“Then he said to the host who invited him, ‘When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’” (Luke 14:12-14 NABRE)

It's easy to do something nice for someone we love. It’s easy to perform a good work in front of others, and it probably pleases us when they commend us for what we did. However, sometimes it’s difficult to do something nice for someone we don’t exactly get along with. And we might not feel the same satisfaction for doing a good work when no one is around.

Yet, Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel to do good works for those who can’t repay us. It’s as simple as that. Just as Jesus loves us, even though we are sinners, we must love others, even when we receive nothing in return. But keep in mind(!), we aren’t really receiving nothing in return. By accepting Jesus as our Savior, living for Him, doing good works, and loving others as He loves us, we are preparing ourselves for the day when we will be with Him in Heaven. There is no greater reward.

So, persevere in living for God and doing good for others, even when it seems like you’re never repaid, and even when it seems like nobody sees or appreciates you.

Because Jesus sees you.

What more could we ask for?