The introduction of FIYH continues on the theme of the proclamation of the Gospel. While this document intends to cover the Sunday homily, other forms of proclamation are noted, charity, and the Eucharist itself:

“Proclamation” can cover a wide variety of activities in the church. A life of quiet faith and generous loving deeds is proclamation; the celebration of the Eucharist is the proclamation “of the death of the Lord until he comes.” But a key moment in the proclamation of the Gospel is preaching, preaching which is characterized by “proclamation of God’s wonderful works in the history of salvation, that is, the mystery of Christ, which is ever made present and active within us, especially in the celebration of liturgy.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium 35.2)

The bishops take up the basic pattern set forth in Presbyterorum Ordinis 4. They endorse the conciliar teaching that preaching is an essential portion of the Church’s sacraments:

 

The Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests (Presbyterorum Ordinis) is especially clear in relating the ministry of preaching to that of the celebration of the sacraments. Since these sacraments are sacraments of faith, and since “faith is born of the Word and nourished by it,” the preaching of the Word is an essential part of the celebration of the sacraments. This is especially true in the celebration of the Eucharist, the document goes on to note, for “in this celebration the proclamation of the death and resurrection of the Lord is inseparably joined both to the response of the people who hear, and to the very offering whereby Christ ratified the New Testament in His blood.”

Any thoughts to offer?

(All texts from Fulfilled in Your Hearing are copyright © 1982 USCCB. All rights reserved. Used with permission.)