Should a Homily Be 'Academic'?

Busted Halo Show w/Fr. Dave Dwyer · Apr 20, 2026 · 10m

A listener named Brenda asks Father Dave about the content of a homily. "One Sunday, a priest was giving his homily and began to explain something. He added, 'The homily should not be academic,'" Brenda says. "I thought that 'academic' meant 'instructional.' Am I wrong to think that it is fine for a homily to be teaching us something? I really appreciate it when the priest gives us background information such as common practices in biblical times. The more I can learn, the happier I am."