Much Is Required

AM Psalm 55 • PM Psalm 138, 139:1-17(18-23)
Ecclus. 35:1-17 • Rev. 13:11-18 • Luke 12:32-48

My mother was not a big Bible quoter but part of Luke 12:48 was one she used whenever she would catch me in the middle of a pity party. When she heard me bemoaning my current woes, she would simply say, “from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.” With that, she left me to my lamenting about how unfair life was. Her words had the desired effect, however, because, ever curious, I would begin to ponder what she said. Obviously, she was telling me that I had been given much. Much of what? As for that “much will be required” part, I used to think that my current suffering fulfilled that requirement. 

All these years later, I still hear my mom’s voice quoting Jesus when I catch myself feeling sorry for myself or complaining about something that has sorely disappointed me. I stop to reflect on all that I have been given. I start with the “ordinary” miraculous blessings that I take for granted every day….like being able to walk, to run, to see, to hear, being healthy, having a safe and comfortable place to live…and the list goes on. I think about all the people in the world who do not share the “givens” that I have: the people of Ukraine who are the victims of unspeakable horrors, attacked for no reason other than the greed of a power hungry despot; the victims of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods who have lost their homes, their loved ones, their basic sense of security; people who are ostracized or brutalized for being different; children who have been forcefully separated from their families; those who do not have safe water to drink or enough to eat or a place to live…and that list goes on and on.  

I no longer think, as I did when I was a child, that my suffering fulfills the “much will be required” part of Jesus’ words. I must use what I have been given to meet a need somewhere, somehow, for someone. The needs of the world are so enormous, it is easy to become overwhelmed and feel small and ineffective. I humbly accept my smallness. All acts of kindness and compassion, no matter how small, have an exponential effect and contribute to the heart of the world. I remember the Starfish Story and the little boy throwing one starfish at a time back into the ocean, not discouraged at all because of so many who were in need. Knowing he cannot help them all, he acknowledges that it makes a difference to each one he does toss back into the sea. Every action taken with a compassionate heart can make a very big difference. 

Written by Deborah Griffin

...who is loving the many colors of fall foliage.