I offer this day to you,
dear God.
Thank you for the blessings
you have given me.
May I use these gifts
to build your kingdom.
May my actions be a reflection
of your love.
May what I do today
bring others closer to you.
May my words be kind and gentle
and may they bring joy to others.
Today, help me to give back a portion
of what you have given to me.
I ask this in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
We Dare Not Take God's Gifts for Granted
In the Gospel According to Mark (Mk 10:46-52), Jesus says to Bartimaeus, a blind man, "What do you want me to do for you?" Bartimaeus answers, "Master, I want to see."
Sight, like everything else we possess, is a gift from God. We don't earn it or deserve it. We receive it. Most of us receive the gift of sight at the same time we receive the gift of life. It's like the premium package that comes with a new car: automatic transmission, power steering, brakes and door locks, an audio system with CD changer and more. The package most of us were born with included the gifts of sight and hearing and speech -- and many other natural gifts that we take for granted every day.
Bartimaeus didn't receive the gift of sight when he was born. As a result of that birth defect, and whatever other personal troubles he experienced growing up, his lot in life was to sit by the roadside begging. Then he encountered Jesus. Mark's Gospel says that he heard that it was Jesus. There was nothing wrong with his hearing. In fact, like many sightless people, he probably had especially good hearing. So he cried out, "Jesus, son of David have pity on me."
The people around him told him to be quiet. But he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me." Until Jesus heard him and told the disciples to "Call him." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage; get up; Jesus is calling you." At which point the blind man jumped up, threw off his coat and ran to Jesus.
"What do you want me to do?" Jesus says. I want the gift of sight, Bartimaeus answers. "Go your way; your faith has saved you," Jesus tells him. Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
No more roadside begging for Bartimaeus. He followed Jesus on the way. That means he became a disciple, a follower of Jesus, and "the way" is the disciple’s path, the way of the Cross, the road that all of us who seek to follow Jesus must take -- each in our own way.
When Bartimaeus received the gift of sight and decided to follow Jesus "on the way," he became a Christian steward -- one who receives God's gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them generously with others and returns them to the Lord with increase. These are the characteristics of a Christian steward that are described in the American bishops' pastoral letter, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response.
What does the experience of Bartimaeus teach us today? If we have received a gift from God - or many, many gifts from God - it’s our responsibility to say thank you. And to take good care of our gifts. And to share them generously with other people.
The story of Bartimaeus also reminds us that the Church is a gift that no one "deserves" or "earned" or is "entitled to." We received this Church from God and from all the people who worked so hard during the past 2000 years to build up the Body of Christ and to establish and sustain our local Churches with all their parishes, schools and Catholic institutions (and including all the wonderful facilities, staffs and ministries) that are now available to people throughout the world.
Catholics are generous people. Many participate actively in the ministries and community life of our Church. Many serve the needs of others within their parishes and far beyond individual parish and diocesan boundaries. Many support their diocese's annual appeal and the collections that support the Church's work nationally and internationally. And a growing number of adults, youth and children in various regions of the world now see themselves as faithful stewards of the gifts God has given us.
The story of Bartimaeus reminds us that we dare not take any of God's gifts for granted. If we want our parishes to be vibrant communities of faith, we must participate in our Church's mission. If we want our children and youth to receive an outstanding Catholic education, we must support our parish formation programs and our schools. If we want good pastors and beautiful liturgy and the kind of ministries that can only be found in a dynamic community of faith, we must pray for vocations and encourage talented young people to respond generously to God's call. Above all, we must continue to be good and faithful stewards of all God's gifts (spiritual and material).
All it takes to be a good steward is the same courage that Bartimaeus showed when he threw off his coat and ran blindly to Jesus. And when the Lord asks us, "What do you want me to do for you," our response should be: Help us to see how blessed we are! Then Jesus will say to each of us: Go your way; your faith has saved you. Then it will be our turn to follow Jesus on the way.
Copyright © 2009, Daniel Conway
Sight, like everything else we possess, is a gift from God. We don't earn it or deserve it. We receive it. Most of us receive the gift of sight at the same time we receive the gift of life. It's like the premium package that comes with a new car: automatic transmission, power steering, brakes and door locks, an audio system with CD changer and more. The package most of us were born with included the gifts of sight and hearing and speech -- and many other natural gifts that we take for granted every day.
Bartimaeus didn't receive the gift of sight when he was born. As a result of that birth defect, and whatever other personal troubles he experienced growing up, his lot in life was to sit by the roadside begging. Then he encountered Jesus. Mark's Gospel says that he heard that it was Jesus. There was nothing wrong with his hearing. In fact, like many sightless people, he probably had especially good hearing. So he cried out, "Jesus, son of David have pity on me."
The people around him told him to be quiet. But he kept calling out all the more, "Son of David, have pity on me." Until Jesus heard him and told the disciples to "Call him." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage; get up; Jesus is calling you." At which point the blind man jumped up, threw off his coat and ran to Jesus.
"What do you want me to do?" Jesus says. I want the gift of sight, Bartimaeus answers. "Go your way; your faith has saved you," Jesus tells him. Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
No more roadside begging for Bartimaeus. He followed Jesus on the way. That means he became a disciple, a follower of Jesus, and "the way" is the disciple’s path, the way of the Cross, the road that all of us who seek to follow Jesus must take -- each in our own way.
When Bartimaeus received the gift of sight and decided to follow Jesus "on the way," he became a Christian steward -- one who receives God's gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, shares them generously with others and returns them to the Lord with increase. These are the characteristics of a Christian steward that are described in the American bishops' pastoral letter, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response.
What does the experience of Bartimaeus teach us today? If we have received a gift from God - or many, many gifts from God - it’s our responsibility to say thank you. And to take good care of our gifts. And to share them generously with other people.
The story of Bartimaeus also reminds us that the Church is a gift that no one "deserves" or "earned" or is "entitled to." We received this Church from God and from all the people who worked so hard during the past 2000 years to build up the Body of Christ and to establish and sustain our local Churches with all their parishes, schools and Catholic institutions (and including all the wonderful facilities, staffs and ministries) that are now available to people throughout the world.
Catholics are generous people. Many participate actively in the ministries and community life of our Church. Many serve the needs of others within their parishes and far beyond individual parish and diocesan boundaries. Many support their diocese's annual appeal and the collections that support the Church's work nationally and internationally. And a growing number of adults, youth and children in various regions of the world now see themselves as faithful stewards of the gifts God has given us.
The story of Bartimaeus reminds us that we dare not take any of God's gifts for granted. If we want our parishes to be vibrant communities of faith, we must participate in our Church's mission. If we want our children and youth to receive an outstanding Catholic education, we must support our parish formation programs and our schools. If we want good pastors and beautiful liturgy and the kind of ministries that can only be found in a dynamic community of faith, we must pray for vocations and encourage talented young people to respond generously to God's call. Above all, we must continue to be good and faithful stewards of all God's gifts (spiritual and material).
All it takes to be a good steward is the same courage that Bartimaeus showed when he threw off his coat and ran blindly to Jesus. And when the Lord asks us, "What do you want me to do for you," our response should be: Help us to see how blessed we are! Then Jesus will say to each of us: Go your way; your faith has saved you. Then it will be our turn to follow Jesus on the way.
Copyright © 2009, Daniel Conway
Resources for Parish Bulletins - November 2009
A Stewardship Moment
English Version:
For the weekend of October 31 / November 1, 2009
The Solemnity of All Saints
In today’s Gospel Jesus begins the “Sermon on the Mount,”
with the “Beatitudes.” Many Christian commentators believe
these short messages of comfort and hope address the essence
of living a life in Christ. But what does it mean for the
Christian steward to be poor in spirit, to hunger for justice,
to be meek, clean of heart, or be a peacemaker? To embrace
Christian stewardship is to live the Beatitudes, and to turn society’s
expectations upside down, to live by different values,
a different set of standards. What can we do today to be good
stewards of the Beatitudes?
For the weekend of November 7/8, 2009
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Times
Jesus points out to his disciples the poor widow who has just
dropped two simple copper coins into the temple treasury. He
then delivers a teaching on stewardship. Despite her poverty,
the poor widow in today’s Gospel does not refuse God her
generosity. Out of her desperately impoverished life she contributes
to an earthly institution to give God glory and praise.
It is not the monetary value of the gift that was important, but
the love, trust and gratitude expressed through the gift. The
Gospel asks us similarly compelling stewardship questions:
What do we value? In what or whom do we place our trust?
How do our own contributions to our community of faith reflect
our generosity toward God?
For the weekend of November 14/15, 2009
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
How would you spend your day if you knew it was the last
day you would spend on earth? Undoubtedly, it would not
be a normal day. The point of today’s Gospel reading is that
the end-time is always imminent. The good steward remains
prayerfully alert, ready to give an accounting; and living each
day in the awareness of the coming judgment and salvation.
How do we exercise stewardship over our daily lives? Are we
prepared to give an accounting? How will we allow Christ to
work in and through us to prepare for the reconciliation of
the heavens and the earth?
For the weekend of November 21/22, 2009
Solemnity of Christ the King
Today’s Gospel reading records, arguably, the most important
exchange in all of literature, the one between Jesus and Pilate.
While Pilate presumes the conversation is about an earthly,
political “king,” Jesus, by contrast, suggests to Pilate that he is
that “faithful witness” of a wholly transcendent kingship, one
that is envisioned by Daniel and the reading from the Book
of Revelations. As we approach the Advent season, this week
would be a good time to reflect on how we understand our
role as stewards of this transcendent kingship and how we
can better serve Christ to bring about this new kingdom.
For the weekend of November 28/29
First Sunday of Advent
A profound stewardship blessing is offered by St. Paul to the
Thessalonians in today’s second reading. He encourages the
community to continue to show loving concern for its members
and to care for the needs of others. We witness for the
first time the spirituality of stewardship at work in a New Testament
community that is putting the Eucharist into action.
An Advent spirit prevails that is transforming and filled with
hope for the coming of the Lord Jesus. What are we doing to
promote this spirit of stewardship in our personal lives and in
our community of faith?
Para el fin de semana del 31 de octubre/ 1º de noviembre de 2009
Solemnidad de Todos los Santos
En el Evangelio de hoy Jesús inicia el “Sermón en la Montaña,”
con las “Bienaventuranzas.” Muchos comentaristas Cristianos
creen que estos pequeños mensajes de consuelo y esperanza
hablan de la esencia de vivir una vida en Cristo. Pero, ¿qué
significa para el Cristiano corresponsable ser pobre en espíritu,
tener hambre de justicia, ser humilde, limpio de corazón, o ser
un conciliador de paz? Abrazar la corresponsabilidad Cristiana es
vivir las Bienaventuranzas, y tornar al revés las expectativas de la
sociedad; vivir con valores diferentes, y disponer otros estándares.
¿Qué podemos hacer hoy para ser buenos corresponsables de las
Bienaventuranzas?
Para el fin de semana del 7/8 de noviembre de 2009
Trigésimo Segundo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
Jesús habla a sus discípulos acerca de la pobre viuda que depositó
dos sencillas monedas de cobre en el cofre del templo. Él ilustra
con esta narración, la enseñanza sobre la corresponsabilidad. A
pesar de su pobreza, la pobre viuda en el Evangelio de hoy no
rechaza su generosidad para Dios. Aún en su desesperada vida,
empobrecida, ella contribuye a una institución terrenal para
dar gloria y alabanza a Dios. Lo más importante no es el valor
monetario, sino el amor, la confianza y la gratitud expresados
a través de la donación. De la misma manera el Evangelio
nos hace persuasivas preguntas de corresponsabilidad: ¿qué
valoramos nosotros? ¿En qué, o en quién ponemos nuestra
confianza? ¿Cómo reflejan nuestra generosidad hacia Dios, las
contribuciones que hacemos a nuestra comunidad de fe?
Para el fin de semana del 14/15 de noviembre de 2009
Trigésimo Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
¿Cómo viviría su día, si supiera que este es su último día de
vida en la tierra? Indudablemente, este no sería un día normal.
El punto de la lectura del Evangelio de hoy es que el final
del tiempo es siempre inminente. El buen corresponsable
permanece piadosamente en alerta, listo para dar cuentas, y
vivir cada día en conocimiento del juicio y la salvación por
venir. ¿Cómo ejercitamos diariamente la corresponsabilidad
en nuestras vidas? ¿Estamos preparados para entregar cuentas?
¿Cómo permitiremos a Cristo trabajar en nosotros, y a través de
nosotros, en la preparación para la reconciliación de los cielos
y la tierra?
Para el fin de semana del 21/22 de noviembre de 2009
Solemnidad de Cristo Rey
La lectura del Evangelio de hoy registra, posiblemente el
intercambio de información más importante en toda la literatura,
el diálogo entre Jesús y Pilatos. Pilatos asume la conversación
en términos terrenales, “rey” político; Jesús, por el contrario,
sugiere a Pilatos que él es ese “testimonio verdadero” de un
reino totalmente trascendente, aquel que es anunciado por
Daniel y la lectura del Libro de las Revelaciones. Esta semana,
al aproximarse, la estación de Adviento, podría ser un buen
momento para reflexionar acerca de cómo entendemos nuestro
rol como corresponsables de este reino trascendente y cómo
podemos servir mejor a Cristo para traer este nuevo reino.
Para el fin de semana de 28/29 de noviembre de 2009
Primer Domingo de Adviento
En la segunda lectura de hoy, San Pablo ofrece una profunda
bendición a los Tesalonicenses. Él impulsa a la comunidad a
continuar mostrando amorosa preocupación por sus miembros
y a cuidar de las necesidades de otros. Nosotros atestiguamos
por primera vez la espiritualidad de la corresponsabilidad en
el trabajo, en una comunidad del Nuevo Testamento que está
poniendo la Eucaristía en acción. Prevalece en ella un espíritu
de Adviento que transforma y llena con anticipación la venida
del Señor Jesús. ¿Qué estamos haciendo para promover este
espíritu de corresponsabilidad en nuestras vidas personales y en
nuestra comunidad de fe?
Source: ICSC November e-newsletter
English Version:
For the weekend of October 31 / November 1, 2009
The Solemnity of All Saints
In today’s Gospel Jesus begins the “Sermon on the Mount,”
with the “Beatitudes.” Many Christian commentators believe
these short messages of comfort and hope address the essence
of living a life in Christ. But what does it mean for the
Christian steward to be poor in spirit, to hunger for justice,
to be meek, clean of heart, or be a peacemaker? To embrace
Christian stewardship is to live the Beatitudes, and to turn society’s
expectations upside down, to live by different values,
a different set of standards. What can we do today to be good
stewards of the Beatitudes?
For the weekend of November 7/8, 2009
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Times
Jesus points out to his disciples the poor widow who has just
dropped two simple copper coins into the temple treasury. He
then delivers a teaching on stewardship. Despite her poverty,
the poor widow in today’s Gospel does not refuse God her
generosity. Out of her desperately impoverished life she contributes
to an earthly institution to give God glory and praise.
It is not the monetary value of the gift that was important, but
the love, trust and gratitude expressed through the gift. The
Gospel asks us similarly compelling stewardship questions:
What do we value? In what or whom do we place our trust?
How do our own contributions to our community of faith reflect
our generosity toward God?
For the weekend of November 14/15, 2009
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
How would you spend your day if you knew it was the last
day you would spend on earth? Undoubtedly, it would not
be a normal day. The point of today’s Gospel reading is that
the end-time is always imminent. The good steward remains
prayerfully alert, ready to give an accounting; and living each
day in the awareness of the coming judgment and salvation.
How do we exercise stewardship over our daily lives? Are we
prepared to give an accounting? How will we allow Christ to
work in and through us to prepare for the reconciliation of
the heavens and the earth?
For the weekend of November 21/22, 2009
Solemnity of Christ the King
Today’s Gospel reading records, arguably, the most important
exchange in all of literature, the one between Jesus and Pilate.
While Pilate presumes the conversation is about an earthly,
political “king,” Jesus, by contrast, suggests to Pilate that he is
that “faithful witness” of a wholly transcendent kingship, one
that is envisioned by Daniel and the reading from the Book
of Revelations. As we approach the Advent season, this week
would be a good time to reflect on how we understand our
role as stewards of this transcendent kingship and how we
can better serve Christ to bring about this new kingdom.
For the weekend of November 28/29
First Sunday of Advent
A profound stewardship blessing is offered by St. Paul to the
Thessalonians in today’s second reading. He encourages the
community to continue to show loving concern for its members
and to care for the needs of others. We witness for the
first time the spirituality of stewardship at work in a New Testament
community that is putting the Eucharist into action.
An Advent spirit prevails that is transforming and filled with
hope for the coming of the Lord Jesus. What are we doing to
promote this spirit of stewardship in our personal lives and in
our community of faith?
Un Momento de Corresponsabilidad
Spanish Version:Para el fin de semana del 31 de octubre/ 1º de noviembre de 2009
Solemnidad de Todos los Santos
En el Evangelio de hoy Jesús inicia el “Sermón en la Montaña,”
con las “Bienaventuranzas.” Muchos comentaristas Cristianos
creen que estos pequeños mensajes de consuelo y esperanza
hablan de la esencia de vivir una vida en Cristo. Pero, ¿qué
significa para el Cristiano corresponsable ser pobre en espíritu,
tener hambre de justicia, ser humilde, limpio de corazón, o ser
un conciliador de paz? Abrazar la corresponsabilidad Cristiana es
vivir las Bienaventuranzas, y tornar al revés las expectativas de la
sociedad; vivir con valores diferentes, y disponer otros estándares.
¿Qué podemos hacer hoy para ser buenos corresponsables de las
Bienaventuranzas?
Para el fin de semana del 7/8 de noviembre de 2009
Trigésimo Segundo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
Jesús habla a sus discípulos acerca de la pobre viuda que depositó
dos sencillas monedas de cobre en el cofre del templo. Él ilustra
con esta narración, la enseñanza sobre la corresponsabilidad. A
pesar de su pobreza, la pobre viuda en el Evangelio de hoy no
rechaza su generosidad para Dios. Aún en su desesperada vida,
empobrecida, ella contribuye a una institución terrenal para
dar gloria y alabanza a Dios. Lo más importante no es el valor
monetario, sino el amor, la confianza y la gratitud expresados
a través de la donación. De la misma manera el Evangelio
nos hace persuasivas preguntas de corresponsabilidad: ¿qué
valoramos nosotros? ¿En qué, o en quién ponemos nuestra
confianza? ¿Cómo reflejan nuestra generosidad hacia Dios, las
contribuciones que hacemos a nuestra comunidad de fe?
Para el fin de semana del 14/15 de noviembre de 2009
Trigésimo Tercer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
¿Cómo viviría su día, si supiera que este es su último día de
vida en la tierra? Indudablemente, este no sería un día normal.
El punto de la lectura del Evangelio de hoy es que el final
del tiempo es siempre inminente. El buen corresponsable
permanece piadosamente en alerta, listo para dar cuentas, y
vivir cada día en conocimiento del juicio y la salvación por
venir. ¿Cómo ejercitamos diariamente la corresponsabilidad
en nuestras vidas? ¿Estamos preparados para entregar cuentas?
¿Cómo permitiremos a Cristo trabajar en nosotros, y a través de
nosotros, en la preparación para la reconciliación de los cielos
y la tierra?
Para el fin de semana del 21/22 de noviembre de 2009
Solemnidad de Cristo Rey
La lectura del Evangelio de hoy registra, posiblemente el
intercambio de información más importante en toda la literatura,
el diálogo entre Jesús y Pilatos. Pilatos asume la conversación
en términos terrenales, “rey” político; Jesús, por el contrario,
sugiere a Pilatos que él es ese “testimonio verdadero” de un
reino totalmente trascendente, aquel que es anunciado por
Daniel y la lectura del Libro de las Revelaciones. Esta semana,
al aproximarse, la estación de Adviento, podría ser un buen
momento para reflexionar acerca de cómo entendemos nuestro
rol como corresponsables de este reino trascendente y cómo
podemos servir mejor a Cristo para traer este nuevo reino.
Para el fin de semana de 28/29 de noviembre de 2009
Primer Domingo de Adviento
En la segunda lectura de hoy, San Pablo ofrece una profunda
bendición a los Tesalonicenses. Él impulsa a la comunidad a
continuar mostrando amorosa preocupación por sus miembros
y a cuidar de las necesidades de otros. Nosotros atestiguamos
por primera vez la espiritualidad de la corresponsabilidad en
el trabajo, en una comunidad del Nuevo Testamento que está
poniendo la Eucaristía en acción. Prevalece en ella un espíritu
de Adviento que transforma y llena con anticipación la venida
del Señor Jesús. ¿Qué estamos haciendo para promover este
espíritu de corresponsabilidad en nuestras vidas personales y en
nuestra comunidad de fe?
Source: ICSC November e-newsletter
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