We Cannot Rest On Our Laurels
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.'” (Lk 17:7-10)
We live in an age of entitlement.
There are so many people who act as if anything that comes their way does so because they deserve it. There is no such thing as gift, there is only, “That belongs to me.”
As many people live a sense of entitlement in terms of worldly cares, it seems that same approach to life is increasing in the spiritual sense.
So many people do less and less for the Lord and expect, more and more, that they, quite simply, will be cared for.
Jesus addresses that in today’s Gospel.
He reminds us that we have been given a mission by our God. Our job is to proclaim the Kingdom. It is something that we, as believers, are obliged to do.
We cannot rest on our laurels. We must strive, day by day, to bring about the Kingdom.
FAITH ACTION: Look at your motives today. Do you do things because you expect reward or do you do them because you know they are expected of you by God?