 |
 |
 |
 |
Q: Are there any regulations on the telling of jokes or using of humour in homilies? I don't mind the occasional smile during a homily, but I do resent reflections on the Word of God descending to the level of comedy routines. What is the best way for me to approach this form of liturgical abuse when I see it, especially when it becomes routine? (Tom)
Dear Tom,
The homily is the “pre-eminent” form of preaching, an important component of the Liturgy of the Word in which, “…the mysteries of faith and the norms of Christian life are to be explained from the sacred text [i.e. Scriptural readings]…” A homily must be preached at all Masses on Sundays and holy days of obligation when a congregation is present (Can. 767 §1-2).
Canon Law further explains what a homily should contain and achieve: “Those who proclaim the divine word are to propose first of all to the Christian faithful those things which one must believe and do for the glory of God and the salvation of humanity. They are also to impart to the faithful the doctrine which the Magisterium of the Church sets forth concerning the dignity and freedom of the human person, the unity and stability of the family and its duties, the obligations which people have from being joined together in society, and the ordering of temporal affairs according to the plan established by God” (Can. 768 §1-2). In essence, the homily, like the sacred liturgy overall, is intended to shape our minds and hearts to the will of God.
The homily is, thus, a very important means of strengthening the people’s faith and communicating the Church’s teachings, and the question of whether or not jokes are appropriate is a good one, since it seems to be a common occurrence these days. While the Church does not specifically say that humour should or should not be used, it stands to reason that a moment of such spiritual significance as the homily – and for many Church-goers today it is the only moment of such spiritual significance per week - must be treated with the greatest of reverence and respect by preachers and laypersons alike. That some clergy use humor as a stylistic device in the liturgy might be explained as an effort to offer the Good News in a manner that they deem will be stimulating and maintain interest. Indeed, this end goal of ensuring that the message is received by the congregation is vital and, yet, can be equally difficult in a society that expects to be entertained. While some clergy may be tempted to use humour to reach their congregation, humor for entertainment purposes, or to gain the congregation’s favour must be strictly avoided at all cost. In any event, we want to assume that most preachers would use humor with the best intentions at heart.
As effective as humor can be to draw people’s attention to a topic, it is a delicate matter to use it in Church for religious purposes. Humor of any kind intends to amuse, cause laughter, make fun of something or someone, and while we credit our faithful and clergy with the intelligence to know the difference, it is imperative that we do not allow the sacred to become trivialized or ridiculed, directly or indirectly. A distinction may be made here between the intentional use of jokes and the occasional humorous remark. Jokes can often appear artificial and out of place whereas a humorous personality can bring the desired stimulation and interest in a natural, subtle way. In any case, however, we do well to recall the exhortations of St. Paul to Titus, repeated throughout his pastoral letters, to “teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1) and “in your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned …” (Titus 2:7-8).
In keeping with St. Paul’s admonition, the homilist has the moral and spiritual obligations to uphold the very sacredness of the liturgy, as liturgical rubrics and other church documents make very clear. The Constitution on the Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council reminds us of the unique and most sacred character of the liturgy when it states that “Christ is always present in His Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations. He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass, not only in the person of His minister … but especially under the Eucharistic species. … He is present in His word, since it is He Himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church” (SC 7). Recognizing that in speaking to his congregation it is truly Christ who speaks, the homilist should say only what Christ would say and he has the Gospels to show him what He said and how He said it. Given this awesome privilege and responsibility, the celebrant must, therefore, be reverent throughout the sacred rites and, during his homily, intend that in preaching the Good News he will touch the hearts and minds of the congregation with God’s message, not his own. If in using humor the homilist detracts or distracts from this main objective and changes its character, he fails his congregation.
A priest or deacon should, of course, become adequately familiar with his parish so as to recognize if the use of some humor will be effective. After all, the very purpose of the homily will be severely hampered should the parishioners, such as yourself, be distracted, irritated or the like due to what is perceived as irreverence from the homilist’s use of humor. An effort at understanding the sympathies and sensitivities of one’s parishioners, therefore, should be undertaken by parish priests and deacons before stepping into the sanctuary.
Of course, every homilist is no doubt aware that the effectiveness of the liturgy and, by extension, of the homily does not depend on the power of his presentation. “Pastoral experience well demonstrates the capacity of the power and eloquence of the sacred text [itself] to stir the hearts of those who hear it” (The Priest and the Third Millennium 2.2). The sacred liturgy, therefore, need never become, as you put it, “a comedy routine” in an effort to reach the congregation. Indeed, by virtue of Christ’s action in the liturgy a homily will be effective in and of itself in sharing the Good News, even if no stylistic devices were to be used, no props, no stories, no humorous remarks. As a matter of fact, any homilist would do best to rely humbly on the power of the inspired Word rather than on his own speaking abilities. But in order to rely sufficiently on the inherent appeal of the divine message, adequate preparation on the part of the homilist is absolutely necessary. Such preparation includes meditation on the Scriptures and study of authoritative exegesis; proper understanding of the Church’s teachings; knowledge of the lives of the saints, and the like (The Priest and the Third Millennium 2.2). Therefore, while humour may be present it can only be occasional, subtle, secondary, and supplementary at best. It should not be used if it does not enhance the message and respect the sacredness of the liturgy. If, at the end of Mass, the message of the homily is forgotten while the humor remembered, it was not appropriate.
If you have concerns that a homilist’s use of humor is a distraction that tends to debase the sacred liturgy and inhibit reflection on the Scriptures, it may be possible that the preacher is not aware. You may first wish to pray for your homilist, even as the homily is being given which is of critical importance at the best of times. Secondly, you may wish to reinforce the more serious and substantial points of the homily, first in your own mind, but then also with the preacher, perhaps as you leave the Church, to make sure that he understands that people prefer and need substance rather than style. And thirdly, you may try to approach the homilist in person, courteously and at an opportune time – or, if you prefer, in writing - to share your concerns by simply asking the questions you have posited here.
On a final note, lest anyone think, as we have heard it said many times, that “Church is no fun” – which incidentally may have convinced the well-intentioned homilist to inject some humor – the Christian faith offers a profound uninhibited joy which no joke, no comedy routine, no humorous anecdote could ever rival or produce.
God Bless,
Fr. Norbert