In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us to love without expecting something back.
God gives to us freely.
Sometimes I hear of people who stop volunteering in Ministry because they are not appreciated or acknowledged enough by those in authority or by others.
I would invite those who feel tempted to do so to ask why we do what we do?
Am I doing these good things for the love of God and those of others?
Our insecurity can trap us into being motivated by wanting the approval and recognition of others.
Of course, we should never take anyone for granted. Appreciating each other and each other’s ministry is a good thing. Saying thank you to each other in our families, in Church Ministry and in other activities is not only good but to be encouraged and very desirable.
However, we are reminded by Jesus not to stop loving when recognition is not given.
There is nothing wrong with appreciating and being appreciated. However, it is also important to remember that without God we can do nothing.
In everything, we give glory to God.
Jesus also reminds us that when we do good, we ‘do not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing’ and when we do good in secret God knows what we are doing.