The Logic of the Reign

WORD 2day: Monday, 31st week in Ordinary time

October 31, 2022: Philippians 2: 1-4; Luke 14: 12-14

There is a principle that I am fond of repeating frequently: what we do is something very important, but it is more important why we do what we do! A person who used to be coming to me for a little spiritual help was once saying, sounding very dejected, "no matter how much efforts I make, such and such a person is not happy, the other one has only criticism...no one is satisfied with me! I know my behaviour is not right; but I am not able to change!" All that I thought of saying was this - "why do you want to change; why do you want to alter your behaviour? To please someone? To receive an affirmation from someone? To impress someone? If it is so, you are bound to fail!" 

Why do you have to please someone, by all means? Much worse it is when you begin to prove yourself right, or good, or meritorious before someone! Do nothing to prove yourself! We have nothing to prove to anyone! Anything we do, without a personal conviction and a purposeful decision, loses its value however well it is done. This is a golden principle to remember, if we wish to remain serene and calm.

Reflected from this point of view, the readings today offer us a clear picture of why we are unhappy at times or why it makes so little sense after having moved a mountain. If our ego, our selfish motivations and our childish calculations dominate, however big an action, it would matter nothing. Instead, even if what I do is something absolutely ordinary, when it is done out of genuine love, selfless concern and mercy, it becomes so remarkable in the eyes of the Lord. 

Jesus makes his point doubtlessly clear today: the logic of the Reign is completely different and it takes a different mindset to understand it. Give, offer generously and wish nothing in return, you will see how blessed you feel!