I should mention the homily I heard this weekend, delivered, as usual, in measured, deliberate, confident tones. He covered:
1) The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Battle of Lepanto
2) The importance of praying the rosary today, as an armament in the battles we face – he did actually mention “Militant Islam” but he actually emphasized abortion, more, which led to
3) Respect Life Sunday
4) He then took the second half (um…about 3 or 4 minutes)  of the homily to address the gospel. If the apostles, who were on daily, intimate terms with Jesus, were not afraid to ask him to increase their faith, if they were not afraid to come to him with their questions, admitting their weakness, neither should we be afraid to be totally open with Christ about our own weaknesses and questions and trust in what He tells us.
Done.
And don’t get the impression it’s recited like a laundry list either. It’s seamless, clearly thought through with appropriate transitions and offered with great sincerity and compassion.
Homilists take note: preparation – real preparation – pays. If anything, people don’t walk out wondering, “And the point of that was…..???”