I am in the middle of reading
"Wider
than Heaven", a collection of eighth century homilies on the mother of
God. In an excellent introduction, the editor has done a great job of
explaining the oratorical, rhetorical and linguistic structures of these
sermons.
Two things have struck me about this. One, if a pastor today
were to deliver such a sermon, 99% of this material would go over the heads of
100% of the congregation. This is not meant as a putdown but a realization of
how different people are today. Two, in delivering these sermons as they did,
they were speaking to the people in a way they best understood.
This does not mean what you are
thinking. These homilies are remarkable works of rhetoric as well as being
theologically solid. To actually hear them required work. We must not dumb down
our speech, either casual or sermonic. The glory of the gospel should not be
delivered in a McDonalds box. Speak the meat and allow the questions that will
come up to stimulate further dialogue and consideration.
May we always present the gospel in
a way that is both fitting and faithful.
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