The Homiletic Directory. A Presentation and Critical Evaluation

Abstract

The article is composed of three parts. In the first part, the author presents the subject contents of the Homiletic Directory while pointing out the essential theological topics contained in this document, and particularly the nature of the issues of a homily and the criteria for correctly interpreting Sacred Scripture. These criteria were taken from the exhortation Verbum Domini: interpreting a pericope in its biblical context, taking into account the principle of hierarchy of truths of the faith and faithfulness to Tradition. In the second part, the author derives the positive aspects of the Directory. This includes its statements on the topic of the homily's importance and dignity, reference to the Council's teachings on the topic of the homily as an action in the liturgical celebration and a call to being faithful to the Church's teachings by referring to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The third part of the article stresses some breeches and limitations in the Directory. According to the author, here we are referring to a rather enigmatic account of the homily's audience and a lack of information on the topic of aspects of communication in delivering. The document does not contain the unique inspirations of Pope Francis included in his exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. There is also a lack of a deeper reception of the nature of the historical and salvific recommendations present in the Council's Constitution Dei Verbum.