GROW AS A DISCIPLE
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples: “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’” I think what Jesus is drawing us to see is the humility we need as his disciples. It’s easy to get puffed up, thinking, “Well, I’ve done this” or “I’ve done that” in service of God. We can even start to feel that God owes us. But we are called to love God for God’s own sake, not for the accolades or even the reward that comes from faithfully serving him. St. Ignatius of Loyola penned a beautiful prayer called the Prayer for Generosity that expresses the sentiment that I feel is at the heart of our Scriptures today: “Eternal Word, only begotten Son of God, teach me true generosity. Teach me to serve you as you deserve. To give without counting the cost . . . to sacrifice myself without thought of any reward save the knowledge that I have done your will.” Let’s ask God to help us to serve him with generous hearts.
GO EVANGELIZE
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul calls us to “bear [our] share of the hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.” Serving the Lord requires that we rely on the gift of the Spirit within us who empowers us to serve courageously and generously. The good news, Paul tells us, is that “God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” In our efforts to serve God and to share our faith with others, let’s remember that it is God’s grace that is at work within us, equipping us and strengthening us. Let’s remember Jesus’ promise that even if we only have faith the size of a tiny mustard seed, we can still do great things for God. Indeed, through the gift of faith and the gift of his Holy Spirit, God has truly given us immense spiritual power.
PRAY
Take a moment to examine your own heart. Is your discipleship fueled more by a hope of reward (heaven), or, by pure love of God? Take some time to pray with St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Prayer for Generosity (the full text can be found online), asking the Lord to increase your generosity in serving him.
By The Faithful Disciple