Unconditional Service To God

 

we are alive to serve God.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Tuesday of 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, November 14th, 2023
Texts: Wisdom 2:23-3:9; Psalm 34:2-3,16-19; Luke 17:7-10 

Jesus Christ calls for unconditional service to God in today’s gospel reading. He says, “So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty." There should be no demand for doing what we are commanded to do. This is because it is the essence of our being to serve God; we are alive to serve God. It is like when dog bark, no one owe it anything for doing so. No one owe us anything for serving God.  

Some of us, today, are far from what Jesus teaches us. The work we are paid to do we seek incentives to do it. Husbands and wives need no gift to love themselves, for it is what they are to do. Children should not run errand for their parents for gain, it is their duty to help their parents. Parents should not seek remuneration for taking care of their children, it is their duty to do so. Family need no commendation for loving themselves; it is a natural thing to do for them. No demand from parents to love their children, it is a natural thing for them to do.

The righteous lives forever

God owes us nothing for serving Him and doing His will; we are the ones who owe Him. We are His creation, He is not our creation. The wise, in today’s first reading says God created us for incorruption and eternity. He also notes that death came through the devil and that we have overcome death through righteousness. In the words of the Wise, “But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them.” The righteous lives forever. He adds, “For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is full of immortality.”  

Our life of righteousness or service to God is for our good, for it restores us to immortality and eternity. Righteous living is also our destiny, for it is the life we will live with God forever. The life of heaven is in our midst through righteous living. We experience here and now the kingdom of God through righteousness. Hence, we need no demand for living righteously, serving God or doing His will. Moreover, we are God’s and all we have are His, so He owes us nothing for serving Him.  

God watches over his holy ones

The Wise also tells us the lot of the righteous. He says, “They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the  Lord will reign over them for ever. Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect, and he watches over his holy ones.”  

Prayer 

God our Father, thank You for Your love and mercy, grant that we may serve You with unconditional love; may we always do what is expected of us selflessly. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke