An Introduction to the Homily is not another "how to" book but a work that leads to a practical understanding of what the homily is and what it is supposed to do. Its purpose is to demonstrate how new homiletic scholarship from the various Christian churches, the insights found in normative church documents, contemporary theological, liturgical, and biblical studies, plus the lived experiences of preachers and people can help us understand the function of the homily in the liturgical tradition of the Roman Catholic Church. It is an indispensable source book for preachers and liturgical leaders who seek a firm foundation in liturgical preaching.