A Knight's Walk in the Kingdom

theophilus October 22nd, 2008

I often ponder the question – what is expected of us; specifically what is expected of me? 

It’s not an easy answer for me as I play many roles.  I’m a father, husband, son, godfather, uncle, friend, worker, coach, board member, fraternal brother, etc.; not to mention my responsibilities as an American and a Catholic.  I have expectations of me in each of these roles. 

Today’s gospel is from Luke 12 and sheds some light on my question.  Christ instructs St. Peter that -

“Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

So, I ask again what is expected of us; what is expected of me?

I’m a regular reader of In Conversation with God by Francis Fernandez.  His seven volume work provides a five-minute or so commentary for each day’s Mass reading or feast day.  Each commentary is aimed at the ordinary person trying to keep God in their daily lives (i.e. having a conversation with God).

Today’s commentary has a great passage to consider in descerning the expectations we as individuals must meet.

“How much has the Lord entrusted to us?  How many graces has He conferred on others as a result of our lives?  How many people are depending on my own correspondence with grace?  Today’s Gospel passage is a clarion call reminding us of our responsibility with regard to our proper vocation.  Each man and each woman serve as soldiers commissioned by God to guard a part of his fortress of the Universe.  Some soldiers are stationed on the walls, others in the interior of the castle.  Everyone needs to be faithful to his duty and assignment.  No one can abandon their post.  If this were to happen, then the fortress would be exposed to the assaults of hell.”

A little further in the commentary, Fr. Fernandez quotes St. Jose Maria Escriva who wrote,

“Among those around you, apostolic soul, you are the stone fallen into the lake.  With your word and example produce a first ripple . . . and it will produce another . . . and then another, and another . . . each time wider.  Now do you understand the greatness of your mission?”

So, what is expected of us?

It’s rather simple.  We’re expected to fully understand all that we have been given and blessed with by God; to maximize our gifts by fulfilling our vocation to the best of our God-given abilities; to guard our little part of God’s fortress and remain faithful to our particular duty and assignment with every ounce of strength we can muster; to produce that first ripple around us and then watch as it radiates out beyond our vision.

We as individuals matter.  Our actions and behaviors matter.  What we do day-in and day-out has consequences on ourselves and others.  The choices we make produce ripples that grow much larger than we can ever imagine or see.  We have jobs to do, choices to make, responsibilities to fulfill in every single area of our lives; and there are no freebies.  As such, we must do everything in uniformity with God’s will for us, no matter which particular role of ours we may be playing at any given moment in time.

Regardless of our station in life, God has given each of us so much.  So, much is expected of us.  We meet those high expectations by ensuring that we have God as the center of our daily lives, even in the most routine and mundane of our choices and actions.  We each have our divine duty; and God has given each of us the ability to fulfill that duty to his expectations. 

So, will we stay at our post and get our job done?  For that is ultimately what is expected of us.

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