Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more. Lk 12:48b

Many of our politicians are well-known for "borrowing" a famous phrase and then misquoting it, mixing up the words and syntax and turning it into something quite different. President John Kennedy, for example, misquoted the end of today's Gospel when he observed, in a speech in 1961, "for of those to whom much is given, much is required". The concept of giving back, that we have a duty to use our gifts and talents for the good of all, was a common theme for JFK, and whether he was quoting today's scripture accurately or not, it is certainly one of our core Catholic values. A version even has enormous pop cultural significance, showing up in Spider-Man, when Uncle Ben tells Peter Parker, "with great power comes great responsibility".

Our responsibility, the expectation that we use our gifts well, is integral to who we are and how we affect the world.

It is easy to assume that only the very wealthy have been "entrusted with much", but that puts the emphasis of this reading on money, when it is much broader. When we consider our spiritual gifts, like the abundant grace of God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it is clear that "As each one has received a gift, (you must) use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10)

How generous has the Lord been in your life? Even in tough times, we're blessed with the infinite generosity of God. And God tasks us with putting the resources, so generously given, to work. We don't accept these gifts and then keep them for ourselves, and we don't shy away from putting them to use. If you are a gifted teacher, then teach; if you are a gifted singer, then sing! There are a wealth of gifts that God has given you, and today's scripture emphasizes that we're accountable to use them well.

We often call this process stewardship. Being good stewards of the many things we've been given. This is a common theme in Scripture, sometimes concerning money, but more often, as see here, stewardship of knowledge and understanding, of compassion and care, of serving the people around us.

This is a great power, and a great responsibility. How will you use it this week?

Did you hear they passed a law banning ice cream?

Don’t worry, it was ruled un-cone-stitutional!

Students and families, please join us for our ice cream social on Tuesday, August 22, 2022. Students will be able to meet their teachers and see their classrooms at 3:00pm followed by ice cream on the Hermitage Lot.

Saint Andrew School is looking for a dynamic Middle School math/science teacher for the 22/23 school year! Contact Principal Sarah Casavechia at sarahcasavechia@gosaintandrew.com if you are interested.

We have limited seats still available for the 2022/23 School Year!

Please contact Anne Japsen in Admissions at annejapsen@gosaintandrew.com for more information. Come join us and experience what makes our Blue Ribbon School so special. www.gosaintandrew.com