“When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’” (Luke 17:10)
The first thought that came to me after reading today’s Gospel was, “How am I obliged?” Scurrying to find the definition, I read in the Merriam-Webster dictionary: “to make someone legally or morally bound to an action or course of action” or “Indebted or grateful.”
As toddlers, we are indebted to our parents for everything. Our entire life centers around the positive responses we get from completing our parent’s requests. Their acknowledgment when we take the right action or offer the correct verbal cue reinforces that sense of accomplishment. As adults, we still seek recognition from our boss, our spouse, and sometimes from our parents. But above all, we should recognize that we are indebted to the Lord and do what we do for Him.
I am very grateful and appreciative when someone helps me. If I feel obliged to complete that particular task, I find myself in a win-win situation. Either I am fulfilling my responsibilities or receiving assistance from someone. The common thread in both scenarios is humility, either acting with humility or accepting help with humility. Without it, where is God in our actions?
Jesus provided us with many examples, such as today’s Gospel about the mustard seed. Yet, we often hesitate when called to help someone in need. This is where obligation becomes negative and feels like a burden that leads us astray. According to the Catechism, the Church, “urged on by the Spirit of Christ, must walk the same path that Christ himself walked,” (CCC 852) the humble servant. If you give everything to Our Lord, He will give back 100 times over.
When you are obliged, are you morally compelled or thankful? Can you honestly say you have done all you were obliged to do? We must approach our obligations with firm faith and ask God for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. For without faith, “obliged” becomes nothing more than a seven-letter word.
En el Evangelio de hoy dice, “cuando hayan cumplido todo lo que se les mandó, digan: ‘No somos más que siervos, sólo hemos hecho lo que teníamos que hacer’” (o en otras palabras, lo que estamos obligados a hacer).
Lo primero que pensé después de leerlo fue: “¿En qué sentido estoy obligado?” Buscando la definición, leí en el diccionario Merriam-Webster: “obligar legal o moralmente a alguien a una acción o curso de acción” o “En deuda con alguien o agradecido”.
De pequeños, estamos en deuda con nuestros padres por todo. Nuestra vida gira en torno a las respuestas positivas que recibimos al cumplir con sus pedidos. Su reconocimiento cuando actuamos correctamente o damos la señal verbal correcta refuerza esa sensación de logro. De adultos, aún buscamos el reconocimiento de nuestro jefe, nuestra pareja y, a veces, de nuestros padres. Pero, sobre todo, debemos reconocer que estamos en deuda con el Señor y hacer lo que hacemos por Él.
Estoy muy agradecida cuando alguien me ayuda. Si me siento obligada a completar esa tarea en particular, me encuentro en una situación donde gano en una de dos formas. O cumplo con mis responsabilidades o recibo ayuda de alguien. El factor que ambos casos tienen en común es la humildad, ya sea actuando con humildad o aceptando la ayuda con humildad. Sin ella, ¿dónde está Dios en nuestras acciones?
Jesús nos dio muchos ejemplos, como el Evangelio de hoy sobre el grano de mostaza. Sin embargo, a menudo dudamos cuando se nos llama a ayudar a alguien necesitado. Aquí es donde la obligación se vuelve negativa y se siente como una carga que nos desvía. Según el Catecismo, la Iglesia, “impulsada por el Espíritu Santo, debe avanzar por el mismo camino por el que avanzó Cristo,” (CIC 852) el humilde siervo. Si le das todo a Nuestro Señor, Él te lo devolverá multiplicado por cien.
Cuando te sientes obligado, ¿te sientes moralmente obligado o agradecido? ¿Puedes decir honestamente que has hecho todo lo que estabas obligado a hacer? Debemos afrontar nuestras obligaciones con fe firme y pedirle a Dios los dones del Espíritu Santo. Porque sin fe, “obligado” se convierte en una simple palabra de ocho letras.
Marti Garcia’s passions are her retired life and growing deeper in her Catholic faith. Marti is a Sacristan/EM, facilitates small groups, and assists as a First Communion Catechist for parents. Being a parent educator and writer for 35 years, she recently published a children’s chapter book on Amazon, The Ladybugs. You can find her at her blog: MartiGarcia.org, or thewaterisshallow.com, or her cohost podcast, findingacommonthread.com, which is coming soon.
Feature Image Credit: Jaspreet Kalsi, unsplash.com/photos/a-spoon-filled-with-black-seed-on-top-of-a-white-table-KnqsFMimm1U
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