Homilies about selfishness

When is it Okay to Be Cynical? A Homily on Selfishness and Protection

The homily reflects on the Gospel reading where Jesus casts out a demon, and some people react with cynicism. It defines cynicism as believing that selfishness motivates all actions and discusses how Jesus's enemies were cynical towards his acts of kindness. The homily then suggests that a certain degree of cynicism is necessary in today's world for protection against charlatans and swindlers, but warns that excessive cynicism, born from turning away from God, leads to selfishness.

The Prodigal Son: Was His Repentance Real?

The homily re-examines the parable of the Prodigal Son, focusing on the younger son's initial selfishness and lack of genuine repentance, seeing his return primarily motivated by hunger. It challenges listeners to reflect on their own motivations for returning to Christ, distinguishing between self-focused reasons and deeper, more selfless ones, especially during Lent.

The Choice: Trust God or Be a Barren Bush

Father Don

The homily emphasizes the choice between trusting in God or relying solely on oneself, drawing a parallel between a barren bush and a tree planted by water. It then delves into the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, highlighting the rich man's failure to share his blessings and his arrogance even in torment. The core message challenges listeners to open their eyes to those in need and share their abundant gifts, rather than succumbing to selfishness.

Are You a Selfish Tenant or a Generous Neighbor?

The homily contrasts the selfishness of the tenants in the Gospel parable with the generosity shown in a modern-day story of an envelope of money being passed down a grocery line. It emphasizes that Lent is a time to reflect on how we can do more, do better, and help others, rather than focusing solely on our own gain.

Why Lent is About Conversion, Not Just Self-Improvement

The homily reflects on the Gospel reading where the mother of James and John seeks positions of power for her sons, highlighting the apostles' struggles with selfish ambition and spiritual pride. The priest emphasizes that Lent is about deeper conversion, not just self-improvement, and that we are all called to die to self and surrender more deeply to God, acknowledging that this is a lifelong process.

Why Trusting in God, Not Wealth, Leads to Lasting Joy

The homily emphasizes that true trust should be placed in God, not in material possessions or human power, as anything outside of God is temporal. Drawing from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, it calls for compassion and generosity, especially during Lent, urging us not to let our acquisitions create division but to use our gifts for the common good and avoid the sin of selfishness.

The Rich Man and Lazarus: Why Wealth Isn't the Problem

The homily reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that wealth itself is not sinful, but rather how one uses it. The core message is about avoiding selfishness and actively helping others, not just with money but also with time and presence, aligning with the commandments to love God and neighbor.

Fasting from Selfishness: How to Truly Love God and Neighbor

The homily emphasizes that true love for God is inextricably linked to loving one's neighbor, requiring a daily effort to overcome pride and selfishness. It calls for a Lenten fast from self-centeredness, urging reliance on God's grace to cultivate charity and put others first, thereby drawing closer to the Kingdom of God.

Seeing Jesus in the Needy: A Lenten Challenge

The homily reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing the importance of charity and recognizing Jesus in those in need. It challenges listeners to move beyond self-centeredness, share their gifts, and be aware of the neglected, especially during Lent, by offering prayers, time, and resources.

Why Forgiveness is Divine (and So Hard for Us)

This homily emphasizes the divine nature of forgiveness, contrasting it with the human difficulty in truly forgiving and forgetting. It connects this to the Lenten journey of letting go of selfishness and encourages frequent awareness of God's presence throughout the day to live as the body of Christ in the world.

Why You Don't Need a Miracle to Change Your Life

The homily emphasizes that true spiritual discipline, especially during Lent, should stem from love for God, not a desire for recognition or reward. Using the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the priest calls for a transformation of the heart, urging listeners to overcome selfishness and actively care for the needs of others, rather than waiting for extraordinary signs from God.

Why Our Choices, Not the Gospel, Frighten Us: God is in Charge

The homily emphasizes that the Gospel itself is not frightening, but rather our actions and choices that lead us away from God. It stresses the importance of recognizing that "God is in charge" and that prioritizing His will and values, rather than personal desires and selfishness, is essential for avoiding destruction and receiving blessings. The priest connects this message to current global events, suggesting that societal issues arise when Jesus is 'killed' or removed from a central place in institutions and individual lives.

Why Putting Others First is Hard (and Why You Should Do It Anyway)

This homily, delivered to a school audience, challenges listeners to move beyond self-centeredness and embrace a life of service, drawing parallels between everyday chores and the disciples' desire for status. It emphasizes that true greatness, as taught by Jesus, comes from humility and putting others first, rather than seeking personal gain or recognition.

The Cup of Service: What Jesus Asks of Us

The homily reflects on the Gospel reading where the mother of James and John seeks positions of power for her sons. It highlights the human tendency towards selfish desires for status and importance, contrasting it with Jesus' teaching of self-giving service. The homily connects this to the Eucharist, inviting the faithful to embrace a life of service as signified by partaking in the Lord's cup.

Why Selfishness Blocks Us From God's Heart

The homily emphasizes the difference between knowing with the mind (logic, analysis, judgment) and knowing with the heart (feelings, values, spiritual understanding, acceptance, trust). Drawing on the Gospel parable of the wicked tenants and fables like the fox and the crane, the priest argues that selfishness often prevents us from truly understanding and living out Christ's teachings with our hearts, urging self-denial and love for neighbors.

Overcoming Selfishness: Jesus' Call to Serve Others First

The homily addresses the human tendency towards self-centeredness, contrasting it with Jesus' call to selfless service. Drawing from the readings, it highlights how both Jeremiah's persecutors and the disciples' ambition reveal a focus on personal interest over God's will or the suffering of others. The core message is that true greatness in God's kingdom comes from prioritizing the needs of others, even when it requires personal sacrifice.

Why Trusting in Money Leads to Spiritual Blindness

The homily emphasizes that true security and lasting fulfillment come from trusting in God, not in worldly possessions or human efforts. Drawing on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus and the prophet Jeremiah, the priest illustrates how attachment to wealth can lead to spiritual blindness and selfishness, urging listeners to use the Lenten season to detach from material things and cultivate a deeper reliance on God's love.

How Your Choices Today Shape Your Eternal Destiny

The homily reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing how our choices in life shape our eternal destiny. The rich man, even in torment, maintains his self-centered perspective, demonstrating that hell is not a change of character but a fixed state resulting from a lifetime of choices. The priest challenges listeners to consider how their choices are forming them and if they are happy with the person they are becoming.

¿Por qué el hombre rico fue al infierno? La lección de Lázaro

The homily reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that the rich man's sin was not active malice but rather a hardening of his heart and a failure to love and help the poor. This lack of charity towards others, who are made in God's image, ultimately led to a diminished love for God himself and a self-centered existence.

Why Loving God and Neighbor is So Hard (and Why We Must Try Anyway)

The homily reflects on the difficulty of truly living out the greatest commandments: loving God with one's whole being and loving one's neighbor as oneself. The priest shares a personal anecdote about speaking with a bishop from Haiti, highlighting the profound challenges and dangers faced by those trying to preach the Gospel in violent, unstable regions, contrasting it with the relative comfort of their own lives. He emphasizes that despite the difficulty, especially during Lent, we are called to constantly chip away at selfishness and embrace God's love and providence.