Jesus said to his disciples: “Much will be required of the person
entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted
with more.”
The Lord is speaking to YOU! He
has entrusted so much to YOU! He is
counting on YOU! He wants YOU!
St. Paul writes to his friends, “You
have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your
benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation” (Eph
3:2-12).
What exactly was revealed and made known to St. Paul? That Jesus
Christ is Lord and Savior! Why him? For two simple reasons: for his benefit and the benefit of others;
for his salvation and for the salvation of others. This revelation was entrusted to him so that
he could share the Good News with others.
And he did.
He took it and ran with it. In
fact, he ran as fast as he could, as hard as he could and as far as he could. Actually, he ran all over Europe and Asia
Minor with it, even up to the steps of Rome’s White House: Caesar’s palace.
And Rome would never be the same again.
Has this mystery not been revealed to you? If you are reading this, then it has! And just to let you know: much
that has been entrusted to you will be demanded of you. This is not a threat. This is a timely reminder.
Make no mistake about it: you
don’t need to have money; you don’t need to have talents; you don’t even have
to have a tongue! What you do need to
have is a heartbeat and faith in God.
Every single day of your life,
the Lord will give you the opportunity to share Him with others. In one way or another, the Lord will ask you
to make him known to another. Are you up
to the task? If I am, then I can assure
you that you are too.
Yesterday, someone sent me a text message with the following prayer
request: “Good morning Father, would you please pray for a woman I know. She used to be a nun, became an atheist, and
is now trying to come back. She has
asked me to walk with her through this journey as she returns to the Catholic Church. Pray for me as well. God bless you!”
I wrote back, “I will. How exciting!”
“Easy for you to say”, she
wrote, “I don’t even know anything about
atheism, so I don’t know what to expect.
We will be meeting. She will have
many questions and many fears.”
I wrote back, “You don’t need to
worry about anything. Just be
faithful. That’s what she needs.”
Just be faithful.
I know. It’s the easiest thing
to say but the toughest thing to do. But
I know it is the best way to live life to the full!
At the end of our life, the only thing that will matter will be what we
did for God and what we did for others; that is, what we did with the blessings and love
we received.
Where much is given, much is expected. Elections are coming up; maybe the most important elections of our life time. And when I vote, I will do so based on what is true; what is sacred; what is fundamental; what is important.
It will not be rooted in me. It will be rooted in Jesus Christ.
I sometimes imagine that at the end of my life I will be handed a few lists outlining all the things I complained about; all the time I wasted; all the excuses I made, and all the things I considered to be very important. I fear that moment may be a bit embarrassing - not so much for what is on my lists - but when I compare it to God’s immense love and mercy I received throughout my life.
It will not be rooted in me. It will be rooted in Jesus Christ.
I sometimes imagine that at the end of my life I will be handed a few lists outlining all the things I complained about; all the time I wasted; all the excuses I made, and all the things I considered to be very important. I fear that moment may be a bit embarrassing - not so much for what is on my lists - but when I compare it to God’s immense love and mercy I received throughout my life.
" I sometimes imagine that at the end of my life I will be handed a few lists outlining all the things I complained about; all the time I wasted; all the excuses I made, and all the things (throughout my life) I considered to be very important. I fear that moment may be a bit embarrassing - not so much for what is on my lists - but when I compare it to God’s immense love and mercy I received throughout my life."
ReplyDeleteI fear this as well. I imagine God showing me all the people I could have helped and how their lives would have been changed if I cooperated with His grace to help them or serving them by a small act of love and didn't! Or all the times I complained to Jesus about my troubles, or what I thought was important, or what I loved more than HIm and see the fullblown "bad fruits" of it. The veil will be lifted. I am terrified...
I sometimes imagine that at the end of my life I will be handed a few lists outlining all the things I complained about; all the time I wasted; all the excuses I made, and all the things I considered to be very important. I fear that moment may be a bit embarrassing - not so much for what is on my lists - but when I compare it to God’s immense love and mercy I received throughout my life.- So much power in your words and I love that you are so definite! ( hope u understand, what I'am trying to say) You are always in prays and thoughts. ;)God Bless u Father Alfonse
ReplyDeleteWhere much is given, much is expected. But what about where much has NOT been given (handicap, poor, unemployed, etc.). How much is expected from those less fortunate. Will we be judged poorly if all we can muster is the strength to focus on OURSELVES, to make it day by day?
ReplyDeleteIve always enjoyed watching Special Olympics and the paraolympics. They seem to be telling everyone: don't ever give up!
DeleteI feel there is always a way to witness Christ's love. I am the mother of two very small children which makes it difficult to get away to serve others, but what I can do is be an example of how to be a patient, loving, kind mother to my children and love them the way Christ loves me.
DeleteEven if you can't get out of your home, you can love your family or caretakers the way the Christ loves you. You can offer up your suffering for the good of others. Show the world that just because it is difficult for you doesn't mean you are going to love and serve any less!
Father Alfonse
ReplyDeleteYesterday, I had a very difficult situation with a family that I work with, who also happens to be very spiritual and as much as one tries to remain a professional, we are still human. All I could do was listen to her and her husband. I tried to be compassionate and understanding of their agony. Mom was finally able to calm down enough to listen to my words. It was an instant trust she had in me as she listened to me. When we finished, we were the only ones left in the bldg. I was walking ahead leading her to the front doors of the bldg. when out of the blue she asks me “why do you do this type of work?” I kind of just laughed and shrugged my shoulders. I wanted to tell her because this is the path the Lord had chosen for me and I consider my work a mission for God rather than just a career. But I didn’t have to say it, she looked at me and smiled and said “this is not just a job for you this is a mission.” Praise God and Glory be given to Him.
“Has this mystery not been revealed to you?” It is revealed to me everyday…. “And just to let you know: much that has been entrusted to you will be demanded of you.” This became relevant to me when I decided to change my life. It was then that I realized that the more I started reading scripture and following God’s path I literally had no excuse for my actions and would be held accountable. This scares me but you say “Just be faithful”…my faith is the only thing that I have to believe that God is merciful and His love for me is unimaginable.
I have a cross in my office and it reads like this:
when I stand before God at the end of my life. I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’—Erma Bomback
P.S. I have to agree with the ladies beautiful ending to your meditation.
Very good today Father. This one spoke to my heart. I know how hard you work on these...wonderful job ;-)
ReplyDeleteI always tell my husband and sons' that St. Paul is the perfect example of God's mercy and love. He was a bad guy! Yet, God chose him and as you said 'he ran with it'. I don't like to waste time anymore. I treasure my faith and see it as a gift that I have to share. One of my favorite quotes is from G.K. Chesterton, "Let your faith be less of a theory and more of a love affair".
I usually just read your meditations and keep from commenting. Today I just wanted you to know it meant so much to me.
Peace-Stephanie
I've been away from my morning scripture reading because I've been "busy" and this reflection was my first one after deciding to get back to it. Such a wonderful powerful message. Thank you for the work you put into these reflections Fr, it means so much to me
ReplyDelete