The Best Sermon I Ever Heard

(Written for The Best Sermon I Ever Heard series in St. Joseph’s Magazine)

By Donna Hruska

It was Pentecost Sunday and our first week-end at our new summer cottage in Elcho, Wisconsin. Slightly late and somewhat rumpled in our vacation clothes, we slipped into a side door of the obviously new church, more in the spirit of fulfilling an obligation, I fear, than in eager anticipation. Yet, from the beginning the attention of the whole family was arrested.

The church, startlingly beautiful in its simplicity, was built in the shape of a cross so that the congregation was seated close to the altar on three sides. But the most magnetic figure in the church was the priest, who was saying Mass with such vigor, such obvious enjoyment and devotion, that we found ourselves paying closer attention to what was happening than usual.

The sermon blended beautifully with the Epistle and Gospel of Pentecost. As Father Feeney reviewed briefly the events of that first Pentecost, he dwelled on one pervasive quality of those newly inspired apostles–enthusiasm–enthusiasm for God and their religion.

“Can you imagine,” he asked, “how the apostles must have felt that day? To suddenly be filled with the Holy Spirit, to be able to tell of the glories and wonders of God–and to be perfectly understood by all who heard?”

“How enthusiastic are we modern Christians?” he asked. “Do we speak of God to all we meet? Or are we too inhibited? Isn’t it more socially acceptable today to be moderate in our approach to God? Who among us dares risk being called a religious fanatic?”

“‘Oh, but we are afraid,’ you answer. ‘What will people say? And the apostles–well, the Holy Spirit descended upon them.'”

“Yes, but will He not also come to you? We have the opportunity to receive the Son of God in the Holy Eucharist every day. God showers us with grace.”

“Today’s Gospel says ‘Do not let your heart be troubled, or be afraid.’ We must not be afraid to let others know that we love God. Do not be embarrassed. Have as much enthusiasm for your religion as you have for your work or your play.”

The sermon was too long as sermons go these days. Yet, as I glanced around I was aware of an unusual silence. A baby cried briefly. I saw one child yawn. But everyone else sat in rapt attention.

The announcements at the end of the sermon were in the same vein.

“Welcome to you summer visitors,” he concluded. “We are fortunate to have a church where so many can sit close to the altar. Please sit up front. You parents with small children are especially asked to sit up front close to the altar where the children can see and participate.”

And yet, that was not really the end of the sermon. The whole Mass was the sermon that day. There was no lector or song leader as we were accustomed to in our home parish. Instead, the priest directed the congregation as to what page to turn to, what songs to sing. If the response was weak, he interrupted, “Once again, now, with enthusiasm…” People were smiling as the hymns rang loud and clear and the responses sure and steady. Yet, it was all done with dignity and reverence.

And when, at Communion time, Father Feeney strode into the congregation with Communion for two invalids unable to get to the front of the church, no one was startled at his sudden disappearance from the altar rail. By that time we were no longer a disparate group of strangers, gathered together to pray for our individual desires. We were a community, joined together to praise God–with enthusiasm.

When the Mass was ended, the priest and altar boys walked down the center aisle to the front door of the church and the congregation followed them out. On the front steps, Father Feeney grasped each hand firmly and had a personal word for each person.

The memory of that Mass will be always with me, I think, but never more strongly than when we attend Holy Family Church in Elcho. The next Sunday that we were there we marched our family of eight right up to the front pew. And when two-year-old Susan joined in the singing with “Jingle Bells,” the song she knew best, I was not embarrassed. I knew that God, and His faithful servant, Father Feeney, would know that she offered her best–enthusiastically.

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Donna Hruska May 22, 1967

COMMENTS:

This is a good article, almost Easter-ready and seasonal for next year….although I feel any catholic magazine would like it at any time of year.

Smooth, well presented, infinite in detail and flows along like a just melted river in spring sunshine. I like it!

The only criticism is that we do not know at the start whether the person, in whose viewpoint this is written, is a girl or boy, not until page 3 — lower part of page. Perhaps you might identify the “I” a bit earlier in the article, to establish identity.

Good article! Send to any catholic market. Excellent writing.

AV