Storage Issues (10/23/24)

I’ve been watching the squirrels this fall with its banner crop of walnuts. They are struggling to find places to store their finds. I had a squirrel scale my porch screening to reach the elbow of the downspout to store his most recent find. And this year I have seen more frequently than ever windowsills of houses and buildings used as pantry shelves by these furry creatures. This fall, storage, it seems, is an issue. And Jesus’ words in today’s gospel comes to mind: “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)

Our LORD showers us with love, grace, and gifts. How do we use them? What do we make of them? Are we using them wisely and for love of our LORD and one another? Are we giving thanks for them and seeking guidance so that we might open them and use them fully and as the LORD willed? Or are we simply storing them up?

I’ve caught myself so many times “storing” rather than opening and using. I must admit I am guilty of the Scarlet Option, you know, “Tomorrows another day; I’ll think about it tomorrow.” But life has taught me that tomorrows aren’t promised. I am working on addressing things more immediately, on discerning the LORD’s gifts as I discover them and using them. And over all of this is the realization that I have been saved by my loving LORD. This great gift demands much. How am I managing that? It is a gift that calls me to share that which I did not earn with others. This isn’t a gift to “store;” this is a gift to share.

I had a teacher years ago who told me that her favorite thing about real Christians is the realization that the Good News isn’t really theirs to horde but theirs to share. A good Christian, one who recognizes the gift of Christ, seeks to bring that to others, to share it with others. Christianity is a “Bring a friend” path; it was never meant to be selfish.

So, as we go forward this day in faith, buoyed by hope, and fueled by love, let us not hide our light under a basket or put our joy in our pockets. Let us live boldly and openly our calling, let us share the faith and seek to be instrumental in building up the Body in love.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.