BY FATHER RICHARD LOPEZ

"Faith Subjects"

About 17 years ago, a young man who was interested in the seminary came to see me. When he walked into our rather posh looking rectory, he looked at me, looked around and said in total innocence, "Gosh, Father, if this is poverty, I can't wait to see chastity."

The sobering truth is that we clergy preach as much by our lifestyles as by our sermons. St. Francis once said to his brothers, "Preach the good news...using words only if necessary." However, the majority of Catholics only encounter their clergy in the pulpit or on the altar, so our most "seen" sermon is our Sunday homily.

What I find amazing is how many of you comment, compliment or criticize what you hear from the pulpit. I would like to challenge your words and criticism with a blunt statement once made by a famous preacher: "Poor preaching is God's curse on a congregation that does not pray."

I believe it is an accurate statement for several reasons. The constant complaints about sermons and liturgies reflect a deep spiritual malaise among American Roman Catholics. The malaise is that we begin religion with ourselves and our own needs rather than with God and his glory.

In controversial matters, we critique the Church's teaching with our opinions, rather than let the Church critique our opinions. When we sit at Mass, we think "This sermon stinks," or "I am so bored by this Mass."

Such attitudes are really a way of saying, "Boy, are you lucky, God, I have decided to come to Mass. Now you had better inspire and entertain me, or it will be another six months before you see me."

To worship starting with our own needs rather than God's glory is like "picnicking in Gethsemane," Calvin Miller writes. "Delayed gratification has no part in our discipleship. We want Godly goodies now." Air-conditioned churches, padded pews, inspiring sermons are OK, but the first reason to go to Mass is to surrender your heart to God in awed thanksgiving for Christ.

Some people are downright harsh in their criticism of preaching. The truth is that some clergy are gifted speakers, some are not. Some are gifted administrators, some are not. Some priests are most gifted in the confessional or counseling session, some are not.

Rare is the priest or deacon gifted in all areas. Before you charge into criticism of the poor sermon, consider the weekly crucifixion it is for the man who knows he is not a gifted speaker yet must preach each week. Remember, Hitler was an excellent speaker.

Americans are dazzled by the outgoing personality, the dynamic speaker. However, the shy man could very well be the holier man than the gifted speaker. To be truthful there is only one gift you may in justice demand of your priests and deacons, that they are struggling to be holy. All other gifts are grace from the Holy Spirit.

If you find yourself chronically discontent with preaching, ask yourself these questions: Do you arrive at Mass on time, do you pray before Mass, or do you rush in late and leave early, disgusted you have not received "microwave inspiration" from the sermon.

Do you struggle to pay attention to the Scriptures read at Mass; do you own a Sunday Missal to follow along with the text?

Do you pray for the preacher as he begins his homily or do you sit there in cold arrogance daring him to entertain you?

There is a story in the Old Testament for all of us in terms of homilies. The young Samuel was awakened by God from a sound sleep. Confused, he went to old Eli, who advised him to return to his room, and say to God,

"Speak, Lord, your servant is listening."

Perhaps you can stay awake through your parish homilies by praying silently, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening." You may be surprised what you hear.

In the Middle Ages, Catholics had the custom of running from church to church to gaze on the host elevated at Mass. Today Catholics rush across parish boundaries to find the preacher and liturgy that inspires and entertains them the most.

"Who's saying the noon Mass?" is a frequent call in most rectories. A strange question when everyone knows the answer, a Catholic priest.

Have we lost a sense of what, in all places, the Mass is: the renewal of Christ's loving sacrifice, the sacrament of his real presence, the wonder-working grace that shapes us all into the family of his Father. What more do you want?

Any parish, any personal faith based on the preaching

or personality of a priest rather than on Christ's eucharistic presence and love is bound to crumble.

Finally, for those of us charged and challenged to preach the word of God, it is a scary task. I am terrified of preaching. It is the greatest contact we have with people. In most of our parishes we have more contact with people in one Mass than a month of appointments.

The Sunday sermon is the only religious instruction 80 percent of our people receive. At each Mass there is possibly present a person who will be dead by the next Sunday, and more than likely a person who has come back to the Church after 34 years, testing again the waters of faith.

We should be scared. We should study. We should look for ways to improve our communication skills.

We should be brief. (I think the psychological capacity of the American public for the spoken word is five minutes.)

But first and foremost, we must never speak of Christ unless we have first spoken to Christ. I fear that you people can tell the difference. Our challenge to preach is first a challenge to holiness.

The Jesuit DiNobili once wrote, "Be careful that you preach nothing which is not by God's grace found doubly in you."

So, dear people, turn your criticisms, comments and compliments into prayers for the holiness of the clergy, and then you might get some fire from the pulpit.

Father Lopez teaches religion at St. Pius X High School in Atlanta.