"Ordinary Great Things" | 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Fr. Mike's Homily) #sundayhomily

Summary

The script explores the concept of ambition, distinguishing between positive ambition and negative selfish ambition. It emphasizes that while ambition to achieve greatness is commendable, selfish ambition, characterized by self-protection and preoccupation, can be detrimental. The speaker illustrates this through historical figures like St. Francis of Assisi and St. Katherine Drexel, who achieved greatness through selfless ambition, and encourages embracing ordinary greatness in daily life.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Ambition is the driving force behind many significant inventions, discoveries, and achievements, such as the iPhone, the discovery of the Americas, indoor plumbing, and the Transcontinental Railroad.
• 🚀 True ambition is not inherently negative; it's about the desire to do great things and make a positive impact.
• ⚠️ The danger lies in 'selfish ambition', which is characterized by self-protection and self-preoccupation, rather than ambition itself.
• 🤔 Selfish ambition can lead to a fear of revealing ignorance or true interests, which can hinder personal growth and authentic relationships.
• 💔 The pursuit of admiration over love can result in a life focused on image management and self-protective behaviors.
• 🤝 To truly love and be loved, one must be willing to reveal their true selves, including their flaws and vulnerabilities.
• 🧐 Self-consciousness and self-preoccupation are linked to increased unhappiness and can be a form of neurotic behavior.
• 💡 The desire to be great and do great things should be a normal aspiration for Christians, but it should be pursued without selfishness.
• 🌈 CS Lewis suggests that true humility allows one to rejoice in their own accomplishments as much as in others', without bias.
• 💖 Ordinary great things, like loving those around us, can累积ulate to an extraordinary life of impact.
• 🌱 Cultivating a spirit of ambition, devoid of selfishness, allows one to achieve greatness and perform acts that positively influence the world.

Q & A

What commonality does the speaker find among the iPhone, car, discovery of North and South America, indoor plumbing, and the Transcontinental Railroad?

All these things were established, invented, discovered, or built by someone with ambition.

What does the speaker consider as the key difference between ambition and selfish ambition?

The key difference is that ambition can be good, driven by a desire to do great things, whereas selfish ambition is driven by self-advancement and self-protection, which is not good for us.

According to the speaker, what is the danger of selfish ambition?

The danger of selfish ambition is that it leads to self-protection and self-preoccupation, which can ruin a life and result in unhappiness.

What is the significance of the Gospels' account of the apostles arguing about who is the greatest, as mentioned in the script?

It illustrates the difference between striving for excellence and being driven by selfish ambition, and how even the apostles were not immune to the temptation of seeking greatness in a selfish manner.

Why does the speaker mention 'impostor syndrome' in the context of ambition?

The speaker uses 'impostor syndrome' to describe the fear of revealing one's ignorance or inadequacy, which can stem from being driven by selfish ambition and the need for self-protection.

What is the main difference between being admired and being loved, as discussed in the script?

Being admired involves positive thoughts from a distance, focusing on the outside or the idea of a person, whereas being loved requires closeness and acceptance of someone's flaws and inner self.

How does the speaker relate the concept of ambition to the lives of saints like St. Francis of Assisi?

The speaker uses St. Francis of Assisi as an example of someone with ambition who did great things, not for personal gain, but to live a life of service and devotion to others.

What is an 'ordinary great thing' according to the speaker?

An 'ordinary great thing' refers to the everyday acts of kindness and love that may not be grand or widely recognized but contribute to an ordinary yet great life.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of being free from self-protection, self-preoccupation, and selfish ambition?

The speaker emphasizes this because only when one is free from these constraints can they truly be great, do great things, and live a life marked by ordinary greatness.

What lesson does the speaker draw from C.S. Lewis's description of humility in 'The Screwtape Letters'?

The lesson is that true humility allows one to take joy in their own accomplishments without being more or less glad than if someone else had done it, recognizing that all talents and creations are part of a greater good.