior

Note 1: It is common for priest to do Steps 3-5 repeatedly, addressing every part of his discussion independently and then having a master synthesis at the end.

Note 2: A homilist has to walk a fine line between using language that is too childish and using language that every listener has a chance to understand.

The Assignment

Requirements: MLA Style Approximately 700 words (2 pages), double spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman/11 pt Calibri, identify the day of the homily on the Title line,

Structure: Follow the above prescription

Crafting a Homily:

1) Use the USSCCB’s list of daily readings (www.usccb.org/bible/readings). Pick a day from the month October.

2) Use the chart on the back to identify significant elements and their moral implications

a. You may also use the Feast Day being celebrated on that day

3) Write the homily in an accessible but not too colloquial style (you may use first person, but not sentences like “I believe that”)