DEACON 11: Duties and Responsibilities

DEACON 11
Duties and Responsibilities

We truly believe, and we should, that we have rights like, Human Rights, and national rights, which are those protected by the laws of the nation. But we also have duties and responsibilities. We do not exist in a vacuum. We are social beings and as such we have duties and responsibilities to each other in society. We have an obligation to treat others with courtesy and respect. We have a duty to look out for the welfare of all members of our society. We are responsible for the care of our neighbourhoods, communities, cities, countries et al. And we must never forget that our freedom extends only to the tip of our nose. We must be mindful of manners and we must be kind.

In the Gospel according to Saint Luke we are taught a very important lesson about who, among the members of society, is a good neighbour, i.e. he who is responsible and dutiful and cares for his fellow man. Jesus said that a man was assaulted on the road, beaten and robbed of all his money and was left alone and badly injured. A priest passed by but quickly kept going, ignoring the injured man. So did a Levite who, after seeing the man, did not stop to render aid. Then a Samaritan passed by and took compassion on the man and bandaged his wounds and took him to an Inn so that he could rest and recuperate, and paid the innkeeper for all of the man’s expenses. Jesus pointed out that this Samaritan was the good neighbour. He was the man who had truly lived up to his responsibility as a human being and a member of society. (Saint Luke 10:30-37)

Selfishness is nothing new in the world. I am sure it has existed since the days of the first established community. However, it seems that selfishness is becoming more and more common. And perhaps it is because people are being taught to be selfish, or greatly encouraged, by the supposed leaders that they elect into office. The bad examples of those perceived…or known…to be in positions of power embed themselves deeply in the minds of many people, especially of those that are supporters and admirers of the so-called leader. The words, the speeches, and the senseless slogans these politicians publish or blast on radio and television also makes a profound impression because these words are, lamentably, believed.

Bad examples by egocentric, narcissistic public figures…and now also by the so-called influencers…create and re-enforce selfish attitudes in the minds of many. Selfishness is an obstacle to good judgement. Selfishness becomes the substitute of the compassion that we should feel and demonstrate. Selfishness, the I, me, mine attitude, always takes; a charitable attitude always gives. Selfish people ever give anything except negative vibes and energy.

And in the same is true of chauvinism, nationalism and the fervent, exaggerated version of patriotism exhibited by fanatics. It amounts to nothing positive in society. And that goes directly to those who think their country is superior to others. Because they think they are superior they believe they can do with the inferior ones whatever they want. This makes them think it is right to take take from the perceived inferior countries what they consider valuable or important to their own. This attitude leads to unfriendly, disrespectful acts that can ultimately become aggression and even war.

Saint Paul, in his epistle to the Philippians said: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” And this is the essence of kindness and a spiritual life. One need not be religious, one only needs be a moral human being, in behaviour, not in creed. Follow your heart and the instincts of the human spirit. This will guide you towards committing acts of charity and kindness, not of aggression and spite. Saint Paul was quite clear: Be humble, value others above yourselves.

And that does not mean that one should not love oneself. One most certainly should. If one does not oneself one cannot love others. But one must avoid the selfish, greedy spirit that leads one to think of others as obstacles in one’s way. And one must embrace others kindly, responsibly and dutifully. I tell my dear ones all the time that they should look out for Number One and that is that Number One is themselves. I am number one for me, but I would take a bullet for any one of my loved ones. There is no contradiction in terms. Love is love.

So we must protect our rights by being dutiful and responsible citizens. We should be wary of the words and the examples of arrogant and selfish leaders…or influencers, pop stars, media figures et al…so that they will not poison our soul. We cannot let their negativity find its way inside our minds. For if we know that the negative ones are saying things that will lead us astray, their discourse cannot hurt us. Remember Jesus taught us that man is not poisoned by what comes in, but what comes out of the mouth.

Valencia, España, 08 MAR 2025, Francisco Bravo Cabrera