SUNDAY PREACHING
Brief Homilies for the Sundays of the Three Cycles

SUNDAY PREACHING
Brief Homilies for the Sundays of the Three Cycles

“Since brevity is the soul of wit, and tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief” (Hamlet, Act II, Scene 2). With these words from Shakespeare, Father Miller introduces his latest book of short reflections on the liturgical readings for Sundays and Holy Days of the three cycles (A, B and C). These meditations are designed to be an aid to priests and deacons in preparing their weekly homilies. As such, they are intended to serve as a spark to ignite the Spirit who will guide the prayerful and studious homilist in this most important service to his people. While recognizing that in themselves these brief reflections are not adequate to the task at hand, Father Miller has nonetheless taken his cue from St. Vincent de Paul who once wrote, “I add my prayers to the warnings given you about going on too long in your sermons. We see from experience that such wordiness hinders their good effect and serves only to try the patience of the listeners, whereas a short, moving talk is often followed by good results.” It is the author’s hope and ours that these pages will assist many in the noble endeavor to preach the Word of God effectively in the assembly of the faithful.

About the Author: Charles E. Miller, C.M., a Vincentian priest who holds the Wilfred L. and Mary Jane Von Der Ahe Chair of Homiletics and Liturgy at St. John’s Seminary in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, served as rector of the Seminary for three terms from 1978 to 1987. In 1988 Cardinal Roger Mahony conferred on him the Laudatus award “for excellence in the promotion of the liturgical life of the parishes and people of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.” Among his many books (all published by Alba House) are: Opening the Treasures (see Priests, Religious & Homiletics Features page); Liturgy for the People of God (3 vols.); Together in Prayer: Learning to Love the Liturgy of the Hours; Ordained to Preach; As Rain That Falls: Homiletic Reflections for the Weekdays of Advent and Lent; and Mother and Disciple.