On the evening of 20 November 2020, the Priestly Fraternities of St. Dominic in the Philippines launched its project “[H]Our Preaching”, an online sharing of reflections on the scriptural readings of the following Sunday Mass. The endeavor intends to devote an hour of study of the designated readings, especially the Gospel, in order to assist the priests in preparing a substantial and engaging homily in their respective parishes.
Hosting the regular online conferences is the Promoter of the priestly fraternities in the Province, fr. Arden Xerxes Dacuma, OP. In this endeavor, the shared reflection normally commences with an exegetical exposition of the scriptural readings delivered by fr. Wenifredo Padilla III, OP, professor of Sacred Scriptures at the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila. The forum then proceeds to give an opportunity for the priests to clarify nuances in interpretation, to receive caution in possible misinterpretations, as well as to give their own approaches in delivering the homily.
Pope Francis addresses the subject of the homily in his 2013 Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. In his Wednesday General Audience on 7 February 2018, the Pope emphasized the importance of not treating the homily as a casual discourse, nor a conference or a lesson, but rather as a way of “taking up again of the dialogue already open between the Lord and His people, so that it finds fulfillment in life.”
Through this endeavor, the priests of the Dominican fraternities in the Philippines hope to respond to the Pope’s admonition to offer to all those who participate in the Mass a real service, that is, by a preaching that comes from prayer and a careful study of the Word of God.
fr. Florentino Bolo, OP
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