Paying Our Debt to Others With Our Work
Today we consider paying our debt to others with our work.
Now, I don't know about you, but I don't like debt. Minimizing or eliminating debt has been a lifelong pursuit. So, frankly, when I read about the debt I owe others in Working Your Way into Heaven by Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, I was surprised to learn that: a) I even had a debt to others and b) that I was expected to pay back that debt. But after careful reading and consideration, the reality of that debt became clear, as we've seen: In the natural order or things, the sacrifices of others benefit all our lives. In a real sense, as we've seen, we owe a debt to others simply because of the fruits of their labor. No matter that so-and-so's work wasn't intended by him or her to specifically to benefit you. The fact is, it does benefit you and me and everyone else.
With this understanding, we've acknowledged the importance of helping first, our families, then those others in our immediate circle. We saw how we can and should carry our generosity to work with us each day to help those with whom we come in contact who might need encouragement, instruction, guidance, etc. But does our obligation to pay our debt stop there? What about those in need who are not family members or people with whom we have no personal contact? We know they're out there: widows and orphans, the hungry, the thirsty, those who suffer persecution, especially for Christ's sake, those who suffer physically and/or emotionally. What about those who, through no fault of their own, cannot work, or who cannot support themselves in a reasonable manner? Think, for example, of someone physically, emotionally, or mentally disabled in some way whose ability to work is limited by that disability.
That's a long list, and it's not even complete. So what do we, or rather what ought we, do about it? Do we owe a debt to such people? The short answer is yes. As for what we do about it, that's a bit more complex. But let's give it a shot.
First, as to our debt to such people, think for a few moments about this. Something that I recently experienced might help spur your thinking. It concerns a young man with Downs Syndrome. While attending Mass at a church where we were on vacation, this young man brought the "gifts" to the altar at the Offertory (as is the practice at many Novus Ordo Masses). There he hugged the priest, and the server. It was quite moving to witness this. He, representing all of us in the congregation, gave these gifts not only enthusiastically, but also in a pure, and selfless manner. To give in such a pure, selfless manner simply doesn't come easily to those of us more "normal" folks. His effort - we might call it his labor - bore great fruit that morning. It touched so many hearts. You could see and feel it as you sat there watching him.
I don't know about the others there, but I derived great benefit from the efforts of this individual. How many of us could turn this simple action into a lesson in purity and selflessness? Was he conscious of the effect on the rest of us? I suspect not. Can you see how we might owe a debt - at least a debt of gratitude - to this young man?
As for what we could do for this young man, the woman who accompanied him (his sister?) as he walked to and from the altar gave the impression that he was in good hands. Thank God. But while our connection here was personal, albeit fleeting, we also find a connection with those whom we have never met: the countless children with Downs Syndrome killed in the womb. None of them ever had the chance to inform and inspire a congregation of fellow Catholics in the virtues of purity and selflessness. Here we find ourselves faced with the question of what we ought to do for those with whom we have no personal contact.
You can probably see where this is going in this particular instance: We can and should oppose abortion with our prayers, perhaps our presence outside abortion mills, and/or with our money. When it comes to charitable donations to support Pro-Life causes, most of us already know organizations who will employ our donations efficiently for the cause.
Now that we've established how we owe a debt even to those we've never met personally, another issue may arise: Can we afford to help such people?
Remember here that we owe a debt, first and foremost, to our families; then to any others close to us, even those with whom we work, who have need. We can repay that debt generously in myriad ways: some involving money for example, when we support our family; some involving personal action expressed in acts of charity. With the grace of God, our generosity expressed by acts of charity may flow almost without limit. Money's a different story. For most of us, money's limited. But even in the case where meeting our financial obligations to our family exhausts our means, even when there's nothing left over for those others who might need our help, we may be in a position to help anyway.
We'll look at this next time. For now, think about, pray about, how well you are paying your debt to those who provide so much to you by their efforts. Consider how the work of others has provided some degree of security to you and your family: for example, police and firemen at the local level, those in the military at the national level. Think about how the work of others improves and enhances your way of living: the designers and makers of software and machines that provide easier and more efficient ways to get things done. Consider those who create books, films and videos that enlighten your mind and help you to both improve your practical skills, or gain a deeper understanding of universal truths about the nature of God and His Creation; or artists who create beautiful paintings, music, theater, film - creative works that touch your heart and enrich your soul.
Now consider what you will contribute to all of them and all of us today, in your own work. Whatever that work might be, if you focus on nothing more than doing what you do this day perfectly, according to God's will, you will be paying your debt to those who have done so much for you. And the rest of us will, in our own work, pay our debt to you, for all you will have done for us.
Talk about a virtuous circle!
Now, I don't know about you, but I don't like debt. Minimizing or eliminating debt has been a lifelong pursuit. So, frankly, when I read about the debt I owe others in Working Your Way into Heaven by Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, I was surprised to learn that: a) I even had a debt to others and b) that I was expected to pay back that debt. But after careful reading and consideration, the reality of that debt became clear, as we've seen: In the natural order or things, the sacrifices of others benefit all our lives. In a real sense, as we've seen, we owe a debt to others simply because of the fruits of their labor. No matter that so-and-so's work wasn't intended by him or her to specifically to benefit you. The fact is, it does benefit you and me and everyone else.
With this understanding, we've acknowledged the importance of helping first, our families, then those others in our immediate circle. We saw how we can and should carry our generosity to work with us each day to help those with whom we come in contact who might need encouragement, instruction, guidance, etc. But does our obligation to pay our debt stop there? What about those in need who are not family members or people with whom we have no personal contact? We know they're out there: widows and orphans, the hungry, the thirsty, those who suffer persecution, especially for Christ's sake, those who suffer physically and/or emotionally. What about those who, through no fault of their own, cannot work, or who cannot support themselves in a reasonable manner? Think, for example, of someone physically, emotionally, or mentally disabled in some way whose ability to work is limited by that disability.
That's a long list, and it's not even complete. So what do we, or rather what ought we, do about it? Do we owe a debt to such people? The short answer is yes. As for what we do about it, that's a bit more complex. But let's give it a shot.
First, as to our debt to such people, think for a few moments about this. Something that I recently experienced might help spur your thinking. It concerns a young man with Downs Syndrome. While attending Mass at a church where we were on vacation, this young man brought the "gifts" to the altar at the Offertory (as is the practice at many Novus Ordo Masses). There he hugged the priest, and the server. It was quite moving to witness this. He, representing all of us in the congregation, gave these gifts not only enthusiastically, but also in a pure, and selfless manner. To give in such a pure, selfless manner simply doesn't come easily to those of us more "normal" folks. His effort - we might call it his labor - bore great fruit that morning. It touched so many hearts. You could see and feel it as you sat there watching him.
I don't know about the others there, but I derived great benefit from the efforts of this individual. How many of us could turn this simple action into a lesson in purity and selflessness? Was he conscious of the effect on the rest of us? I suspect not. Can you see how we might owe a debt - at least a debt of gratitude - to this young man?
As for what we could do for this young man, the woman who accompanied him (his sister?) as he walked to and from the altar gave the impression that he was in good hands. Thank God. But while our connection here was personal, albeit fleeting, we also find a connection with those whom we have never met: the countless children with Downs Syndrome killed in the womb. None of them ever had the chance to inform and inspire a congregation of fellow Catholics in the virtues of purity and selflessness. Here we find ourselves faced with the question of what we ought to do for those with whom we have no personal contact.
You can probably see where this is going in this particular instance: We can and should oppose abortion with our prayers, perhaps our presence outside abortion mills, and/or with our money. When it comes to charitable donations to support Pro-Life causes, most of us already know organizations who will employ our donations efficiently for the cause.
Now that we've established how we owe a debt even to those we've never met personally, another issue may arise: Can we afford to help such people?
Remember here that we owe a debt, first and foremost, to our families; then to any others close to us, even those with whom we work, who have need. We can repay that debt generously in myriad ways: some involving money for example, when we support our family; some involving personal action expressed in acts of charity. With the grace of God, our generosity expressed by acts of charity may flow almost without limit. Money's a different story. For most of us, money's limited. But even in the case where meeting our financial obligations to our family exhausts our means, even when there's nothing left over for those others who might need our help, we may be in a position to help anyway.
We'll look at this next time. For now, think about, pray about, how well you are paying your debt to those who provide so much to you by their efforts. Consider how the work of others has provided some degree of security to you and your family: for example, police and firemen at the local level, those in the military at the national level. Think about how the work of others improves and enhances your way of living: the designers and makers of software and machines that provide easier and more efficient ways to get things done. Consider those who create books, films and videos that enlighten your mind and help you to both improve your practical skills, or gain a deeper understanding of universal truths about the nature of God and His Creation; or artists who create beautiful paintings, music, theater, film - creative works that touch your heart and enrich your soul.
Now consider what you will contribute to all of them and all of us today, in your own work. Whatever that work might be, if you focus on nothing more than doing what you do this day perfectly, according to God's will, you will be paying your debt to those who have done so much for you. And the rest of us will, in our own work, pay our debt to you, for all you will have done for us.
Talk about a virtuous circle!
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