Entrusted With Much…

Dear Ones,

Happy Feast Day of Saint John Capistrano. He is the Patron Saint of Military Chaplains.

Happy Wednesday. Please join me in praying for good men to join the Chaplaincy. We need Catholic Priests to serve the military. If you knew how taxed our Priest was. Sigh. Saint John Capistrano PRAY FOR US!Let us ponder the Gospel of Luke today… Specifically Luke 12:48. Here are a couple translations:

“Much will be required of the person entrusted with much.” or “To whom much is given, much will be required.” What does it mean?

If we have been blessed with talents, wealth, knowledge, time, and the like, it is expected that we benefit others.

When I was young, people used to always tell me that as a leader, others looked up to me so it was so important I act a certain way, dress appropriately, etc. I used to think the things school administration, teachers, and my parents & grandparents said to me were manipulative. But you know what, they were for my own good – mostly. I say mostly, because… I am the person who puts a LOT of pressure on myself to get things right. I am a naturally anxious person who likes for things to go a certain way (aka a Control Freak)… So much so, it’s a regular item in confession because at this point I am so stressed out with it, my quality of life can be diminished by it.

I say to you all, MUCH HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO ALL CHRISTIANS! Yes yes it has. We must be vigilant in our faith. We must memorize prayers and parables, and as much of the Bible as we can. Why, you ask? Uh – because we don’t know when Jesus is coming back to get us and we need to get this right. In today’s reading from Saint Luke (12:39-48) the bottom line is – those of us who know better are held to a higher standard and WILL be punished for not doing the right things in a much harsher way than those who do not know.

We must remember we are sealed by God and have made vows, through our Confirmation as Catholics to be disciples and live a Godly life – to the best of our ability.

Additionally, I believe these verses tell us what not to do – but in a bigger way, they tell us what to do. And I tell you – no matter where you live, you must do for others. You must live like the Saints before us. You must buy that cup of coffee for a stranger, or pick up the items someone dropped, give clothes, groceries or even cash to those who don’t have. All of them, no matter what they look like, no matter what you THINK they may have or may do with the items you give them – YOU MUST serve them as if you were serving the Lord.

My grandmother and all the influencers in my life, taught me to do for others. I love to serve…. and I’m good at it. Truly – it’s such a blessing! I can’t always spend $$, but I can give my time and talent for CCD or in volunteering in umpteen ways. And remember… I don’t do things because I always want to or because I am a great person. I do things because GOD said to do them…. The Glory is GODS! Trust me.

I leave you with two things.

We serve a forgiving God. But forgiveness is NOT an excuse to go sin. We, through the Sacrament of Confession, promise to try our best NOT to sin.
We must be vigilant.