Homily outline combining resources: A call to serve

• A world filled with challenges.
  • The last few years have poignantly reminded the global community that it appears we are never free of challenges
    • COVID-19
    • Military conflict between Ukraine and Russia
    • Global hunger crisis (https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/the-hunger-crisis/world-hunger-facts/)
  • As a human family, we are challenged to find new ways to confront global challenges
  • Individually it may feel that there is little we can do; together, though, we have the potential to bring about meaningful change in our world
  • Collaboration around common initiatives or projects is important
  • Cultivating a life of altruism is key to responding to the challenges the human family faces

• Life is about more than just me
  • Ten of the disciples become indignant at James and John for wanting a place of honor with Jesus
  • Jesus boldly teaches that “whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
    whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44)
  • Jesus redefines greatness by linking it to a life of selflessness and service
  • Jesus is calling us to more than just kindness, more than just “being good”—Jesus is calling us to an altruistic way of life
  • Altruism is rooted in selflessness for the sake of others
  • The science of altruism informs how we might become more selfless in our actions (Altruism)
    • Psychology: empathy for those who suffer
    • Anthropology: care for the common good
    • Neurobiology: can recognize fear in and danger for others
  • The opposites of altruism include: selfishness, greed, narcissism
    • Jesus challenges values, choices, and ways of life such as these
  • It takes awareness and commitment to grow in altruism
  • It takes awareness and commitment to grow as a disciple of Jesus

• Compassion in action
  • Jesus is the high priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15)
  • Jesus understands the sufferings of those he encounters and responds with compassion
  • The feeling of compassion that Jesus so often experiences is turned into action (altruism)
  • As we confront our weaknesses we can
    • Choose to focus solely on ourselves and our own desires
    • Choose to acknowledge the suffering and pain of others
  • Compassion moves something within us to want to relieve other’s suffering
  • Growing in altruism moves us to action
  • Deeping our love for and relationship with God helps us come to know
    • a God who cares for us
    • a God who died so that we might have life
    • a God who calls us to action
• A call to serve like Jesus
  • Hebrews 33:5—God loves justice and right
  • As Jesus engaged in his earthly ministry he sought to make known the kingdom of God on earth
  • Jesus sought to restore relationships
    • between God and people
    • within communities
  • Jesus’ personal experience of suffering, and anticipation of his passion and death, moved him to act with compassion
  • Jesus gained nothing by his own suffering; we, however, gain the promise of eternal life
  • Jesus calls his disciples to greatness but redefines their expectations of this
  • Greatness comes not from wealth, power, prestige, honor, or fame
  • Greatness comes from a life of selflessness and service
  • In a world filled with so many challenges, we are called to serve like Jesus
    • Selflessly
    • Lovingly
    • With no motive for personal gain; rather genuine care for all God’s creation