Let me ask you a question: Have you ever done something good for someone, and afterward, you felt disappointed because that person did not even say, “Thank you”?
Perhaps you helped a friend, sacrificed for your family, or worked so hard for your parish. But nobody noticed. Nobody appreciated what you did. And deep inside, you said, “Sus, bisan thank you na lang unta, wala gyud!” I think we have all experienced this.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us of something very important: We should do good not because we want to be appreciated, but because we want to love.
Let me share three simple lessons.
First, serve out of love, not for recognition.
Jesus tells us that after doing everything entrusted to us, we should humbly say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” This does not mean that our service has no value. Rather, Jesus is reminding us that genuine love does not keep counting what it has done.
Think of a mother who wakes up in the middle of the night to care for her sick child. She does not ask for overtime pay. She does not demand an award. She does it because she loves her child.
That is how we should serve God and one another.
Second, remember that everything we have is a gift from God.
Sometimes, when we have accomplished many good things, we begin to think that God owes us something.
But think about it. Who gave us our life? Who gave us our talents, our strength, and our opportunities to serve?
Everything comes from God! That is why we should never become proud of our accomplishments. Instead, we should be grateful that God has allowed us to become instruments of His love.
Third, continue doing good even when nobody appreciates you.
There will be moments when your sacrifices go unnoticed.
Parents, your children may not always appreciate what you do for them.
Priests and Church workers, people may not always recognize your efforts.
And sometimes, the very people we try to help are the ones who criticize us.
But please, do not allow the lack of appreciation to discourage you from doing good. People may forget what you have done, but God never forgets the love with which you have done it.
And remember, Jesus Himself washed the feet of His disciples. He served them, even knowing that one would betray Him and another would deny Him. He loved and served, not because everyone deserved it, but because that is what love does.
My dear brothers and sisters, let us ask ourselves today: Am I serving because I love, or because I want to be recognized?
May we learn to serve quietly, love generously, and remain humble. And at the end of each day, instead of asking, “Lord, did people appreciate me?” may we simply say: “Lord, thank You for giving me another day to love and serve You. I have only done what I ought to do.”