We Are To Do Things Without Self-interest

 

Living without self-interest is divine.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Monday of 31st Week of Ordinary Time, Year I, November 6th, 2023
Texts: Romans 11:29-36; Psalm 69:30-31,33-34,36-37; Luke 14:12-14 

We begin to realise that we are new creations when we begin to transcend our human nature. By nature we are not altruistic; we do things for gain or certain interest. Jesus Christ, in today’s gospel reading, calls us to jettison such a way of life. Jesus Christ says, “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you." We are to do things without self interest.  

What Jesus Christ teaches us, today, is not only about feast, it concerns life in general. Let us work in our workplace without self-interest. What about relationship with God? It should also be without self-interest. Our relationship with our neighbours should be without self-interest. We will not be able to love our enemies, if we always consider self-interest. The world will not teach us this. The world will always teach us to seek our interest in all things. We have to transcend the world to be a genuine Christian. We have to transcend our human nature to live Christian life. 

Living without self-interest is divine 

Life without self-interest is a life of God. Put differently, living without self-interest is divine while living with self-interest is human. This is clear in today’s first reading as St. Paul says, “The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” They are irrevocable irrespective of our disobedience or obedience. God calls all of us, both the obedient and disobedient, and gives us His gift. Is life not a gift of God? Are both the disobedient and obedient not having it? Many a time do we not wonder why God allow the disobedient to live! They even seem to live longer!  

Living without self-interest is a denial of self but it is a manifestation of life of the spirit. The more we enjoy such a life the more we are comfortable with life of the spirit. Such a way of life does not come with ease, it comes with firm hope in God. It is predicated on hope in God. Hence, Jesus Christ says, “You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just." This tells us that such a way of life is altruistic because our hope is not in man; we do not expect reward from man. Our hope is in God; we expect our reward from Him.  

Prayer  

Lord Jesus Christ, help us to surrender to your power and to transcend ourselves; fill us with hope and so look up to You, not man, for our reward. Amen  
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke