Tuesday of Week 32 in Ordinary Time
Tit 2:1-8,11-14
Lk 17:7-10
…we have done no more than our duty.
At events involving my President or members of my senior management, I always make sure that I am around to receive, greet and attend to them until they leave. And while they always tell me it is not necessary to see them off, I feel it is my duty to ensure that they leave an event or official function with a proper sendoff. For me, it is neither a chore nor a way of gaining ‘brownie points’; it is my duty.
Some of my peers have remarked that I am always busy running around and, in some cases, have sympathised with me on the sacrifice of time that I have to make. Sometimes, there is a hint of pity in their tone, but I always say that I am just doing my job. And while I have heard of counterparts in other organisations who do not even receive a word of thanks or acknowledgement from their bosses, I am lucky that mine always gives me a ‘Thank you’ or a squeeze on the arm to acknowledge my efforts.
And so, my brothers and sisters, just as we are each called to perform our daily duties, we must also bear in mind our duty to ourselves. Many of us go about our work mechanically, never once asking ourselves if indeed we are happy doing it. Because apart from our remuneration, we also crave a word of thanks or a gesture from our bosses. And when that is lacking, we feel taken for granted, wallowing in self-pity.
Today, Jesus is reminding us that whatever we do, be it at home, in the office or in ministry, we are servants called to work in the Lord’s vineyard. We must approach our work without any sense of entitlement or inflated expectations. For ‘it was the devil’s envy that brought death into the world’ (Wis 2:24A) and we should obey the Lord and be attentive to His commands; for He is putting us to the test and our reward will not be of this earth but in His kingdom, where we will ‘shine out’ and ‘live with him in love’.
Brothers and sisters, as the Lord puts us through the furnace here on earth and moulds us daily into His image, let us not seek the glory and recognition of others. Instead, let us be content and to trust in Him so that when the time comes, we will receive the grace and mercy that He has already given us in abundance…and more.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Desmond Soon)
Prayer: Lord God, help us to go through each day, answering your call in humble obedience, not craving the praise and recognition of others.
Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, we give thanks and praise to you for your abundant blessings, graces and mercy.
OXYGEN 
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