Possible Preaching Themes
Possible Scientific Resources
- The disciples become indignant at James and John for asking Jesus for a place of honor. Jesus challenges this emotional response of the disciples by teaching them that they are called to serve. Jesus uses the indignation of the disciples as a moment to refocus their understanding of what it means to be his follower.
- As the great high priest, Jesus serves as mediator between God and humanity. Even as sympathizes with human weaknesses, he still Jesus calls people to follow him and to share in his mission. The psalmist reminds that God “loves justice and right;” so, part of our mission as disciples is to work together for the building of God’s kingdom on earth.
- Jesus comes to “give his life as a ransom for many.” As Jesus teaches the disciples the value of selflessness, he calls them to model their own life after his. It is out of love that Jesus is willing to give up his life for the salvation of the world.
- Choosing compassion over anger
- https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/podcasts/item/dont_be_afraid_of_your_anger_soraya_chemaly_fierce_self_compassion
- Anger is an emotional response toward someone or something perceived to have done you wrong
- Anger can provoke an unhealthy, destructive response especially when suppressed
- A healthy response to anger requires honesty and self-compassion
- There are good reasons to get angry https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/value-of-anger-16-reasons-its-good-to-get-angry-0313175
- Collaboration is needed for the good of community
- https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/the-science-behind-the-growing-importance-of-collaboration
- Collaboration is an important value to the business community, but one that has wide reaching value
- “Working with people who have different perspectives or areas of expertise can result in better ideas and outcomes.”
- There are examples of mutualism in nature that can inspire us (https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/mutualism-examples-of-species-that-work-together.html)
- The science of altruism
- This article introduces the Psychology, Anthropology, and Neurobiology of Altruism https://www.berkeleywellbeing.com/altruism.html
- Altruism is about more than “just being good”
- Altruism is a selflessness that has no other motive than just a desire to help someone else
- The is clear psychological evidence about the ability to foster altruism https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/psychology-altruism
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
- The last few years have poignantly reminded the global community that it appears we are never free of challenges
- 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
Related Homily Outlines
Good Friday
Good FridayBY MATTHEW O’DONNELL, March 29, 2024 Lectionary 40: Isa 52:13-53:12 [An account of the servant’s suffering] Ps 32:2, 6, 12-13, 15-16, 17,...
23nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Matthew S. O’Donnell, Sep, 8 2024 Lectionary 128: Isa 35:4-7a (Isaiah prophesies about the transformative action of God) Ps 146:7, 8-9, 9-10 (Praise...
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Matthew S. O’Donnell, Oct, 20 2024 Lectionary 146: Isa 53:10-11 [Through his suffering, the servant of the Lord will justify many] Ps 33:4-5, 18-19,...
Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A
Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year ABY MATTHEW O’DONNELL, March 26, 2023 Lectionary 34 Ezek 37:12-14 (The Lord promises to raise the dead back to life and...
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year ABY MATTHEW O’DONNELL, February 05, 2023 Lectionary Isa 58:7-10 [Acting justly brings light in darkness] Ps...
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year CBY MATTHEW O’DONNELL, July 03, 2022 Lectionary 102: Isa 66:10-14c [We can rejoice in experiencing God’s care] Ps...
Couldn’t find what you’re looking for?
Try searching with another filter
Preaching with Sciences
Edward Foley, Capuchin
Duns Scotus Professor Emeritus of Spirituality
Professor of Liturgy and Music (retired)
Catholic Theological Union
Vice-Postulator, Cause of Blessed Solanus
