Preaching the Mystery of Faith

Introduction

The Church is the bearer of Christ’s word to the world down through the ages until the Lord returns. This is why in her sacraments, in her authoritative teaching, in her liturgy, and in the lives of her saints, the Church proclaims the word first entrusted to the Apostles with transformative power. 1 One of the most significant ways in which the Church as the Body of Christ pro claims the dynamic word of God is through the preaching of her ordained ministers, particularly in the context of the Sunday Eucharist. 2 Preaching is nothing less than a participation in the dynamic power of the apostolic wit ness to the very Word that created the world, the Word that was given to the prophets and teachers of Israel, and the Word that became flesh. 3 We offer this reflection on preaching to our brother priests, who, by virtue of presbyteral ordination, share in the apostolic office to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, 4 as well as to our deacons, who may preach the homily in accord with the provisions of canon law as ministers of the word. 5 We also address those who are responsible for the formation and training of future priests and deacons as well as those who conduct continuing education programs for clergy, inviting them all to take to heart this reflection on the ministry 2 See Code of Canon Law (CIC), c. 767 §§1-2; Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (CCEO), c. 614 §§1-2. 3 See Dei Verbum ( Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation ), no. 8: “Thus, the apostolic preach ing, which is expressed in a special way in the inspired books, was to be preserved in a continu ous line of succession until the end of time. . . . What was handed on by the apostles comprises everything that serves to make the People of God live their lives in holiness and increase their faith. In this way the Church, in her doctrine, life and worship, perpetuates and transmits to every generation all that she herself is, all that she believes.” (Citations from Vatican II docu ments are taken from Vatican Council II: Volume 1: The Conciliar and Post-Conciliar Documents , ed. Austin Flannery [Northport, NY: Costello Publishing Company, 1996].) 4 See Presbyterorum Ordinis ( Decree on the Life and Ministry of Priests ), II, 4. 5 See National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States (Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops [USCCB], 2005), no. 35, p. 19; CIC, c. 764. 1 See Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), nos. 2-3. The Intended Audience and Purpose of This Statement

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