Everybody Loves a Story
by Mary Fisher, O.P.

Once upon a time,  a long, long while ago, there was a --Now you're waiting for me to continue, aren't you?  Is there anything so delightfully intriguing as  that opening phrase?  We know from experience -- from the time we sat at our parent's knees and waited, breathlessly eager to hear the rest of the story.  Would we be transported to ancient times, to the land of fire-breathing dragons, perhaps?  Or would it be a modern tale, about people like us caught in a web of mystery, adventure,  and danger?  Whatever awaited us, we wanted to hear the rest of it, because everybody loves a story. 

When we preach, we are facing some of those people who love a story.  Members of the group or congregation anticipate a homily, of course, but if we can use rhetoric in the sharing of that homily, they will be more inclined to listen to it, appreciate it, and - who knows - perhaps even remember some of it.  And (miracle of miracles!) some  might even be open to the Spirit and take some of the rhetoric into their hearts.

Don't be afraid of that word rhetoric.  It means merely "the art of effective communication."  And as preachers, we all want to communicate effectively, don't we?  We meditate on the Scripture-readings for the day; we practice our voice-projection, eye-contact, gestures.  But sometimes we neglect a very important rhetorical device:  story-telling.

We all know it is the Spirit Who touches hearts.  We are only the poor, battered-up old megaphones or squeaking, squawking microphones through which the Spirit speaks.  Have you heard the story about a self-satisfied preacher who gloried in her abilities, who clutched to her bosom every word of praise she received after giving a homily?

One morning, after an especially dynamic presentation, when she knew she had preached well, a parishioner said to her, "Your homily has changed my life.  I am firmly resolved to return to the Church and the Sacraments --and I owe it all to you!"  "Why, Sir," the preacher replied, preening.  "What exactly was it about my homily that touched you so deeply?" "Oh," the repentant sinner answered, "when, after you finished, you said, 'Now let's all begin---'  I don't know the rest of it, but those words, 'Let's all begin' inspired me to begin my life over again by returning to God!"

But where are these stories we should be using?  I keep a computer file named "Ideas," that has served me for years.  I sometimes copy an e-mail story into it; other times I jot down a sentence or two.  But the best stories, I think, come from our own personal experiences: the ups and downs and round-abouts of our faith journey, the stages of our relationship with God and with others; examples we remember from books, film, TV programs:  kernels of Truth found in things we read or hear.  Don't worry about whether or not a certain incident happened just exactly as it is recorded, as long as it contains at its center a bit of the Truth. Ask yourself:  "What is the Truth to be found here?"  What, for instance, is the Truth in the story about the vain preacher?

As preachers, as ministers of the liturgy, ours is an awesome privilege and responsibility.  Like the chalice and other altar vessels,  like the bread and wine, we are consecrated for God's special use during a particular liturgy.  With all our hearts we desire to give our best - in preparation and in delivery. We can offer no more;  the Divine Victim deserves no less.