As a preacher myself, I know there are few moments to compare with the affection and approval of parishioners after Mass, especially if you have been helpful in strengthening their faith. But the most distressing moment for me was the one homily I gave that evoked applause. Of course, it was gratifying; but it was disturbing. What was the applause for? The Gospel? The Eucharist? Maybe the stirring indictment of both church and state? Or for me?
There are many styles of preaching. But I have always felt a suspicion of styles that call too much attention to the preacher, whether by extravagant display or studied hyperbole. This becomes particularly dangerous when “preaching to the choir,” who applaud your indictments of everyone but the choir.
The priest preacher is a mediator. The danger is that the mediator can become the message. If the preacher is short on self-knowledge and personal restraint, his own preaching becomes, sadly, more important even than the Eucharist itself or, in non-eucharistic congregations, more important than even the Gospel. The preacher becomes the message. And that is disastrous.
The disaster finally hit Father Pfleger and the parish he loves. It also wounded Barack Obama. In the senator’s search for a new faith community, I hope he finds a church that nourishes his faith and family. I hope, also, he finds a preacher who is more into the Gospel than he is into his performance.
The purpose of the pulpit is to preach the Word of God and Christ Crucified, not politics.
Applause in church is an offense! What is this, a a one act play?
No no no no and yet again no. LM
If you read the sermons of say Augustine – you’ll see that applause, cheering, acclamations, opposition (etc.) were common responses to preaching in late antiquity.
Where is the vaunted seperaton of CHURCH and state so loved by the left?
#3. True. What haw this to do with the tradition of a seemly atmosphere in church here in America?
I too have read Augustine, and they listened to their cell phones and played Texas Hold ’em during church. Should we do the same? ( May divine lightening strike the next blockhead who lets his cell twingle during mass. ZAP!!!)