"I AM NOT APPRECIATED"

Readings: Genesis 17:3-9; John 8:51-59

There are times we all might wonder why we aren’t appreciated more than we are. We do a lot of good things for people, don’t we? For our families, for friends, for people way on the other side of the world we don’t even know. We’re patient and pleasant in the stores. We don’t drive clerks up the wall like some people do, we don’t get irritated by slow checkout cashiers, we’re just plain nice and accommodating to everybody. But nobody seems to recognize that fact. Nobody seems to think we’re all that great.

What did Jesus say to the people in our gospel story when they refused to honor and respect him for all his acts of goodness?

“If I glorify myself,” Jesus told them, “that glory comes to nothing. He who gives me glory is the Father, the very one you claim for your God...”

Jesus wasn’t going to brag about all he was doing for people. He had no intention of saying, “Listen, my people, I want to tell you all about the good things I do. Then you’ll see how wonderful I am and you will praise me instead of continuously trying to put me down.”

Jesus preferred to leave any honor or praise due him up to his Father. Let us do the same. Who cares when we’re not recognized for our contributions! Jesus wasn’t either. But ever since his death God has been giving him nothing but glory and recognition on earth and in heaven. God sees what you’re doing, and that’s what counts.