Judges 9:6:-15 / Matthew 20:1-16
The word "responsibility" is an interesting word. It means the "condition of being responsible" or to put it in a simple way, the ability to be responsible.
In life, we have our responsibilities. Parents are responsible for their children. The boss is responsible for his workers.
But of course those kind of responsibilities come with the role.
But what if we are called to take on higher responsibilities in which we have a choice to accept or reject?
To take on those responsibilities would mean that we have to make sacrifices and forego some of our carefree attitudes and lifestyles.
In the 1st reading, the story that Jotham told the people has this word "forego" being repeated over and over again.
The point was that if those who are able to take on leadership roles and yet reject the call because they would have to forego their personal ambitions and dreams, then it would be left to those with ulterior motives to be leaders.
And that would spell disaster for all, and that's just because those who can take on responsibilities shirk from it.
It would be an even greater disaster if we shirk from our own duties and responsibilities.
As we think about it, our basic duty and responsibility to God is to give thanks and praise Him for giving us the ability to be faithful to Him.
In thanking and praising God, let us also be generous in our self-giving and service to others so that God will be glorified in all that we do.