The
WORD today reminds me that we
should not feel entitled when we do what God expects from us.
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 should not
think.
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 gratitude 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 done 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 God for everything. We should not
feel entitled to certain things just because of these things.
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.
Am I serving God? In what ways
do I serve God? Do I expect more blessings as I serve God? Do I feel entitled
to God's blessings? Should my perspective change?
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-
November 12 2019
«
Memorial
of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr
Lectionary: 492
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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