Cathedral Homilies - September 22 (Fr. Viel)

Summary

In this homily, the speaker shares a personal story of learning to drive, drawing parallels to life's journey. They emphasize the importance of patience, practice, and perseverance in achieving greatness. The message highlights the role of guidance from others and the significance of facing challenges and sorrows. It concludes with the assurance that greatness is a process nurtured by God's continuous support and love.

Takeaways

• 🚗 The joy of learning to drive and the excitement of new experiences.
• 👴 The importance of learning from elders and the value of their guidance.
• 📚 The need for patience and gradual learning, not jumping to advanced stages too quickly.
• 👨‍🏫 The role of instructors in providing direction and correcting mistakes.
• 🙏 The spiritual aspect of greatness, involving humility and facing challenges.
• 🗣️ The significance of facing criticism and adversity as part of the path to greatness.
• 🌳 The metaphor of the fruit of wisdom, including purity, peace, gentleness, and mercy.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The responsibility to guide and encourage others on their path to greatness.
• 📖 The teachings from the letter of St. James on imparting wisdom.
• 🙌 The reassurance of God's support and guidance in our pursuit of greatness.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the homily?

The main theme of the homily is the journey towards greatness, which involves patience, practice, perseverance, and learning from experiences and guidance.

What personal story does the speaker share to illustrate the concept of learning?

The speaker shares a story about learning to drive, emphasizing the importance of following instructions step by step and the challenges faced when trying to learn too quickly.

How does the speaker describe the feeling of driving a car for the first time?

The speaker describes the feeling as exciting and joyous, comparing it to the joy of being able to move the car from the parking spot to a distance away.

What does the speaker say about the process of learning to drive?

The speaker mentions that learning to drive involves taking instructions from the instructor, such as gear shifting, slowing down, and turning, and acknowledges the importance of following these instructions.

What lesson does the speaker draw from their driving school experience?

The speaker learns that to become great at something, one must take things step by step, rather than trying to jump ahead or ignore instructions.

How does the speaker relate the concept of greatness to the teachings of Jesus?

The speaker relates greatness to the teachings of Jesus by emphasizing that greatness is not about being applauded or congratulated, but sometimes involves facing challenges, criticism, and even death, as Jesus did.

What does the speaker say about the role of others in our journey towards greatness?

The speaker suggests that others play a crucial role in our journey towards greatness by correcting us, guiding us, and sometimes even speaking harsh words that we may dislike.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'the path to greatness is also sharing fruits of wisdom'?

The speaker means that being great involves not only personal growth but also imparting wisdom and positive attributes such as purity, peace, gentleness, and mercy to others.

How does the speaker connect the idea of greatness with the teachings from the letter of St. James?

The speaker connects greatness with the teachings from the letter of St. James by stating that every fruit of wisdom, such as purity, peace, and gentleness, contributes to greatness.

What does the speaker suggest as a way to encourage others on their path to greatness?

The speaker suggests that to encourage others, one should share God's wisdom and provide positive reinforcement, rather than just focusing on their shortcomings.

How does the speaker conclude the homily?

The speaker concludes by emphasizing that greatness is not an overnight achievement but requires patience and perseverance, and that God's guidance and support are essential in this journey.