Homily Outline Combining Resources

Homily outline combining insights about humility and nurturing mothers

• Is humility un-American?
  • There is much evidence that we folks from the U.S. perceive ourselves positively
  • A recent studyindicated that we describe ourselves as friendly, thoughtful and careful.  It also indicated that we feel confident in many aspects of our lives
  • It is also true that we are sometimes perceived by others – employing the language from the 1958 literary blockbuster of the same name – as “ugly Americans”
  • The impression of our arrogance is often projected by our citizens traveling abroadwho do not take time to learn about the culture and customs of others
  • Living in France decades ago I heard a compatriot complain about all the “foreigners” in Paris (i.e., Parisians)
  • This is also a problem with U.S. companies marketing abroad
    • A classic example is American Motors releasing their “the Matador” car in Puerto Rico; meant to conjure strength and courage, in Spanish “matador” means “killer” – not appealing to most drivers
  • More broadly, some argue that the decline in our international prestige is linked to our lack of national humility
    • g., politicians and officials often boast about our health care
    • A recent reportof other high-income countries ranked the U.S. last in that category
  • Closer to home, some suggestthat a lack of humility is at the root of our national polarization and deteriorating civic discourse

• Humility is good for business
  • There exist innumerable personal storiesand well-founded research establishing that humility in corporate leadership
    • Increases levels of job satisfaction
    • Increases work engagement
    • Reduces emotional exhaustion
  • Humble leadership was the strongest predictor of
    • Employee satisfaction
    • Improved performance of individuals and teams
  • Not surprising humble leadership helps build relationships
    • Makes you approachable
    • Instills a sense of mission
    • Instigates empathy

• Nurturing relationality
  • One of nature’s great models of fostering relationality is cited by St. Paul today: a nursing mother
  • Multiple studies reveal that material nursing is so much more than feeding
  • Breastmilk, with its antibodies, anti-viruses, anti-allergies and anti-parasites
    • Builds a child’s immune system
    • Prevents diseases and infections
  • But beyond the physiological, breastfeeding is a bonding ritual that anchors a child
    • Leading to better emotional development and stability
    • Protects against mental health problems and addictions
    • Contributes to higher intelligence and emotional security

• Jesus’ relational genius
  • Jesus was neither a corporate executive nor a nursing mother
  • Yet he demonstrated key understandings of both that he continuously enacted
    • Resonant with humble leadership
    • And relational parenting
  • Today’s gospel could be minimalized to an appropriate chastising of clergy
  • But doing so bypasses Jesus’ own personal and leadership integrity
    • In his attitudes and actions
    • His integrity was a fundamental trait of his human manifestation
  • Consider his instinctive ability to lead by word and deed
    • Calling disciples friends not servants
    • Demonstrating empathyto marginalized and outcasts
    • Humbling himself unto deathas a common criminal
  • Jesus was not an unassured or shy leader
    • Rather he exhibited what could be considered “confident humility”
    • Even when facing execution as a criminal of the state, proclaiming to Pilate “what you say is true”
  • He is our model as individuals, as local communities, and as a church

• Catholic humility
  • In our lesser moments, our faith community has not exercised a humility that nurtures
  • Vatican IIset a new standard of respect and care for people of other faith traditions
    • Especially of our two great monotheistic siblings
    • Judaism and Islam
  • This graciousness mirrors Jesus’ own nurturing generosity
    • To Samaritans
    • Syrophoenician women
    • And others outside his usual circle of followers
  • Pope Francisreminds us that “for leadership there is only one road: service …. If you are not a servant, your leadership will fail.”

• An American Tale
  • The renowned Black intellectual Booker T. Washington was stopped by a wealthy white woman as he walked by, and asked if he could chop some wood for her.  He smiled, rolled up his sleeves, chopped and stacked the wood.  A little girl recognized him and revealed his identity.  When the embarrassed woman apologized he said there was no need: “It is always a delight to do something for a friend.”
  • Jesus calls us to that same delight.