same spirit of faith, we also speak because we believe.
“And you must throw your whole load of worries on Him, because He really cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7
“Lord, You’re my comfort
Strengthen me, hold my head up high
And I stand upon Your truth
Bringing glory unto You…”
“Father of Life
Draw me closer
Lord, my heart is set on You
Let me run the race of time
With Your life enfolding mine…”
…“Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Matthew 14:27
October 03, 2010 - Luke 17:5-10
Today’s Gospel gives us a deeper understanding of God and our service to Him. Commonly, when we do something for somebody, we expect something in return. That somebody owes us. We call it “utang na loob.”
It is a very powerful position against somebody. Unless what we did was part of our responsibility and duty to the other. In that case, the other does not owe us anything at all.
After asking the servant to serve him, the master did not owe the servant anything because the servant just did his job. At most, that servant should just tell himself that he was an unprofitable servant because he only did what was expected of him.
We should see public servants in the same way; they should see themselves in the same way. When they were elected into office, they were expected to fulfill the responsibilities and duties to the people. Unfortunately, many of them make it seem that the people owe them for the services they have rendered.
There is nothing we can do that God will owe us for. No matter how great the deeds are, intended even for God, we can’t do more than what is expected of us. Remember that the very life that we have, which is the source of everything we possess, came from Him. Therefore, when we have fulfilled our duties, all we can say to God is that we have been unprofitable. We simply did what we were expected to do.
This is very relevant to those who think that God owes them because they prayed, sacrificed, fasted, did acts of charity, forgave, understood, exercised patience and even offered their lives for Him. God is perfect and complete. He does not need anything from us. It is we who need Him.
Humility is about knowing our true place before God: We are His creatures and He is our Creator. He calls and we respond. Everything we are had been formed by Him for a purpose. It is our life to hear the call, live the call, and realize the call. In the end, we may not be profitable, but we would have done what God expects of us. If we had satisfied God’s expectations, who needs profit?
Fr. Benny Tuazon
remain your rule of life, you may ask for anything you
wish, and you shall have it.
makes the bones healthy.
you need, so that you may always have sufficient both for
yourselves and for giving away to other people.
in trouble, and prayerful always.
