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-
Tuesday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 492
Beloved:
You must say what is consistent with sound doctrine,
namely, that older men should be temperate, dignified,
self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance.
Similarly, older women should be reverent in their behavior,
not slanderers, not addicted to drink,
teaching what is good, so that they may train younger women
to love their husbands and children,
to be self-controlled, chaste, good homemakers,
under the control of their husbands,
so that the word of God may not be discredited.
Urge the younger men, similarly, to control themselves,
showing yourself as a model of good deeds in every respect,
with integrity in your teaching, dignity, and sound speech
that cannot be criticized,
so that the opponent will be put to shame
without anything bad to say about us.
For the grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of the great God
and of our savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,
eager to do what is good.
R. (39a) The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Trust in the LORD and do good,
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will grant you your heart’s requests.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
The LORD watches over the lives of the wholehearted;
their inheritance lasts forever.
By the LORD are the steps of a man made firm,
and he approves his way.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
The just shall possess the land
and dwell in it forever.
R. The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.
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.
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.’”
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