by Humbert of Romans
Among the conditions favorable for preaching well, freedom from all other occupations must take first place. That is why the Apostles assigned the care of the table to the deacons, in order that they could devote themselves more freely to preaching, saying:
“It is not desirable that we should forsake the word of God and serve at tables” (Acts 6:2).
Our Lord said to a disciple who asked permission to go to bury his father:
“Leave the dead to bury their own dead: but do thou go and proclaim the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60).
St. Paul, for the same reason, stopped administering baptism, saying:
“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (I Cor. 1:17).
When such holy men believe it their duty to give up these pious works to be more free to devote themselves to preaching, who much more willingly ought the preacher to put aside all other work so that he may be free from all distractions and have the liberty to serve the true sons of Abraham according to the spirit.
This is a section of the book “On The Formation of Preachers” by Humbert of Romans. You can get a copy formatted as an easy to read, print, and study PDF by clicking the button below.
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