To Whom Much is Entrusted, Much is Expected.

  If God entrusts something to you, you are expected to take care of and nurture it.  That implies that God has or will give you the capacity to do so.  We may feel inadequate in our God-given responsibilities.  Being a parent is one of those things that exemplifies this.  Be it one kid or many, it is easy to feel inadequate.  Imagine being Joseph.

   You are entrusted to be the virginal father of the Son of God and to be the husband to the Immaculate Virgin.  You are entrusted with two that are easily greater than you.  Yet, you are given authority over them.  This seems odd, but the authority was given to you in service of them.  If something happens to them though, you are their protector.  Fail and you have failed God in your greatest mission in life.

   Don’t we feel like that sometimes?  But we were not given the capacity to do as Joseph.  We are given the capacity to do as we should.  Not that it lessens our responsibility.  Our responsibility is ours and if we fail, others suffer.  The salvation of the world does not rely on us, but the salvation of the souls entrusted to us does rely on us.  Sure, they have free will, but we are responsible for doing our best to aid in their acceptance of salvation.

   This does not only apply to parents.  We are all examples to the world.  Indeed, the world needs good examples at this time.  To be negligent to these responsibilities of ours, we are putting souls in jeopardy.  Afraid of people hating you because you wanted what is best for them?  That is what we are all called to do.  Indeed, parents experience this reality, so there is no reason to be afraid.  We need to do so out of love.  Only then, will it change the world.

   Joseph, you were entrusted with much for the salvation of all souls, please help us with those entrusted to us and those we can help towards salvation in the eternal peace of Heaven. Amen.