The WORD today reminds me that I am not entitled to God’s blessings.
Some children feel that they are entitled to receive from their parents whatever they want, at whatever cost. Some people feel entitled to receive blessings from their family members that are more financially capable than them. Some breadwinners feel that they should always have their way just because they are the ones who contribute the most. Some people feel they should be getting the promotion at work because they are working so hard. Some people think that because they do good and serve God, they are entitled to receive more blessings, that they will receive whatever they ask from God. This is not a good attitude. We should not have this attitude l, especially towards God.
No matter what we do, we are not entitled to God's blessings.
In the gospel we see the people expecting their town-mate Jesus do amazing things and miracles there. They did not ask, they expected. Not because they had faith, but they believed they deserved it since Jesus was from their town. Jesus was one of them. Clearly, Jesus tells us that our relationship or affinity do not entitle us to such things.
We are blessed because of one thing - God's love.
God loves us so much that he blesses us. He protects us. He gives us a lot. We sometimes take these blessings for granted, and we want more. We expect more for whatever reason. We are reminded today not to be like this. We are reminded to be aware and thankful. And these should move us into action - sharing his blessings to others.
Even if we so good and follow him, even if we serve others and obey his commandments, we should not feel entitled to God’s blessings. In another parable, Jesus said that servants who do their master’s wishes should not be rewarded, because they are just doing what they are supposed to do. They should not be praised and be recognized. Just like doing good work in the office, you are paid and expected to do just that. It does not give you the right to expect and demand blessings and favors. God, our creator, master and Father, gave us everything we have. It is just right to give him what we have and to serve him. We should not feel entitled, even if we are living better lives serving him than others.
In what ways do I have a sense of entitlement? Am I expecting to be treated a certain way just because of what I do, give or say? Do I feel I deserve all the blessings i have because of what I do? How can I show God that I am thankful for his blessings? What is God telling me today?
May we remember that no matter what we do, we are not entitled to God's blessings, and we should never act as is we deserve these things. His love is the only reason we have so much. May we realize it and show our gratitude by sharing these things to others.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for the reminder. Thank you for another week to love and serve you. Thank you for the holiday. Lord, sorry for the times I feel entitled to your blessings. Sorry for the times I act entitled, that I deserve these things. Lord, I do not. I know it is only because of your love that I have these things. Help me always be aware, and show you my gratitude by loving others and by generously sharing to others what You gave me. May I give all I can for you, happily and not expecting anything in return, but full of gratitude for everything you have been giving me. All these I ask in your mighty name, Amen.
Blessed Week!
In Christ,
-g-
August 31, 2020
Monday of Week 22; St. Aidan of Lindisfarne
FIRST READING
When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of spirit and power, so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. (97) Lord, I love your commands.
How I love your law, O LORD! It is my meditation all the day.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
Your command has made me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
I have more understanding than all my teachers when your decrees are my meditation.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
I have more discernment than the elders, because I observe your precepts.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
From every evil way I withhold my feet, that I may keep your words.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
From your ordinances I turn not away, for you have instructed me.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
How I love your law, O LORD! It is my meditation all the day.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
Your command has made me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
I have more understanding than all my teachers when your decrees are my meditation.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
I have more discernment than the elders, because I observe your precepts.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
From every evil way I withhold my feet, that I may keep your words.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
From your ordinances I turn not away, for you have instructed me.
R. Lord, I love your commands.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the sabbath day. He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him. He said to them, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” And all spoke highly of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They also asked, “Is this not the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.
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