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Father Paul Scalia is shown speaking in 2018 at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Ohio. He is the author of "Sermons in Times of Crisis: Twelve Homilies to Stir Your Soul." (CNS photo/courtesy Franciscan University)

New book highlights 12 historic homilies delivered in times of crisis

June 24, 2019
By George P. Matysek Jr.
Catholic Review
Filed Under: #IamCatholic, Books, Commentary, The Narthex

This is the cover of “Sermons in Times of Crisis: Twelve Homilies to Stir Your Soul,” a new book by Father Paul D. Scalia. (CR file)

“Sermons in Times of Crisis: Twelve Homilies to Stir Your Soul” by Father Paul D. Scalia. TAN Books (Charlotte, North Carolina, 2019). 162 pp. $27.95

As the Nazi regime systematically killed those it deemed mentally ill or “unproductive,” a fearless bishop of the Diocese of Münster took to the pulpit in 1941 to denounce and challenge.

If the right has been given to kill “poor defenseless mentally ill,” Blessed Clemens Von Galen said in his homily, then it has been given to murder all who are classified as unproductive — the incurably ill, “cripples unable to work,” those incapacitated because of work or war, the infirm elderly and others.

“It is unthinkable what degeneration of morals, what universal mistrust will find its way even into the family,” Blessed Von Galen said, “if this frightening doctrine is tolerated, taken up, and followed.”

Woe to humanity and woe to the German people, he thundered, if the holy commandment of God, “Thou shalt not kill,” is not only broken, but tolerated and taken up as a regular practice without punishment.

Blessed Von Galen’s homily, copies of which spread throughout the Third Reich and around the world, is one of 12 inspiring sermons published in a new book by Father Paul D. Scalia, “Sermons in Times of Crisis: Twelve Homilies to Stir Your Soul.”

Spanning a time frame from the fourth century to the present, the carefully-selected works show how some of the Church’s greatest clergymen applied the word of God and the teachings of the Church to moments of crisis.

If there’s one thread that runs throughout the selected homilies, it’s courage.

The courage needed to speak out against euthanasia in Nazi Germany is obvious. Similar courage was shown by St. John Paul II in a 1979 homily in Poland when the pope encouraged Poles to embrace God in the face of Communist persecution. Likewise, the soon-to-be martyred Blessed Jerzy Popieluszko asked his Polish countrymen in a 1983 homily to claim their right to God, to love, to freedom of conscience, to their culture and their national heritage.

Yet Father Scalia, vicar for clergy in the Diocese of Arlington, Va., also brings to light preaching requiring a more subtle kind of courage.

Father Scalia, son of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, includes a 404 homily by St. Augustine of Hippo, for example, that challenges his listeners to reject the temptation to adopt pagan practices to fit in with the larger society.

In a 1576 homily, St. Charles Borromeo urges his brother priests to be unafraid of ministering to plague victims in Milan and of the martyrdom that might ensue. St. Charles himself modeled what he preached by working among those suffering from the plague.

Father Paul D. Scalia is vicar for clergy in the Diocese of Arlington, Va. (CR file)

A 399 homily by St. John Chrysostom encourages people to show mercy instead of judgement against a fallen member of the imperial court who desperately sought sanctuary in the church even after he had advocated the abolition of such asylum.

In a recent telephone interview with the “Catholic Baltimore” radio show produced by the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Father Scalia said courage is needed both to face down those who are threatening the church and to challenge the faithful by telling them what they need to hear rather than what they might want to hear.

He believes three elements are present in a good homily: it is rooted in Scripture, it is intellectually engaging and it is applicable.

Importantly, Father Scalia said every speaker must be in union with the truth he conveys. The greater the union, the more convincing the words. The preacher must always try to interiorize the Gospel and the doctrine of the Church so it “bubbles forth” in homilies, Father Scalia said.

Throughout the church’s history, he argues, there have always been “good” and “bad” preachers. What’s happening in modern times, he said, is that clergymen are being tempted to be merely entertaining or self-revelatory.

“We’ve gotten away from homilies that really teach doctrine,” he said, “and that’s a loss.”

Whenever a priest or deacon preaches, he should be teaching or reinforcing a teaching of the Church, Father Scalia said.

In his book, Father Scalia provides commentary on each of the selected homilies. Not every sermon is preached in a time of crisis, he notes.

“Indeed, we should desire that the Word be proclaimed in an atmosphere of tranquility so that it can be interiorized more serenely and deeply,” he writes. “But just as the big game reveals an athlete’s talent, so the crises in the Church’s history reveal the greatness of her preachers or, rather, the greatness of the Spirit speaking through them.”

Listen to an interview with Father Scalia below. He discusses his new book, the state of preaching today as well as some personal observations including how he selected the theme for the homily at his father’s funeral.

 

Also see

‘Befriending St. Joseph’, and imagining his silent sorrows

Everyone must take part in politics for the common good, pope says

In a polarized world, what is the mission of the church?

Bible is ‘key to evangelization’ and soul of theology, says Bishop Barron

In learning about saints, faith is strengthened, says book club participant

Joyful Revolution: Happiness takes courage, rebellious spirit, pope says

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George P. Matysek Jr.

George Matysek, a member of the Catholic Review staff since 1997, has served as managing editor since September 2021. He previously served as a writer, senior correspondent, assistant managing editor and digital editor of the Catholic Review and the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

In his current role, he oversees news coverage of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and is a host of Catholic Review Radio.

George has won more than 100 national and regional journalism and broadcasting awards from the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, the Catholic Press Association, the Associated Church Press and National Right to Life. He has reported from Guyana, Guatemala, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland.

A native Baltimorean, George is a proud graduate of Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School in Essex. He holds a bachelor's degree from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and a master's degree from UMBC.

George, his wife and five children live in Rodgers Forge. He is a parishioner of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.

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