The Importance of Being Entrusted: A Spiritual Reflection

Based on Luke 12:39-48

Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more. – Luke 12:48

Entrust

What does that word – entrust – mean? Merriam-Webster gives two definitions:

1. : to confer a trust on especially : to deliver something in trust to
2. : to commit to another with confidence

Has anyone conferred trust on you? Has anyone delivered something in trust to you? Has anyone committed with confidence something to you? In your job? As a volunteer? In your role as a friend? As a good neighbor?

When I think of the things entrusted to me by God, I’m overwhelmed. Honestly, I have to ask, “what were you thinking, Lord!?“

He has entrusted to me my wife. Not only am I to love her and care for her wellbeing, I’m entrusted with the responsibility of helping her get to Heaven. He has entrusted to me my children. He has given me the awesome, and often daunting, responsibility of shepherding 8 souls toward Heaven. He has entrusted me with countless material goods that I am to use, as much as possible, on my pilgrimage toward eternity. He has entrusted to me many friends and relatives to whom I am to show Christ’s love. He has entrusted to me a home, property, resources, and so much more.

With Confidence

Lest I despair of being entrusted with so much, that second definition gives me hope: to commit to another with confidence. The Lord has great confidence in me. The Lord has great confidence in you. Additionally, this entrustment isn’t simply Him tossing us into the deep end of the pool and wishing us luck. He is always with us. I very often forget this part.

Recently my wife stated it this way (I’m paraphrasing), “When the kids get overwhelmed with school work, I remind them that I’m here to help them. They aren’t expected to do it alone. God is the same way. He is here to help us. Just like the kids and school work, we too need to simply ask for help.“

This spoke to my heart. Too often I think that the weight of the world is on my shoulders. It’s not. That weight was placed on His shoulders 2000 years ago. He carried it as only He could. He carried it to Calvary. Planted it in the ground and it has become the Tree of Life!

When the weight of all that has been entrusted to you seems overwhelming, this image is a good one to remember. We aren’t expected to do it alone. He is here to help us, just ask.

Today’s Readings

Today’s readings show us the choices set before us when we consider what He has entrusted to us. St. Paul says it this way:

Do you not know that if you present yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Jesus says it by illustrating with two servants. One is faithful and doing all that is asked of him. When the master returns, the servant is rewarded. The other servant grows lax with what is entrusted to him. He lets his position go to his head and fails to live up to the confidence placed in him. When the master returns, he is severely punished.

There is no doubt that you and I have been entrusted with a lot! The choice, however, is ours. Will we be “slaves” to obedience or sin? Will we be faithful, justifying God’s confidence in us, or forget our place and responsibility? The choice is ours and it must be made each day.

Lest we despair, let’s remind ourselves that we are not alone. God is always present to mentor us and perfect our stewardship. Today’s Responsorial Psalm reminds us of this:

R. Our help is in the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the LORD, who did not leave us a prey to their teeth…

We were rescued like a bird from the fowlers’ snare…

Our help is in the name of the Lord who made Heaven and Earth. He made Heaven and Earth and confidently placed us in it at this moment in history. He entrusted to us our life and all it contains. Let us strive to be good stewards, ever ready for the master’s return!

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