What Motivates What I Do?

Love of neighbour makes us work for salvation of others.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time B, February 11th, 2024
Texts: Leviticus 13: 1-2.44-46; Psalm 32: 1-2.5. 11; 1 Corinthians 10:31-11: 1; Mark 1:40-45 

Today we are to what answer the question, “what motivates what I do?” The need for survival is what motivates what some of us do. We could do whatever for survival. Staying alive is the first priority. This could make us feel our lives are superior to others’. 

We could slander, betray and kill for self survival. We have to know that there is no life that is superior or inferior; our lives have the same value. What motivates some of us are wealth, fame, power, etc. The desire for such things rule our lives.  

St. Paul, in today’s second reading, tells us what should motivate what we do. He says, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” We should also consider the good of others. In his words: “Just as I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”  

Love of neighbour makes us work for salvation of others

The salvation of souls should be prioritised in whatever we do. This is a call to give up selfishness and be open to the love of God and neighbour. Love of God makes us to do things for His glory. Love of neighbour makes us work for salvation of others. 

Hence, Jesus says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27).  

The leper cries unclean in today’s first reading, not for himself but others. It is not as punishment that the priest asked the leper to cry unclean. The leper cries unclean, not because of punishment. 

Leper live in isolation for salvation of others

The leper cries unclean for the salvation of others. Leper live in isolation for salvation of others. It is not a punishment or because of hatred that inspired such rules. As we work in life, we should not forget that we serve humanity. In whatever we do the priorities should be the glory of God and service of humanity.  

Today’s gospel reading also shows that Jesus Christ came to make us clean. Jesus did not come for his own sake. He came for our sake. Jesus did not come to show-off power. He shows power to save us. 

Jesus came not because He hated us but because He loved us. He took on human flesh not because human flesh is good. He took on human flesh to redeem it and that we may feel His touch physically. He touched the leper to heal him.  

Prayer 

O God, who teach us that you abide in hearts that are just and true, grant that we may be so fashioned by your grace as to become a dwelling pleasing to you. Amen  

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke