The gospel today encourages us to check our motives for doing good. Jesus tells us that our actions for God should be more than the superficial level. More important than our actions is our intention behind them.
Jesus says you cannot readily tell the intention based on the action. Sometimes, there’s a tendency to do things not for God, but for the praise and approval of other people. People giving alms, helping the less fortunate ones with the intention of being recognized and branded as someone for the poor is not serving God in others, but himself. Praying and fasting to be seen, complimented and recognized as prayerful, righteous people are not praising God by their act, but merely building up themselves.
The first reading tells us an inspiring story. Elijah, one of the greatest prophets, was mysteriously taken up by a flaming chariot and flaming horses. Truly a testament of how pleased God was with his service. Yes, Elijah did many things (See footnotes), great things, but the intention was to praise and glorify God and never himself. We also see Elisha, asking for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit rather than any other power or thing, and as a sign of God’s approval, Elisha was able to do great things as well.
How about us? What are our intentions? When serving God through others – the poor, his church, our friends – what are our intentions? Do we seek to praise and glorify Him, or are there hidden personal desires in our actions? Do we want to be praised and recognized as we serve? Will we still serve even if we are not recognized and thanked for our actions? Will we still serve even if no one sees our actions? Will we still serve even if we are criticized for it?
May we always remember to probe our hearts for our intentions as we serve, and may we serve for the audience of one – God.
Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank you for reminding me today to check my intentions. Lord, I know it is not easy to serve you, and human as I am, I sometimes seek personal affirmation or recognition on my service. Father God, I pray that you always remind me that the most important affirmation is not from other people, but from you, Lord. Help me clean my intentions and always focus on you as I serve, having faith that when the time comes, you will recognize the service I am giving to you. Amen.
Blessed day!
In Christ,
-g-
PS
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