Sixth Sunday Of The Holy Cross - Sunday, October 19, 2025

Be Zealous for Good Deeds

“It is good to be made much of for a good purpose at all times” (Galatians 4:18)

The Apostle Paul’s message, “It is good to be zealous in a good thing,” is just as relevant today as it was when he first spoke it. Zeal for what is good-unlike envy that breeds hostility or bitterness-means striving to move forward, to improve ourselves, and to bring light into the lives of others. This verse reminds us that the purpose of human life is not merely self-assertion, but enriching our society through good deeds, love, and tolerance.

In our present time, when social media is often seen as a stage for displaying one’s achievements, it’s easy to become a victim of envy. People see someone else’s success, car, salary, or vacation and lose their own sense of worth, falling into malice and self-doubt. Yet in such moments, Paul’s message reminds us that zeal should serve as a guiding point-urging us to learn, grow, and become more purposeful in creating good. For example, if our friend or neighbor volunteers in community service or starts a new project, we should be zealous for their good works, not with resentment or hostility, but taking it as an inspiration to contribute to our own and our community’s well-being-to think, “What good can I do around me?”

Being zealous for good deeds also helps build a healthy society. When people are inspired by each other’s examples, they begin to cooperate, to help, and to pay less attention to unnecessary competition. We can see this in many social initiatives where especially young people are inspired by one another’s actions-creating programs to help the poor and children, to protect nature, and to improve education. These have a real impact precisely because one good deed inspires another.

The Apostle Paul’s message calls us to be guided by love, humility, and purposefulness. Zeal for good things should become our driving force-not as a source of personal anger, but as a stimulus for progress and for moral and spiritual growth. In our modern world, where people often forget to show love and respect toward one another, this message reminds us that every good deed can bring light not only into others’ lives but also inspire strength, hope, and purpose within us. Zeal for goodness can be one of the most powerful ways to spread light and sow hope in our contemporary world.

Deacon MIKAYEL MARGARYAN