For those who are on up their Catholic networks, we have a network in Canada called Salt and Light Media (similar to EWTN in the US). I picked up a free copy of their magazine today; it was a special issue to commemorate the election of Pope Francis earlier this year. I was reading the article about where Francis came from before his election, etc. One pericope caught my attention in particular:

. . . the Pope is Peter’s successor, the Church’s shepherd and a living example of charity, the guardian of a treasure that does not belong to him: the depositum fidei which it is responsibility to pass on to others . . . 

I thought this was such a great description, that I rewrote it to make it apply more generally to all Christians:

Christians are called to be living examples of charity, guardians of a treasure that does not belong to them: the depositum fidei (deposit of the faith) which it is their responsibility to pass on to others.

That’s a fantastic description of our responsibility and a wonderful reminder that the Gospel we hold so dear, that is so precious, is not ours to hold onto, but it is a gift to be shared, given away; it is the greatest responsibility we can ever take upon ourselves.