By Fr. Glenn Jones:

You may remember the big news last week about the two billion dollar Powerball prize up for grabs. There was a news report after the drawing which reported that, after taxes, the winner would receive a “mere” $634 million. “Awww … poor thing!” said … nobody.

But it gets one to thinking. Not about exorbitant taxes (well … maybe that, too), but rather: “How much is enough?” After all, even the richest never seem to have enough, though claiming that it’s the challenge that keeps them striving—like a video game in which billionaires try to get the “high score”. But scripture reminds us of human weakness: “The eye is not satisfied by seeing nor has the ear enough of hearing.” (Ecclesiastes 1:8). Always we want more, more … MORE!”

Jesus emphasizes that we, as creations of God, are called to serve God, who Himself calls us to serve our neighbor. So much of how we serve God and thereby live virtuous lives is in that service to one another—serving God in our neighbor (a reflection admittedly harder to see in some people than in others, yet to whom we are called to serve nonetheless). Jesus reminds us of that “design” obligation to serve given at our very coming to being.

Being obliged to serve sounds a little harsh and slavish at first, but when we think about it, it’s really a gift. God has no “need” for us whatever, but everything good that we have from Him is from Him. Does that not obligate us in justice to serve, in whatever capacity or condition He set us in?

A favorite analogy of scriptures is the pot and the potter: “Shall the potter be regarded as the clay; that the thing made should say of its maker, ‘He did not make me’?” (Isaiah 29:16) … and later on: “Woe to him who [argues] with his Maker…Thus says the LORD…‘Will you question me about my children, or command me concerning the work of my hands? I made the earth, and created man upon it…’” (Isaiah 45:9-12) Rather, should not our humble prayer be: “O LORD, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou art our potter; we are all the work of thy hand.” (Isaiah 64:8)

And so, whether rich or poor, famous or hidden, young or old, all are called to serve. A favorite title even of popes is “Servus Servorum Dei,” meaning “Servant of the Servants of God”. And it seems that this duty is “hard-wired” in us, for we often find the greatest joy in helping those who are in dire straits.

Even the non-believer finds joy in helping others, and ponders the unrelenting insistent questions: “What are we here for? What’s the point of this life? Is this IT?!” These are central to both philosophy and theology—Christian and otherwise. Why IS it that we are never satisfied with what we have? Why this apparent unsatisfiable longing?

To which the Christian will answer: Because we are not made for this world, but for another. A better one, which only virtue, charity and love can reflect ever so dimly—like light from a distant supernova, even though its proximate true brightness is blinding. As St. Paul writes: “At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully…” (1 Corinthians 13:13-14)

And so Jesus reminds us that we should not be prideful or braggadocious at serving one another, as that is both the obligation and purpose of our lives. So, “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’” (Luke 17:10) Thus His admonition: “…take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you…to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (Matthew 6:1-3)

But we note that Jesus urges US to humility in declaring: “We are unprofitable servants…”, realizing that all that we have and are is from the overflowing munificence of God. But God Himself may not think us “unprofitable”, but rather in doing that for which He calls us, we can be His “good investment”.

And our greatest service to Our Lord is love itself—for we are to reflect our Creator who IS love (cf., 1 John 4:16), just as a painting reflects is some measure the artist. Though absolutely dependent upon Him, and yet God pours out His infinite love on us, the parent to His child, for God IS love, and love longs to give of itself. 

Thus, our greatest service to God becomes simply to love Him in return; this what He desires of us, and why the two great commandments are simply to love—love God, and love one another. Whether we are rich or poor, powerful or lowly, love transcends all conditions of life. Thus, when we go before God with the record of our lives, we are judged on how we have fulfilled those two commands.

For, as the prophet Micah tells us: “You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the LORD requires of you. Only to do right, to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) … a yoke that is easy, a burden that is light. (ref. Matthew 11:30)

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By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

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.