What drives and motivates us to serve? Is it honor, title, prestige, and popularity? Or is it a genuine concern for others and love for God? This is an important question to reflect upon, as it can free us from the taints of self-importance and self-absorption, granting us a profound and authentic sense of joy.
How do we perceive earthly degrees, titles, ranks, status, and positions? Do we view them merely as avenues for achieving fulfillment, self-glorification, and prestige within society, or do we recognize them as responsibilities given by God—opportunities to honor Him by serving humanity?
Indeed, we, as human beings, often feel compelled to discuss ranks and titles—who is being promoted, who is popular, and who surpasses others. In these conversations about mundane matters, we may find ourselves reflecting on or questioning our personal status, sometimes feeling grateful for our uncomplicated lives, and content with simplicity.
Friends, some individuals are destined for greatness while others are called to ordinariness, according to God’s will. Some strive relentlessly for prestige, even resorting to dishonest means and manipulating the system to achieve their goals. Ultimately, however, they must answer before God regarding how they selflessly served His people.
The wisdom we must seek from God is the enlightenment concerning the true motives of our service. There is nothing more liberating than discovering and embracing the sacredness of one’s vocation. This Sunday’s First Reading from the Book of Wisdom (7:7-11) speaks of the wisdom we should pursue as the true wealth we must seek:
“I prayed, and prudence was given me;
I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
I preferred her to scepter and throne,
and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her,
nor did I liken any priceless gem to her;
because all gold, in view of her, is a little sand,
and before her, silver is to be accounted mire.”
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.
