Men's Rosary

The world does not owe you anything. The government does not owe you anything. Others do not owe you anything, in the temporal sense. There is a problem today with entitlement.

Some from a prominent family may feel privileged and owed more respect than others. Some who have advanced higher education may feel superior to those who do not and expect more respect than others. Some with good looks may expect they will be treated better than those with less good looks. Some with much wealth may expect to be fussed over and catered to more than others. Good fortune and temporal excess equate to a litany of things owed to some people simply because of circumstance. This is genuinely believed and demanded by some! It is used to get what they want the easiest way possible.

For others, lack of temporal goods causes them to feel entitled or owed special favors and treatment. Those will use their lack of temporal advantage as a crutch to be given what they lack. This belief is used to justify not taking action.

Either side of this equation is unhealthy. The focus is totally on the person. It becomes an arrogance that keeps one from acting in a way that is productive, not only for themselves but for others. The danger in thinking that the world owes us something, is that it is temporary in nature. When it is gone, where will we be? How much owed will  be paid? The answer is the same as to what is owed now – nothing! The reality is; it is we who owe the world, and others. “Whatever you think the world is withholding from you, you are withholding from the world.” (Eckhart Tolle)

Entitlement is harmful in the temporal sense, but given the temporal is not everlasting, it does become a mute point. The danger is where this becomes an everlasting problem. That would be in the spiritual sense. The entitlement is self-righteousness and the solution is righteousness. In self-righteousness we hold our selves in high esteem, above others, and lord over them. We expect to be served, to be treated better than the others. This is in direct conflict with what Scripture teaches.  “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to your interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4) To consider how much we pray, go to Confession, spend time in Adoration, volunteer in ministry, and my favorite – being a “cradle Catholic”; as an indication of spiritual superiority and confidence that God will save us because of it, is the epitome of self-righteousness. It is poison to the soul. This attitude is a gross expression of pride and will not lead us to God as much as we may think it will.

Righteousness is what we should seek. This is a turning away from pride and embracing humility, acknowledging that we do nothing to earn salvation. Rather, it is a grace given. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10) In seeking righteousness we strive to improve and become better. We honor God through humility and love. In seeking righteousness over self-righteousness, we turn from selfishness to servantude. We begin to model our lives from the imitation of Christ. “For even the son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

Even though works are important, our faith is more than our works. Just as in the temporal sense the world owes us nothing; in the spiritual sense, in our life of faith, God does not owe us anything. “With regard to God, there is no strict right to any merit on the part of man. Between God and us there is an immeasurable inequality, for we have received everything from him, our Creator.” (CCC2007) All we receive is by grace. This grace is only obtained through a holy desire – a longing for God, and righteousness, and heaven; over worldly pursuits, and selfish desires.

Emptying ourselves of our selfish desires, proclivities, and admiration, will allow us to draw near to Christ and find our way to the Father, and be present to receive his grace. Grace is his to give and for us to receive. It is not what we do to earn it; it is more about emptying our vessel so there is room for the grace to be poured into. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that grace is not found unless it is totally gratuitous and expecting God to owe us turns divine grace into a transaction.

The concept of entitlement, be it in the temporal or spiritual sense, is flawed and useless. We must let go of any inclination of thinking we are doing all the right things to receive God’s grace, that we are owed salvation on our own merits. It is necessary to detach from all things not of God and to cling to all that is. To be in the state to receive God’s grace we must be close to Christ and look to imitate him. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”” (John14:4) We must consider how much we keep Christ in our life; how much we want him in our life. Our measure of holiness and redemption will depend on our desire for holiness and our relationship with Christ. It is not about us and what we do. It is about who we become through Christ being in us.

“In the measure you desire him, you will find him.” (St. Teresa of Avila)