Preaching the Mystery of Faith

Christians are linked with us in the “closest intimacy” 62 by the same sacra ments, including the Eucharist and Holy Orders. Protestant Christians, too, are our brothers and sisters in Christ, based on a common Baptism and a reverence for the Scriptures, and have a preaching tradition from which we have much to learn. This common Christian identity must always provide the context when speaking of other Christians in homilies, especially when commenting on specific differences. The diversity of the American population and the tensions within con temporary society should also alert the preacher to the need for respect and a thoughtful use of language when speaking of other faith communities in the Sunday homily. A succession of statements by modern popes and U.S. bishops, for example, has emphasized the need to avoid any prejudice or anti-Jewish or anti-Semitic views in Catholic preaching. Proclamation of the Scriptures should be, if anything, an occasion for promoting respect for Juda ism and the Jewish tradition, the spiritual ancestry from which Jesus and the Gospels emerged. 63 The political turbulence and violence in the Middle East sometimes contributes to local prejudice against Muslims in our country. It is import ant to remind the faithful that, as stated clearly in Nostra Aetate , 64 recent papal teaching, and statements of episcopal conferences, Catholics are called to respect Muslims. An emphasis on peace and patience together with the encouragement to foster good relations with local Muslims is crucial, there fore, when preaching about Islam in any context. Whether commenting on other faith communities or on the secular cul ture in which we are immersed, the homily is not a place for bitter invective, coarse rhetoric, or stereotypes and caricatures of other people’s religious tra ditions or ethnic backgrounds. Prophetic challenge of false values is a legiti mate and often necessary responsibility of preaching that draws its inspiration from Sacred Scripture. But the Eucharistic context of prayer and thanksgiv ing should encourage a tone of charity and respect in homilies even when using words of admonition or warning.

62 Unitatis Redintegratio ( Decree on Ecumenism ), no 15. 63 JPTSS, no. 87; Nostra Aetate ( Declaration on the Church’s Relations with Non-Christian Religions ), no. 4. 64 See Nostra Aetate , no. 5.

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