The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/111015.cfm) reminds me that we should not feel entitled when we do as God expects.
They say that younger people nowadays have a deep sense of entitlement. They do not want to work for things, and they feel that they deserve good things. They feel they need to be rewarded for what they do. This is true actually for a lot of people, especially with our faith. When we pray, when we do good, when we live right, we sometimes feel that God should reward us, that we deserve good things in life, that God should give us our desires. This is something we need to take out.
We should not feel entitled to God’s blessings just because we do his work.
In the gospel, Jesus reminds us that servants should not expect thanks or acknowledgement from their masters for doing their work. They don’t get rewarded for doing their work. They work because they are supposed to work. This is how we should live our faith. When we do good, when we follow God’s commandments, when we do what he wants us to do, when we treat others right, we should not expect greater blessings. When we do God’s work, we should not compare ourselves with evil men and think that just as they get good things in life, much more should we get them as we do God’s work.
God’s ways are different from the world. The devil, the ruler of the world, rewards his followers – the evil people in this world, with things of this world. money, fame, power. but all these are good only for this world. God is different. He rewards his faithful servants with greater things – things not of this world. He will reward us not with temporary, material things, but with eternal heavenly things.
We owe everything to God. He gave us all that we have. We cannot claim that we worked hard for what we have. We may have worked hard, we may have did our part, but it was God’s goodness and greatness that helped us get through. And when we give of ourselves to others, when we do good, when we live right, it should be our way of thanking good for everything. We should not feel entitled to certain things just because of these things.
God is God, and we are his creations. First reading says God formed us in his image, in his own nature. As God’s creations, we should remember that we are his servants, and we should do as he pleases. He may not be a demanding God, but he deserves every good we can give him through others. He may be a generous God, giving us more than we deserve, and blessing us even if we do not ask for it, but we should not let these things get in our head and forget who we are and who he is.
May we always remember who God is, and be moved to serve him through others as our way of thanking and loving him – without expecting anything in return.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to love and serve you. thank you for all the blessings. Lord, I thank you for your goodness – that you continue to bless me even without me asking. Thank you for not waiting on me to pray for help, for blessings, and for protection. I am sorry for not being aware of your goodness and presence in my life. Sorry for taking your blessings for granted. Sorry for the times I feel entitled to blessings that I want, just because I am doing your work and being good to others. Help me rid myself of these thoughts and attitude. Help me focus on you. help me be aware of your presence, of your blessings, of your love in my life. And may this lead me to love and serve you through others, without expecting anything in return. Amen.
Blessed day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflections:
November 10, 2015
Reading 1 Wis 2:23–3:9
God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made them.
But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world,
and they who are in his possession experience it.
But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.
the image of his own nature he made them.
But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world,
and they who are in his possession experience it.
But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.
Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19
R. (2a) I will bless the Lord at all times.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
R. I will bless the Lord at all times.
Alleluia Jn 14:23
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Lk 17:7-10
Jesus said to the Apostles:
“Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’?
Would he not rather say to him,
‘Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished’?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
‘We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.’”
“Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’?
Would he not rather say to him,
‘Prepare something for me to eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished’?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
‘We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to do.’”
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