By Fr. Glenn Jones:

One of my pet peeves—as it is for many, I would surmise—is people driving slowly (or at least relatively slowly) in the left lane, especially on the crowded interstate. We often see people mouthing words such as: “Please, sir/madam; would you be ever so kind as to move over to a lane to the right?” … or perhaps some more colorful variation thereof … waving an almost fingerless greeting as they are finally able to pass. After all, simple community vehicle operation courtesy obliges us to take other drivers into account.

Another thing that priests and ministers in particular have to deal with is phones ringing in the middle of a service. Granted, often is just simple forgetfulness to turn off the ringer, but … answering it? Really? Do we not have the obligation in courtesy to others (not to mention to the speaker) to either silence it or, if it’s a very important call, to go somewhere more private. The same happens in theaters, too, as you well may have experienced.

Now, we tend to not like obligations, because those put pressure upon us to either do what we might  rather not do, or not do what we rather—crawling along in the left lane, for instance. But obligation implies a debt owed—the obligation be kind to others to maintain/further cooperative and amicable societal relations, obligation to our employers for our recompense, obligation to one’s nation and leaders for its services—protection, infrastructure, freedoms: “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (Romans 13:7) and “… render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” (Matthew 22:21) Then there’s obligation to those who provide services (food, water, electricity, etc.), obligation to friends who have helped us in life, obligation to family who have cared for and loved us. Indeed, we read in scripture: “If any one does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)

More specifically in respect to this latter principle, parents’ obligation to the little tykes they have brought into the world or have otherwise taken into their home: “… children ought not to lay up for their parents, but parents for their children.” (2 Corinthians 12:14), and even more greatly binding, children’s obligation toward their parents: “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD has commanded you.”  (Deuteronomy 5:16), for “… through your parents you were born; and what can you give back to them that equals their gift to you?” (Sirach 7:28)

We Christians, of course, as do other monotheists, believe our preeminent obligation is to God—to Him who has not only given us life and all that we had, have and will have, but also brought about existence itself, as the mother of the seven martyred sons understood: “I do not know how you came into being in my womb. It was not I who gave you life and breath, nor I who set in order the elements within each of you. Therefore, the Creator of the world, who shaped the beginning of man and devised the origin of all things, will in his mercy give life and breath back to you again.” (2 Maccabees 7:22-23)

So, if God has given us literally all that we have, even our very lives, what is our obligation—our duty—to Him? St. Paul challenged: “What have you that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7) So … what can we possibly give back to Him that He has not already given to us?

Well … you parents: Have you not given the paper, the crayons, the food and clothing for your little ones, and even ushered them into life? And yet … how many simple, awkwardly drawn pictures have been given to you by them as gifts have you cherished and saved? Why? Because they are the greatest gifts of all: the gifts of love.

Likewise, what we can give as the one gift God longs for is our love and devotion, just as the parent longs for from their children. And like those children, not given out of fear lest we not be cared for, but simply out of gratitude for all that has been given … and for what we know will be given because of their continued love for us.

What does God need of us? In the strict sense He needs nothing at all. Christians believe God is not a single person, but mysteriously three co-equal and consubstantial persons in one God—bound in absolute, infinite and perfect love—the perfect community of a Trinity of persons.

However, love longs to share itself, and thus God’s love has “spilled over” into His creative act. But love is not love unless freely given. A robot might imitate the behavior of love, but without free choice, love would not be truly there. So, love is tied inexorably to the will of each person; we can will to love, even those whom we might not like that much. So “love thy neighbor” is not strictly bound to feelings, but to the will. To one’s choice.

How do we show our love of, and to, God? St. John reminds us: “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3), and we read elsewhere: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13) This might seem almost tyrannical at first glance, but really is simply the way of charity … the way of the Good … for “…what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

For [Jesus said] “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.