The American College Dictionary lists nine alternate definitions of the word “duty” covering a wide range of meanings. “Duty” for example is that which one is bound to do for exempt voting . It can also mean a levy or tax imposed on the import and export of goods. Let us look to Jesus and his definition or meaning of the word duty. Our Gospel lesson tells, the story of the rich young man who seeks Jesus’ approval in all that he does in trying to please God. When Jesus tells him one more thing he needs to do. “Go and sell what you have and give to the poor, then you will have treasure in heaven. After that come and follow me.” The rich young man went away sad.
“Come and follow me” is extended to us all. “Follow Me on the road to happiness. It is your duty to follow the road to your own happiness. But first you must eliminate our self-centeredness. It is the mistaken notion that we can substitute our own formula for God’s. It is the mistaken notion that our happiness is unrelated to the happiness of others. This is what Jesus implored the young man to embrace. The real lesson therefore, is this: only by losing ourselves in loving service to others can we find the true happiness we seek.
In one of the “Charlie Brown” cartoons. Charlie Brown holds up his hands before Lucy and says. “These are hands which may someday accomplish great things. These are hands which may someday do marvelous works! They may build mighty bridges, or heal the sick, or hit home-runs, or write soul-stirring novels! These are the hands which may change the course of destiny! To which Lucy replies, “Charlie Brown, you got jelly all over your hands.”
In the interest of our eternal happiness, we should not talk about our Christian duty with jelly on our hands. God’s formula for happiness is not meant to stick somewhere between us knowing it and doing it. If our neighbor is need of material support don’t let our sticky fingers keep us from helping him. If a sinner is need of forgiveness, don’t let our compassion keep sticking to our own self-righteousness. If someone needs relief from loneliness don’t let our understanding keep sticking to our unresponsiveness. God’s will is the happiness of all. Our happiness is doing God’s will
The rich young man in the Gospel story decided to stick to his own formula and Mark tells us, “He went away sad.” If in the moment of Grace, we see our duty as sticking to God’s formula, we will go away happy.