Folia Canonica 2. (1999)
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE. - Vladimir Filo: Homily as a Specific Duty of Ordained Persons
HOMILY AS A SPECIFIC DUTY OF ORDAINED PERSONS 291 institutes or act (c. 86). But it is also to be considered that homily is not a juridical act, for there is no right or obligation deriving from it, but a juridical institute, if we consider the homily in the context of the Code.12 III. Homily and Liturgy Looking for the answer to this question we also have to clarify whether the given norm contains essential constituents or not. We have to set out from the theological interpretation of the homily. The homily as a theological term is translated to the terminology of law in the Code, just as the teaching and the ecclesiology of the 2nd Vatican Council.13 The homily must be considered in the context of the triple office (munera) of the Church: teaching, sanctifying and governing. All three are carried out by Christ in one person as Prophet, Priest and King. Homily here has a unique relationship with the prophetic or the teaching office. This office has a close connection with the proclamation and interpretation of salvation that is realised in words and deeds.14 The fulfilment of this office contains many different forms of preaching the word of God, such as evangelisation, studying and of course the homily which is attached to liturgy. Liturgy is not a private, but a public action of the Church (cf. c. 837). Liturgy is the exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ (cf. c. 834, § 1). The homily on the one hand belongs to the teaching office of the Church, for it is the ministry of the word of God, by which Christ’s prophetic office is being exercised. But on the other hand, as a part of the liturgy, homily also belongs to the sanctifying office of the Church since it is carried out by the liturgy (cf. c. 834, §1). The lay Christian faithful participate in the prophetic and at the same time in the sanctifying office of the Church through the sacrament of baptism and confirmation. Those who receive ordination fulfil these offices not only as members of the Church but also as those who belong to Christ, the Head. Therefore in the person of Christ the Head (in persona Christi Capitis) they fulfil the function of teaching, sanctifying and governing (cf. c. 1008). 1. The teaching of the Council The text of c. 767, § 1 is based upon the liturgical constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium. In the constitution we read: “By means of the homily the mysteries 12 Cf. Fox, L’omelia (cf. nt. 7.), 11. 13 Cf. Joannes Paulus II, Const, ap. Sacrae disciplinae leges, for the English translation see: Code of Canon Law, Latin-English Edition, CLSA, Washington 1983, xi-xvi. i4Cf. LG 12, 35; CD, 12-14; PO 1,4, 13.
