Readings: Phil 2:1-4; Lk 14:12-14
Philip Raj csc –
The readings of the day invite us to reflect on two key aspects: being selfless and humble. In today’s first reading, St. Paul urges us not to have any selfish ambitions but to be humble and consider others as more significant than ourselves. We are called to focus on and work for the common good rather than our own selfish interests.
In the gospel reading, Jesus challenges our common approach to relationships and asks us to do everything without expecting anything in return. When we help others, we should not think about what we will gain from it. It’s part of our human nature to be calculative; we often consider what we can get in return before acting. We are interdependent in various ways, and in all possible ways, we need to render our selfless service to improve the lives of others. It is the Lord who sees our good deeds and rewards us. We are called to be selfless and reach out to those in need without expecting anything in return.
Jesus set an example for us by washing the feet of his disciples and commanding us to do the same for others. We need to respect and love others, even when we are ill-treated or disrespected. As St. Teresa of Calcutta said, “Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely, and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.”