Phil 2:1-4
Lk 14:12-14
How much of what we do, do we expect repayment for? If not explicitly than at least implicitly? I’m not impugning any one’s integrity, or doubting that what we do may be for purely altruistic reasons, but how often do we at least think we’ll be repaid? It scares me to think about how many times it ran through my mind that I might be doing a good deed hoping that it would come back to me, that it would be to my credit. We seem to act like we believe in karma, even though that is surely not a part of our belief system. In the Gospel reading Jesus is asking us to act without expecting anything in return. Do good for those who cannot possibly repay you. Even then it seems to be a Catch-22, we try to do good, not explicitly looking for a reward, but in the back of our minds the idea of repayment in some form exists. Now, this isn’t all bad, it does serve to motivate good behavior, sort of like tax breaks for charitable donations. Jesus isn’t asking us to do the impossible, to completely ignore the possibility our good works may work for us. What we need to question is our primary motivation for the things we do. Do we act solely in expectation of reward? Or, is the possibility of reward only a dim idea floating in the back of our minds? Maybe that is where Jesus wants us, acting for the good, helping others, and as a by-product, helping ourselves.
Deacon John
Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time
Nov. 6, 2006
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2 comments:
This fit right with something I was discussing in Spiritual Direction today. More to think about, hmmmmm...
Maggie
I'm guilty Deacon cause in the back of my mind I always know that I'll be receiving some kind of reward. In fairness to myself I must add that I'm giving my Lord Jesus for Eternity to pay UP.(lol)
No matter how much I do or don't do on this earth, I know that our Heavenly Father will always Love US whether US stands for Usual Sinners or not.
I know that if I come short of what God expects of me, The Saints and Angels just to name a few will say something like, Hey victor take this cause I really don't need it UP Here in Heaven because We are all equals. It's just a little something that I had saved UP during my last trip visiting some of God's Children.
Keep UP the good work and give yourself a pat on the back now and then cause all children need IT once in awhile.
Please keep me in your prayers also.
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