I'm collecting selections from ecclesial documents on preaching for the homiletics students.
Here's one from Pope Paul VI's Evangelii nuntiandi:
42. [. . .] Preaching, the verbal proclamation of a message, is indeed always
indispensable. We are well aware that modern man is sated by talk; he is
obviously often tired of listening and, what is worse, impervious to words. We
are also aware that many psychologists and sociologists express the view that
modern man has passed beyond the civilization of the word, which is now
ineffective and useless, and that today he lives in the civilization of the
image. These facts should certainly impel us to employ, for the purpose of
transmitting the Gospel message, the modern means which this civilization has
produced. Very positive efforts have in fact already been made in this sphere.
We cannot but praise them and encourage their further development. The fatigue
produced these days by so much empty talk and the relevance of many other forms
of communication must not however diminish the permanent power of the word, or
cause a loss of confidence in it. The word remains ever relevant, especially
when it is the bearer of the power of God.[70] This is why St. Paul's axiom,
"Faith comes from what is heard,"[71] also retains its relevance: it is the Word
that is heard which leads to belief.
43. This evangelizing preaching takes on many forms, and zeal will inspire
the reshaping of them almost indefinitely. In fact there are innumerable events
in life and human situations which offer the opportunity for a discreet but
incisive statement of what the Lord has to say in this or that particular
circumstance. It suffices to have true spiritual sensitivity for reading God's
message in events. But at a time when the liturgy renewed by the Council has
given greatly increased value to the Liturgy of the Word, it would be a mistake
not to see in the homily an important and very adaptable instrument of
evangelization. Of course it is necessary to know and put to good use the
exigencies and the possibilities of the homily, so that it can acquire all its
pastoral effectiveness. But above all it is necessary to be convinced of this
and to devote oneself to it with love. This preaching, inserted in a unique way
into the Eucharistic celebration, from which it receives special force and
vigor, certainly has a particular role in evangelization, to the extent that it
expresses the profound faith of the sacred minister and is impregnated with
love. The faithful assembled as a Paschal Church, celebrating the feast of the
Lord present in their midst, expect much from this preaching, and will greatly
benefit from it provided that it is simple, clear, direct, well-adapted,
profoundly dependent on Gospel teaching and faithful to the magisterium,
animated by a balanced apostolic ardor coming from its own characteristic
nature, full of hope, fostering belief, and productive of peace and unity. Many
parochial or other communities live and are held together thanks to the Sunday
homily, when it possesses these qualities.
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