2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16 / Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 / Matthew 10:37-42
That is a story titled “Whose job is it?”, but it is known by its more popular title “The story of Everyone, Someone, Anyone and No-one”.
This is how the story goes: There was an important job to be done and Everyone was sure that Someone would do it. Anyone could have done it, but No-one did it.
Someone got angry about that, because it was Everyone’s job. Everyone thought that Anyone could do it, but No-one realized that Everyone wouldn’t do it.
It ended up that Everyone blamed Someone when No-one did what Anyone could have done.
The story may be candid but the message is clear, and that is, no one wanted to take responsibility so nothing was accomplished.
Although it is just a story, the reality of the problem exists in organizations, companies, teams and in society.
And we also know that at one point in time, we have been that “Everyone”, “Someone”, “Anyone” and “No-one”.
In the gospel, there is a word that Jesus mentioned a number of times, 9 times to be exact.
In a short gospel passage, the word “anyone” appears nine times and hence there is an emphasis on it.
What Jesus said about what anyone can do ranged from anything that is difficult to that which is rather ordinary.
But it also means that anyone could do it. It is not something that is impossible or out of this world.
But like in that story, someone thought that anyone could do it, but no one realize that everyone wouldn’t do it.
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be responsible and accountable. We are called to be that “anyone” and to do what is right and just.
To be that “anyone” may mean ending up with a messy thankless task that everyone will take for granted with no one coming to help and even with someone giving comments and criticisms.
Let us be that “anyone” for the glory of God and for the good of others.
Jesus knows what we are doing for Him and He will reward us.