Is it wrong to want to attend a Mass because of its homily?

Lady Bug · May 14, 2022

I'll elaborate a little more. Say I'm a member of my home parish (rather new), but for personal reasons I took a break from that parish for three weeks or so. During those three weeks I attended another parish, but it's not as convenient to be a member there because it's farther away (not by too much, but just enough to feel tired from a round trip) and I think I have a better prospect making connections at my home parish. Anyway, I didn't think I'd like any other priests' homilies except those of my home parish's priest, but I like the homilies of the farther-away parish more. I think the latter's priest is a better writer of his homilies; they contain meat-and-potatoes, no milquetoast, and I'm left feeling edified from them. I don't praise homilies very easily but I can easily do it for this priest. I'm feeling torn because I think a couple people at my home parish have noticed I haven't been around, and now I'm like...what next? I miss my home parish where I'm not there, but when I came back today I'm like...I miss the other priests' homilies, I get something out of them...

(I better say it right now and beat others to the punch by saying...I know that we go to Mass for the Eucharist...I know...)

WarriorAngel · May 14, 2022

Lady Bug said:
I'll elaborate a little more. Say I'm a member of my home parish (rather new), but for personal reasons I took a break from that parish for three weeks or so. During those three weeks I attended another parish, but it's not as convenient to be a member there because it's farther away (not by too much, but just enough to feel tired from a round trip) and I think I have a better prospect making connections at my home parish. Anyway, I didn't think I'd like any other priests' homilies except those of my home parish's priest, but I like the homilies of the farther-away parish more. I think the latter's priest is a better writer of his homilies; they contain meat-and-potatoes, no milquetoast, and I'm left feeling edified from them. I don't praise homilies very easily but I can easily do it for this priest. I'm feeling torn because I think a couple people at my home parish have noticed I haven't been around, and now I'm like...what next? I miss my home parish where I'm not there, but when I came back today I'm like...I miss the other priests' homilies, I get something out of them...

(I better say it right now and beat others to the punch by saying...I know that we go to Mass for the Eucharist...I know...)

I'm glad the Homilies touch you, as they ought.
It's all parts of the wonder of Mass.

Lady Bug · May 14, 2022

WarriorAngel said:
I'm glad the Homilies touch you, as they ought.
It's all parts of the wonder of Mass.

Yeah, I get something out of those homilies. He's actually quite stoic in his delivery, not even that charismatic (personality-wise) but he's very gifted.

WarriorAngel · May 14, 2022

Lady Bug said:
Yeah, I get something out of those homilies. He's actually quite stoic in his delivery, not even that charismatic (personality-wise) but he's very gifted.

I love a good homily. :crossrc:

Susie~Q · May 14, 2022

I think that homilies are very important, that is how so many of us learn more about the Lord and His teachings. I don't see anything wrong in attending another church if you are more edified by that priest's teachings, maybe the Lord is wanting you to attend there for the time being so you CAN learn more. I guess time will tell.

prodromos · May 14, 2022

Lady Bug said:
I'll elaborate a little more. Say I'm a member of my home parish (rather new), but for personal reasons I took a break from that parish for three weeks or so. During those three weeks I attended another parish, but it's not as convenient to be a member there because it's farther away (not by too much, but just enough to feel tired from a round trip) and I think I have a better prospect making connections at my home parish. Anyway, I didn't think I'd like any other priests' homilies except those of my home parish's priest, but I like the homilies of the farther-away parish more. I think the latter's priest is a better writer of his homilies; they contain meat-and-potatoes, no milquetoast, and I'm left feeling edified from them. I don't praise homilies very easily but I can easily do it for this priest. I'm feeling torn because I think a couple people at my home parish have noticed I haven't been around, and now I'm like...what next? I miss my home parish where I'm not there, but when I came back today I'm like...I miss the other priests' homilies, I get something out of them...

(I better say it right now and beat others to the punch by saying...I know that we go to Mass for the Eucharist...I know...)

Do they live stream?
Perhaps you can attend your home parish but catch the other's homily later online?

RileyG · May 14, 2022

Do what is best for you spiritually. I do not thing it's wrong at all IMHO.

Lady Bug · May 15, 2022

prodromos said:
Do they live stream?
Perhaps you can attend your home parish but catch the other's homily later online?

They don't live stream anymore. They used to, but they didn't live stream every Mass either.

HoneyBee · May 15, 2022

I'll be honest with you Lady Bug, I do the same exact thing. My favorite parish also happens to be one of the farthest parishes from me, and I'm a little nervous to try going to one closer to my house because I'm worried I won't be able to follow along with the homily. I don't have much advice since you said they don't do livestreaming with your preferred parish anymore, but I just wanted to say that I hear you and I can sympathize with your plight. Godspeed, my friend!

boughtwithaprice · May 15, 2022

Lady Bug said:
I'll elaborate a little more. Say I'm a member of my home parish (rather new), but for personal reasons I took a break from that parish for three weeks or so. During those three weeks I attended another parish, but it's not as convenient to be a member there because it's farther away (not by too much, but just enough to feel tired from a round trip) and I think I have a better prospect making connections at my home parish. Anyway, I didn't think I'd like any other priests' homilies except those of my home parish's priest, but I like the homilies of the farther-away parish more. I think the latter's priest is a better writer of his homilies; they contain meat-and-potatoes, no milquetoast, and I'm left feeling edified from them. I don't praise homilies very easily but I can easily do it for this priest. I'm feeling torn because I think a couple people at my home parish have noticed I haven't been around, and now I'm like...what next? I miss my home parish where I'm not there, but when I came back today I'm like...I miss the other priests' homilies, I get something out of them...

(I better say it right now and beat others to the punch by saying...I know that we go to Mass for the Eucharist...I know...)

We go to Mass for the Eucharist yes, but our intellect is also thirsty for the knowledge of God. I get mine by reading and searching out teachers and anyone that can show me the way. The Lord draws us where He wants us.
If you like the far away priest, go and listen to him for a while. We fulfill our Sunday obligation no matter what parish we attend, so you are not in sin. Speak to your priest in confession about your concerns. We do not worship God to please people, so if you are worried about the people at your home parish, don’t be. If you see them, tell them that you need to go deeper and learn more of the Catholic faith. You need to be somewhere else for a while. If they love you and have supernatural faith, they will understand.
God bless you in your battle here on Earth.
Soldiers need nourishment and strength to keep up the fight. Go to the far away parish to get that

Michie · May 15, 2022

A good homily can help carry you through the week. What I can’t stand is listening to a homily and when you revisit it, there is no recollection of anything of substance. Homilies are very important imo.

Lady Bug · May 15, 2022

boughtwithaprice said:
If you like the far away priest, go and listen to him for a while. We fulfill our Sunday obligation no matter what parish we attend, so you are not in sin.

I feel that I need to go listen to him again. How many more times, I do not know. Listening to him was also helping against me having improper thoughts of my home priest.

boughtwithaprice said:
Speak to your priest in confession about your concerns.

You mean about wanting to listen to another priest's homilies other than my home priest's?

boughtwithaprice said:
We do not worship God to please people, so if you are worried about the people at your home parish, don’t be. If you see them, tell them that you need to go deeper and learn more of the Catholic faith.

I'll try not to be, but I'm a little worried because I think they actually want me to find fellowship because they can tell I'm lonely. I don't want to burn bridges with them, and I'm still a member of my home parish. I still prefer my home parish's way of conducting Mass; it's so reverent. It feels old-school, with "Catholicity" to it. I wish I could get my home parish's Mass and faraway parish's homilies in one sitting, but that's only in theory. The faraway parish does not seem as welcoming as the home parish, and when Mass is over, I feel this awful emptiness as the building is clearing out. I don't blame the emptiness on the Mass.

boughtwithaprice · May 16, 2022

Lady Bug said:
I feel that I need to go listen to him again. How many more times, I do not know. Listening to him was also helping against me having improper thoughts of my home priest.

You mean about wanting to listen to another priest's homilies other than my home priest's?

I'll try not to be, but I'm a little worried because I think they actually want me to find fellowship because they can tell I'm lonely. I don't want to burn bridges with them, and I'm still a member of my home parish. I still prefer my home parish's way of conducting Mass; it's so reverent. It feels old-school, with "Catholicity" to it. I wish I could get my home parish's Mass and faraway parish's homilies in one sitting, but that's only in theory. The faraway parish does not seem as welcoming as the home parish, and when Mass is over, I feel this awful emptiness as the building is clearing out. I don't blame the emptiness on the Mass.

I’ll definitely keep you in prayer. You are a soul that is hurting. Ever thought of going to multiple masses? Saturday night at home, Sunday at the far away for the homily?
I would go to daily Mass if I could. I can only go two times per week now and four during first Friday and first Saturday devotions. Due to Mass times I actually have to attend three different parishes

Lady Bug · May 16, 2022

boughtwithaprice said:
I’ll definitely keep you in prayer. You are a soul that is hurting. Ever thought of going to multiple masses? Saturday night at home, Sunday at the far away for the homily?

I could do that but somehow I always worry about not going to bed early enough between Saturday night and Sunday morning

However, I'm not saying your suggestion is wrong. I hope this doesn't look like I'm brushing you off; that's totally not what I'm doing.

boughtwithaprice · May 16, 2022

Lady Bug said:
I could do that but somehow I always worry about not going to bed early enough between Saturday night and Sunday morning However, I'm not saying your suggestion is wrong. I hope this doesn't look like I'm brushing you off; that's totally not what I'm doing.

Do not worry about brushing me off. I only give you suggestions to help. If it does not fit your life, you are free to ignore them. I am not offended in any way

God bless you and I am praying for you

Is it wrong to want to attend a Mass because of its homily?

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