Prayer and The Sunday Homily

Pope Francis recently emphasized that

@ Preparation for preaching is so important a task that a prolonged time of study, prayer, reflection and pastoral creativity should be devoted to it. (EG 145)

@ A preacher who does not prepare himself and who does not pray is dishonest and irresponsible. (EG 145)

@ A homily results from three movements : pondering, ordering and creating.

@ Pondering involves prayerful reading, meditation on the text,  followed by careful study.

@ Ordering aims at determining a homiletic focus,  organising as preacher's 'pondering'.

@ Creating is the shaping of a homiletic text. This movement involves a decision about homiletic structure.

@ An effective homily requires, prayer, preparation and knowledge of the congregation, and an invitation to the "holy spirit".

@ The homily must be truly the fruit of prayerful meditation.

@ No sign of the Cross at the beginning or at the end of the homily.

Wedding

@ Emohasis should be made on the "Mystery of Christian Marriage".

@ Keeping in mind that there are non-Catholics and non-Christians as well.

Funerals

@ Should be based on the love of God manifested in Christ Crucified and Risen.

@ The belief in eternal life, and the communion of Saints.

@ The merciful judgement of God, and the never endinf life of heaven.