Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

In one of the books I read on ‘discerning religious life’—it offers a list of 10 things not to do while discerning. It addresses various fears, like the “fear of missing out.” But, ultimately it encourages the discerner to invite Christ into one’s heart so that fears do not overwhelm him, but that his prayer leads to trust.

Jesus tells Peter and His disciples: “Much will be required of the person entrust with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” Though it is not fear outlined in my book on discernment, I think we can fall victim to a type of “Fear of Responsibility.” Jesus is gentle, loving, and compassionate, but He also asks us to be vigilant, prepared, and He demands an account. As a result, sometimes we run from this fear and the demands, because we don’t want to fail and fall short—it can be the case that we get anxious or overwhelmed and begin to shut-down or disengage.

But, running from it or just living a comfortable life isn’t really a solution. It keeps us thinking in a narrow way and being more concerned about ourselves. When you give and extend yourself in service to others, it’s tiring, but that’s good, because it helps us transcend our selfish tendencies. At a certain point we can decide to be crippled by responsibility, leadership, and the burdens that come with it, or we can trust completely in God. When our confidence is in God, we know that whatever we are able to do, is by His strength alone, not our own efforts.

Pope Benedict XVI wrote: “Man was created for greatness—for God himself; he was created to be filled by God. But his heart is too small for the greatness to which it is destined.” The Lord has entrusted us with much, as stewards in charge of His property—let’s not turn away from the greatness of our call, especially out of fear, but let’s have total confidence that the Lord will provide us with the strength we need.

Reflection by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB