Homilies about ambition

The Danger of Ambition: What Jesus Really Asks of Us

The homily explores the disciples' and their mother's ambition for power in Jesus's kingdom, contrasting it with Jesus's true purpose of suffering and service. It highlights how the disciples misunderstood Jesus's impending sacrifice, viewing his coming as a political overthrow rather than a spiritual one, and emphasizes that true greatness in Christ's kingdom comes from serving others, not from seeking dominance.

True Greatness: Not Ambition, But Service at the Foot of the Cross

The homily reflects on the Gospel passage where James and John's mother asks for seats of honor for her sons, and the other disciples become indignant. The priest explains that the disciples' indignation reveals their own desire for earthly power and ambition, mirroring our own tendencies to seek recognition. He emphasizes that true greatness, as redefined by Jesus, is found not in ambition or promotion, but in humble service and a posture of being a slave, ultimately leading to the foot of the cross.

Are You Drinking from a Poisoned Well? (Third Sunday of Lent)

Father Peter

The homily challenges listeners to examine the 'wells' from which they drink, asking what truly satiates their spiritual thirst. Drawing on the Gospel story of the Samaritan woman and an anecdote from St. Augustine's Confessions, the priest emphasizes that worldly ambitions and superficial desires ultimately leave us parched, while only Christ offers living water that leads to eternal life.

The Cup of Sacrificial Love: What True Discipleship Demands

The homily reflects on the Gospel passage where the mother of James and John seeks positions of honor for her sons, immediately after Jesus speaks of his impending suffering and death. The priest highlights the disciples' and our own tendency to prioritize ambition and status over sacrificial love and service, urging listeners to embrace the 'cup of sacrificial love' as true discipleship.

Is Your Ambition Holy? A Lenten Reflection on Service

Father Jim

The homily reflects on the nature of ambition, distinguishing between self-serving ambition and a 'holy ambition' that seeks to uplift others. Drawing from a personal anecdote about a childhood report card and the Gospel reading, the priest challenges listeners to use their God-given talents for the good of their community, mirroring Jesus's self-sacrificial service.

Lent: Are Your Ambitions Healthy?

The homily emphasizes that true discipleship involves a different set of values than the world, focusing on service and humility rather than ambition and self-interest. It uses the Lenten season as a call to self-reflection, urging listeners to examine their ambitions and be willing to embrace the daily cross, just as Jesus and Jeremiah did.

The Path to True Greatness: Serving, Not Seeking Power

The homily explores human ambition, drawing parallels between Jeremiah's adversaries and the disciples' desire for power and honor. It emphasizes Jesus' teaching on servant leadership, where true greatness and being first in the Kingdom of God come from serving others and giving one's life, rather than seeking worldly power and honor as substitutes for God.

Overcoming Unhealthy Ambition and Jealousy During Lent

The homily reflects on the sins of unhealthy ambition and jealousy, as exemplified by the mother of James and John in the Gospel. It emphasizes that our human nature is wounded and we need God's power, faith, and trust to overcome these challenges, especially during the Lenten season, by relying on God's will rather than our own.

True Greatness: Serving Others with Humility

The homily discusses the Gospel reading where the mother of James and John asks Jesus for her sons to sit at his right and left in the kingdom. The priest engages the congregation, especially children, to explore why the other disciples were angry and what Jesus' teaching on greatness and service means. He emphasizes that true greatness comes from humility and serving others, rather than seeking positions of power.

Why Our Ambition Should Lead to Service, Not Selfishness

The homily explores the human desire for ambition, linking it to our creation in God's image and our calling to a higher life. It cautions against ambition that seeks to destroy others, emphasizing that true advancement in God's kingdom comes through service, mirroring Christ's example.

Lenten Reflection: Are You Seeking Power or Service?

The homily reflects on the Gospel reading where the sons of Zebedee seek positions of power, contrasting it with Jesus's teaching of service. It emphasizes that Christian love is about willing the good of another, not self-seeking ambition, and that we are all on a journey of continuous improvement in living out Christ's love through action.