In today’s competitive world, ambition is often celebrated as a key ingredient for success. Professionals are encouraged to set goals, climb corporate ladders, and achieve excellence. Yet for Catholic professionals, ambition invites deeper reflection: Is all ambition good? How do we distinguish between healthy and disordered ambition in light of our Christian faith?
Ambition, rightly understood, is not inherently opposed to Christian living. In fact, striving for excellence, developing talents, and taking on leadership roles can be noble pursuits. Scripture reminds us that we are called to be stewards of the gifts God has given us (cf. 1 Peter 4:10). St. Paul himself urges believers to "run so as to win" (1 Corinthians 9:24), encouraging a vigorous pursuit of virtue and mission.
Healthy ambition, then, is grounded in a desire to serve others, glorify God, and fully realize one’s potential for the good of the world. It seeks success not for personal glory but as a means of offering back to God the fruits of one’s labor. A Catholic professional animated by healthy ambition understands that true greatness lies in service, humility, and faithfulness to one’s vocation.
Disordered ambition, however, distorts these aims. It turns inward, seeking status, power, or wealth as ends in themselves. Instead of viewing work as a gift and a mission, disordered ambition treats it as a stage for self-promotion. It risks making an idol of career success, subtly placing professional achievements above God, family, and integrity.
Jesus warns against such distortions: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). Catholic professionals are called to remain vigilant, regularly examining their motivations. Are career goals pursued in the spirit of service and stewardship—or are they fueled by vanity, insecurity, or the need for control?
The wisdom of the saints provides helpful guidance. St. Josemaría Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei and a great advocate of sanctifying professional work, taught that ambition is praiseworthy when it aims at holiness and helping others. He emphasized that ordinary work, done with extraordinary love and attention to God’s will, can be a powerful force for sanctity.
Practical steps for nurturing healthy ambition include cultivating a regular prayer life, seeking spiritual direction, and maintaining a strong sacramental life. Staying connected to community, embracing accountability, and prioritizing time for family and rest are also essential. These practices help professionals remain grounded, ensuring that ambition serves a higher purpose rather than becoming an end in itself.
Ultimately, Catholic professionals are called to see their careers as part of a broader vocation to holiness. Success in the professional realm should never come at the expense of virtue or vocation but should serve to build up the Kingdom of God. When ambition is purified by faith, it becomes a powerful tool for personal growth, service to others, and the greater glory of God.
In the end, ambition finds its fullest meaning not in worldly achievements, but in hearing the words of the Divine Master: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).
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