Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the Holy Spirit and the Church’s mission during his weekly General Audience, emphasizing the crucial role of preaching in the life of the Church. This week, he encouraged preachers to draw from the Gospel’s message and the Holy Spirit’s guidance when delivering homilies.
In his address to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope reflected on a passage from the First Letter of Peter, where the Apostle speaks of those who “preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit.” He explained that Christian preaching has two core elements: its content—the Gospel—and its means—the Holy Spirit.
The Content of Preaching
Pope Francis began by examining the content of preaching, specifically focusing on the term “Gospel” as used in the New Testament. He explained that “Gospel” refers first to the message of good news Jesus shared during His life on Earth, as recorded in the four canonical Gospels. After Christ’s resurrection, however, the term took on a new dimension, signifying the “good news about Jesus,” particularly the Paschal mystery of His death and resurrection.
The Pope cited the Apostle Paul’s words: “I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” He added that preaching, both by Jesus and the Apostles, also encompasses moral duties stemming from the Gospel, such as the Ten Commandments and the “new” commandment of love.
However, Pope Francis reminded the faithful that the proclamation of the Gospel should always begin with the message of grace, as the Apostle Paul warned against putting law before grace or actions before faith. He referred to his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, where he emphasized the central importance of the kerygma (proclamation) in the moral life of the Christian.
The Means of Preaching
Turning to the second essential element of preaching, the Pope focused on the “means” by which the Gospel is proclaimed. He explained that the Gospel must be preached “through the Holy Spirit,” and that preaching with the anointing of the Holy Spirit means sharing not only ideas and doctrine but also the profound conviction and life of the Gospel.
Drawing from Scripture, Pope Francis emphasized that preaching should not rely on persuasive wisdom but rather on a demonstration of spirit and power. He stressed that preachers should focus on conveying “one idea, one sentiment, and one invitation to action” in their homilies, which should last no longer than 10 minutes.
“After 8 minutes, preaching gets dispersive and no one understands,” the Pope said, urging preachers to never exceed 10 minutes. “This is very important.”
Preaching in the Spirit
The Pope acknowledged that some may wonder how such focused preaching can be achieved if it depends on the coming of the Holy Spirit. He encouraged preachers to pray for the grace to proclaim Christ effectively, always remembering that their task is not to preach themselves but Jesus Christ as the Lord.
He also emphasized that preaching oneself can manifest in prioritizing personal pastoral initiatives. Instead, preachers should be willing to collaborate in community initiatives or those entrusted to them through obedience.
In conclusion, Pope Francis prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide the Church in preaching the Gospel effectively to the people of today.
