Cathedral Homilies - September 30 (Fr. Joel)

Summary

In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the struggles of teaching and guiding others, drawing parallels between parents' frustration with their children and Jesus' disappointment with His disciples. Despite Jesus’ teachings on service and humility, the disciples quarreled over status and power, even at the Last Supper. The message emphasizes the harmful effects of pride, jealousy, and envy, which are common in families, workplaces, and society. Jesus' teaching encourages us to embrace cooperation, appreciation, and shared joy, leading to a richer and more harmonious life.

Takeaways

• 🙏 Jesus emphasizes the importance of mutual service and caring, using the washing of feet as a clear example.
• 📖 St. Jerome was responsible for translating the Scriptures into Latin (the Vulgate), with the famous saying: 'Ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.'
• 😔 Parents often feel saddened when their children fail to practice the good behavior they’ve been taught.
• 🤔 Despite being with Jesus for years, His disciples still quarreled about who was the greatest among them.
• 💬 Pride, jealousy, and envy are deeply ingrained in human nature and exist in many areas, such as family, school, and politics.
• 👥 Instead of treating others as colleagues or fellow human beings, many see others as competitors or enemies.
• 🫂 Jesus encourages collaboration and appreciation among people, opposing pride and jealousy.
• 🔄 Shared joy is double joy, fostering a mentality of caring for one another.
• 🙌 Jesus’ disciples, even at the Last Supper, quarreled about places of honor, showing the struggle to overcome pride.
• 💡 Cain’s murder of Abel is highlighted as an example of how jealousy leads to harm and unhappiness.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the homily?

The homily focuses on the issues of pride, jealousy, and envy, and how these negative emotions affect individuals and communities. It emphasizes the need for collaboration and appreciation among people, as taught by Jesus.

Who is St. Jerome, and why is he significant?

St. Jerome was a priest and doctor of the church, known for translating the sacred scriptures from Hebrew and Greek into Latin. He is also famous for saying, 'Ignorance of scriptures is ignorance of Christ.'

What is the Vulgate, and how is it related to St. Jerome?

The Vulgate is the Latin translation of the Bible, which was translated by St. Jerome. It played a crucial role in making the scriptures accessible to the Western Christian world.

What concern does the priest raise regarding parents and their children?

The priest acknowledges that some parents feel sad when their children fail to practice the good behavior they have been taught, despite their best efforts.

How does the priest relate the Gospel reading to Jesus’ experience with his disciples?

The priest reflects on how Jesus, after living and training his disciples for years, was disappointed to find them quarreling over who would be the greatest and showing jealousy toward others who were doing good.

What negative traits does the priest highlight as still being present in society?

The priest highlights pride, jealousy, and envy as deeply ingrained issues that continue to affect families, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and even politics.

What biblical example does the priest use to demonstrate the consequences of jealousy?

The priest refers to the story of Cain and Abel, where Cain murdered his brother Abel out of jealousy, showing how envy can lead to harmful actions.

What does the priest say about Jesus' stance on pride and jealousy?

The priest explains that Jesus opposes pride and jealousy and instead teaches that people are children of God who should collaborate with and appreciate one another, rather than eliminating or despising others.

How does the priest suggest we can achieve a better life?

The priest suggests that by having a mentality of shared joy, mutual care, and collaboration with others, our lives will be better, richer, and smoother.

What lesson does the priest want the congregation to take from the homily?

The priest encourages the congregation to overcome pride and jealousy, to see others as colleagues and fellow human beings, and to work together in mutual appreciation for a more harmonious life.