Responding to the gifts

I like all the little wisdom-sayings in Luke's Gospel. Today's Gospel reading ends with one of my favorites, the bottom line answer to Peter's question 'Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?':

When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him.

Through the years I have thought about that quite a bit. I've pretty much felt very blessed, receiving many gifts from God, for most of my adult life. Sure there have been some hard times, and some times I've felt distant from God, but the blessings have far outweighed all that. God has been so good to me, so now what can I do for God?

That sounds almost silly; after all, God can do anything God wants to do. But I suppose there are a few things I can do. I can be grateful; I can share what I have; I can reflect that grace and those blessings to the rest of the world; I can put all that to work in following God's will for my life. I can use my free will, which is a gift, to choose those things that lead me closer to God. Maybe that's what God is demanding from me, that I use all I am and all that is given to me as tools to advance the Kingdom of God.

So the question of the day is what am I really doing about all this? How am I using these gifts from God to advance God's mission for the world?

Comments

[KiwiNomad06]

One gift you have on this blog site is to make everyone welcome. So as a little hoodlum who doesn't go to Church at all often, I feel happy coming here... knowing I will be inspired but not attacked ;-)

[Patrick]

The old saying "it is more blessed to give than receive" grates a little with me. I sometimes think it is a very 'male' perspective. Surely as God's Creation our main purpose, our main response to ALL that we have been given, that we have received is to give thanks, and maybe sit or stand back in awe... and just wonder quietly "Who is this Person who loves us all so unconditionnally"? I am a parent and I have to admit loving unconditionnally is not always easy!!! I have my moments though. Yes I believe an attitude of gratefulness for all that is, is my best response to all that I have received from God.

[Patrick]

PS Thanks for ths blog Steve.

[Steve Bogner]

Kiwi - A little hoodlum!? I can't imagine that; thanks for being part of this blog.

Patrick - Oh gosh, yes we do have our moments don't we? An attitude of gratitude is a great thing to cultivate. Thanks, as always, for commenting.

[wayne]

living one's life fully is a start, since the life is an amazing gift.

having read some thoughts by Henri Nouwen on campassion last night, I would saying being compassionate is something we all can do. It is work for me since I am constantly facing my PA dutch stoicism.

[Jean]

Probably the hardest thing to do is to live each moment as a gift, not in anticipation of some future moment but being truly present in the here and now where we meet Christ...wherever we are, no matter how mundane and ordinary. In fact I think it is the only moment where we meet God. Moment to moment, no matter how broken or ordinary. Maybe that is what the eucharist tries to tell us. I am here in the bread...yes! In simple bread which is here now and gone in seconds.

[Steve Bogner]

Wayne, I agree. Compassion is a wonderful gift, one that doesn't get much use these days. It's work for all of us, I think, in different ways. Compassion in action is an even better gift...

Jean - Welcome & thanks for commenting! We certainly do meet God in the moment, when we're focused on the now, vs being concerned with the past or future.

[Jeff]

Steve,

In your case, just keep doing what you are doing here, because you do it very well, and obviously have a gift for it. Your even-headedness, even-handedness, and clear love of Christ and the Church gives this forum wide appeal to people of several different backgrounds.

[Lea]

I have found that volunteering is a good way to "give back".

[Steve Bogner]

Thanks Jeff - I appreciate that.

Lea, that's a great point! Volunteering is a great way to meet that command for 'much is expected'.

[In_spired]

Steve,

I followed your link from Dorky Dad.

Your post "Responding To The Gifts" has much to say to me. I am 67 years old and still asking "what can I do for God"?

Whatever I do, I always feel like it's not enough. I know there are times when I try to do too much. I need to follow the psalmist's words "be still and know that I am God"

I appreciate your inspiring thoughts.

[Steve Bogner]

In-spired - thanks for visiting and commenting! There's always a balance to maintain, isn't there? I've had that feeling, too, that whatever I do is not enough. But then I'm reminded - eventually - that God may not be asking me to fix all the problems, just to do what I can do. And if we all do what we can do, the possibilities are pretty exciting!

[In_spired]

Thanks for your comment on my post. When I write early in the morning, and then go back and read what I published, I'm sometimes appalled at what I've presented to the world to read!
After reading my post, I'm sure you guessed what attracted me to your blog....your comment about your TWO BEAGLES!
If you didn't scroll to the bottom of the page, I have a picture of Butch, the Lead Dog. He's our pride and joy since becoming "empty nesters".

[Fran aka Redondowriter]

I wish I had written what you just wrote, Steve. I feel the same as you, but your question is one I ponder sometimes, too. Perhaps just being a wonderful husband and father is plenty enough for this season in your life.

[Steve Bogner]

Fran, thanks for dropping by! Being and good husband & father is one of the best things I can do; and I think that is true of any husband or father. Do a good job at that, and it will have quite a good effect on the world.

[O]

Being grateful is expressed best in action and in word. It's a beautiful tension, just one more thing to be thankful for. ::thrive!

[Patrick]

Hi Steve.

Sometimes I sit back and wonder about God. S/He must sit back and be bemused by our thoughts and behaviour. Trying to figure out how best to serve him/er. I look at our wonderful children and sometimes feel that sense of wonder and bemusement when I see their efforts to "please us" when a big request is in the offing. I love being "bribed" so to speak with their charming efforts.

We know what is coming and are only too delighted when we can meet the request. It is frustrating though when it is beyond our reach at that time. Receiving these gifts of promise and their subsequent gifts/responses of thanks leaves me feeling very honoured and privileged. It is wonder-filled to be a parent of children who show their love and thanks for our efforts. It leaves me feeling humbled and awed. God must really LOVE us.

A bit like this blog at times. Well done Steve.

Looking forward to your next insight!