The Priest as Teacher and Preacher
The Priest as Teacher and Preacher
The priest, in his sermon, should not wound anyone’s feelings,
especially in topics he criticizes or warns people about. It is not proper for him to use hurtful sarcasm, sharp criticism, insults, or belittling people in an offensive manner lacking gentleness, as though his words were arrows directed at certain individuals… For this method may cause some to stay away from the church or to think that the priest is targeting them personally to insult or humiliate them before the congregation…
And the priest may not excuse himself by saying that he has the authority to rebuke!
He may hold fast to the apostle’s command to his disciple Timothy the bishop: “Rebuke, exhort…” (2 Timothy 4:2), yet the apostle adds immediately after: “with all longsuffering and teaching.”
This same apostle, when speaking to the elders of Ephesus, told them that he spent three years among them, never ceasing to “warn everyone night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:31).
He warns with tears—not with insult and injury.
The positive spiritual word in teaching is far stronger and more effective than insults in sermons…
And know that the bad habit you want people to abandon may require time.
It also requires divine help and the work of grace for some to be delivered from it.
They will not stop it merely because you insult those trapped in it; you may also need to pray for them.
Saint Paul the Apostle says: “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were in the body.” (Hebrews 13:3).
And know also that part of preparing a sermon is preparing your spirit to deliver it.
A sermon is not merely words spoken; rather, it is an influence on souls.
This influence springs from your spirit, your relationship with God, and God’s work in the word.
Imagine that the great Saint Paul the Apostle says in his epistle to the Ephesians:
“Pray for me, that utterance may be given to me when I open my mouth…” (Ephesians 6:19).
The priest must also respect the mission of the pulpit.
The pulpit is the place of teaching; it is for the service of the Word only…
It is not for settling disputes with certain people, nor for expressing a personal policy the priest desires.
It is not for displaying his problems with the church council, or with the Sunday school, or with anyone else.
The pulpit is not a platform for self-advertisement or self-defense;
it is a spiritual mission and a word of benefit.
Many in the church may have nothing to do with the issues the priest presents and may stumble—or at the very least, not benefit anything for their spiritual edification.
The teaching pulpit is also not for spreading personal ideas.
It is for spreading the Church’s mind, doctrine, and teaching.
He who has a personal thought or doctrine has no right to make it a universal doctrine of the Church.
This is neither his right nor his authority.
If each priest were to spread his own ideas that are not from the Church’s doctrine, this would lead to confusion—and perhaps to heresy.
The Holy Synod alone presents the Church’s teaching.
And if something new arises, the Holy Synod does not declare it except after thorough study, discussion among its members, and reliance on the teaching of Scripture and the sayings of the Fathers.
And if Scripture says that “the priest’s lips should keep knowledge” (Malachi 2:7), it means the established teaching of the Church in Scripture and recognized tradition—not the priest’s personal interpretation!
For personal interpretation differs from one person to another.
Let the priest beware of spreading everything he reads in books, especially foreign ones.
For in the West, freedom of thought is widespread to the extent of rejecting some teachings of the universal Church, and even some teachings of the Bible!!
There are many deviations and doctrinal trends, and everyone says and teaches whatever he wants. As a result, denominations multiplied and differed… and what is known as “Biblical Criticism” appeared.
Beware, therefore, of these foreign writings, whether in their original languages, translated, or quoted.
Do not teach anything except what you received from the Church.
For this, Saint Paul the Apostle says to his disciple Timothy the bishop:
“The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2).
How many have harmed the Church by spreading their own ideas and doctrines, or by admiring new ideas they wished to impress people with, without realizing their accuracy or danger!!
Behind this may lie self-admiration or pride that thinks it knows what others do not know, or wants people to think so.
Or this may result from a lack of respect for the Church and her teaching!!
Therefore, every new thought that comes to you—give it a period of incubation until it stands on firm theological foundations.
Until it is established on Scripture, on the tradition of the Church, and on the teaching of the Fathers.
Do not spread it quickly and make others adopt it.
By doing so you harm yourself and others with you.
There is no harm in consulting the knowledgeable and experienced and in researching, for teaching does not accept haste at all.
Also, some priests in their teaching address matters that are not their specialty,
and they express impulsive or spontaneous opinions that are often criticized!!
If asked a question—even about atomic science, or space sciences, or precise medical or scientific matters—they do not hesitate to answer abundantly so that listeners do not think them ignorant!
But it is known that no one is specialized in all sciences, otherwise what is the meaning of “specialization”?
It is also known that the priest’s scientific field is not in such matters.
If the priest remains silent in these topics, this is not a fault in him, and no one should blame him.
In this regard, beautiful is the story of Saint Abba Antony when he posed a question to some of his disciples. Some answered, but Saint Abba Joseph said, “I do not know.”
Then Abba Antony told him: “Blessed are you, Abba Joseph, for you have found the way to the words: I do not know.”
Some priests in their sermons address social matters and enter into details that lower the level of the sermon.
Therefore, I ask—when you speak about social matters or family relations—to observe the spiritual level of the sermon, and not address these matters except in a spiritual manner, dignified, reverent, careful, and brief.
Likewise in spiritual teaching, do not lay on people heavy burdens.
Regarding this the Lord rebuked the scribes and Pharisees because they “bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” (Matthew 23:4).
And He said to them: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men…” (Matthew 23:13).
The apostles observed this matter in the first Holy Council in Jerusalem.
They began their decision saying: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things.” (Acts 15:28).
And know that the sermon is addressed to people generally—not all are at a high spiritual level.
The higher spiritual levels can be spoken about to specific groups who can walk in them, or can be given individually in confession sessions to those capable of following them.
Otherwise, such teachings may be offered gradually, even in public sermons, by saying: “This is the high level, and the first step toward it is such and such…”
This also applies to many spiritual means such as prayer, fasting, and detachment.
Remember the words of Saint Paul the Apostle:
“I fed you with milk and not with solid food, for until now you were not able to receive it.” (1 Corinthians 3:2).
The wise priest is the one who progresses with his people gently, guiding them without pressuring them with commandments beyond their ability, so they do not fail from the beginning or despair…
And the priest may not issue harsh judgments against those who cannot meet certain practices, nor describe them with hurtful words, as Pharaoh said to the people: “You are idle! You are idle!” (Exodus 5:17).
Each person has his own circumstances: whether health conditions, work conditions, spiritual understanding, or training in spiritual life.
The beginner is not like the mature, nor like the one walking toward perfection.
Treat people with gentleness and longsuffering.
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