Mirrors of Trust: Reflecting on Our Reliability

When we think about living the virtues, it can seem daunting, as if embracing a “way of life” is too difficult. I will admit that it isn’t a typical conversation starter. However, if we listen to our conversations, we will likely recognize how virtuous living is the standard. That is, we like to think about how others should be trustworthy, loyal, affable, kind, generous, etc. And we can certainly measure them by these standards.  

Jesus was attuned to human nature when He taught us the lesson about seeing the splinter in our neighbor’s eye but not seeing the plank in our own. We can be quick to see the weaknesses in others and fail to see our own.  

The virtue of trustworthiness compels us to look in the mirror and examine how we embody it in our daily lives. Do we truly value what others express to us? Are we reliable with what others entrust to us? Most importantly, do we consistently live a life of truth in all things, big and small? 

Here is the heart of this virtue: to be trustworthy in small things so that we may be entrusted with more. This “more” may not be responsibilities or things to do. It is an interior space for ‘more’—more of God’s love and grace, more mercy and forgiveness, more of the desire to decrease, being more aware of the ways we need to be worthy of the trust of others. This brings us full circle to the beginning—to measure others as we, too, wish to be measured, and to be honest with ourselves where the plank blinds us. How do you live the virtue of trustworthiness?