We Give Back to God, In an Unequal Exchange, the Gift of His Love
Clearly, it is only through God’s generosity that man, the beggar, who receives a wealth of divine gifts, is yet able to offer something to God as well; that God makes it possible for us to accept His gifts by making us capable of becoming givers ourselves in His regard. – Pope Benedict XVI
During the Advent and Christmas seasons, we give and receive many gifts. Advent is a time of preparation, a time of joyful hope and confident expectation. Hope is a gift—an especially precious gift during times of uncertainty and despair. Joy is also a gift. It gladdens our weary hearts and allows us to let go of life’s many burdens, if only for a moment.
We have gifts to share with others because God has been generous to us. He has given us life. All that we possess (our material and spiritual gifts) first came to us because God loves us, because He freely shares with us His life (grace) and the fruits of His labor (creation). We have gifts to share with others because God first shared these gifts with us
.
Pope Benedict reminds us that God is love. Divine love does not exist only for itself. “By nature,” the Holy Father says, God’s love “wants to pour itself out.” This is the Christmas story. God so loved the world that He sent His only Son. (Jn) God’s love could not contain itself. It overflowed and became incarnate. God so loved us that He became one with us.
This is the mystery—and the profound joy—of Christmas. Christ, the Son of God, “stepped outside the framework of His divinity, took flesh and became man” the pope says, “not merely to confirm the world in its worldliness” but to effect a profound change, to transform the world, and each one of us, by the power of His love.
When we celebrate Advent, we look forward in hope. And when Christmas comes, we discover that our hope has been transformed. It has become love incarnate.
We have gifts to share with one another because Christ has given Himself to us. We have the power to give back to God “with increase” because God has invited us to be the stewards of His bounty and to nurture all His gifts and grow them out of gratitude for His love.
The danger is that we will neglect the gifts we have received from God and that we will become complacent and fail to share them with others. This is the tendency to worldliness that Jesus has warned against (Jn17:16). It is the temptation to regard all our gifts and possessions as rightfully ours—not gifts at all but the results of our own efforts, our own exclusive property.
Miserly, self-centeredness is the spirit of Scrooge; it is not the spirit of Christmas. The God who loves us gives generously without measuring what we deserve. He does not hold back. He shares freely out of an abundance of love.
To be like Him, we must let go of what we think we own. We must give until it liberates us from the weight of the world. We must share until it connects us with each other and with God.
Yes, the exchange between us and God is unequal. We could never hope to return to Him in equal measure all that He has given to us. That’s why the Lord challenges us to proportionate giving. And it’s why He invites us to give sacrificially as a sign that we know how blessed we are and how much we have to share with others.
Pope Benedict says that “the Church owes her whole being to this unequal exchange.” We have nothing of our own to give this Christmas. We have only what Christ has first given to us—inviting us to take care of, and share, the gifts He has given us out of love.
This Advent let’s treasure the gift of hope and share it generously with all who are tempted to despair. And when Christmas comes, let’s not hold anything back. Let’s spread joy and love and peace with great generosity—as though we had much more of these precious gifts than we knew what to do with!
God gives us more than we can ever give back in return. May His generosity inspire us to celebrate this holy season with an outpouring of God’s unending love.
Source: Copyright © 2011, Daniel Conway
Permission is given to copy and distribute this Good Steward Newsletter for use in religious or educational settings provided that proper attribution is given to the author. This publication may not be sold or distributed to the general public without the express permission of the author.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
A Stewardship Moment
Second Sunday of Advent
Weekend of December 3/4, 2011
Today’s second reading is about Christ’s coming again,
“The day of the Lord,” Peter calls it, but that day isn’t December
25th. It’s that other day, that second-coming-day
about which Peter is concerned. He waits with great hope
and anticipation for God to remake the earth into a place
of perfect justice and peace. And he sets some demanding
goals for the Christian community as it awaits that final
day of accounting and reconciliation: strive to be at
peace, without spot or blemish. Christian stewards work
for peace. As we await the coming of Christmas, what can
we do to promote peace in our homes, workplaces, community,
world?
Third Sunday of Advent
Weekend of December 10/11, 2011
In today’s second reading Paul concludes his letter to the
Christian community at Thessalonica by providing it with
actions to take as they wait for the return of the Lord. The
first action is to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances.
This sounds easy but it’s not. The two words that
make this task difficult are “always” and “all”. This means
giving thanks and rejoicing even when our circumstances
are not always moments of joy and thanksgiving, or when
we are confronted with a broken world. Prayerful stewards
rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances because they
are people of hope. A good reflection this week would be
how the season of Advent can give you reason to hope.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Weekend of December 17/18, 2011
In today’s Gospel reading we hear proclaimed the story of
the Annunciation, when the angel of the Lord announced
to Mary that she would give birth to Christ through the
intercession of the Holy Spirit. Mary allowed God’s messenger
to speak to her. She was attentive, not afraid to enter
into a dialogue, then unconditionally obedient. Mary’s
acceptance of this mystery is a stewardship model for us.
Good stewards remain open to the incursions of divine life
into the normal course of their daily lives. How open are
we to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our own lives?
What might we do this last week of Advent to be more attentive
to the Lord?
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day)
Sunday, December 25, 2011
In today’s Christmas Mass at dawn we hear from the Gospel
reading that God has entered quietly into the world.
Not into the great city of Jerusalem, but into a small village
about five miles south. Not into a noble family, but to
an outcast couple keeping the newborn in a manger. Not
announced by royal edicts, but to common shepherds, the
first human heralds of Christ’s birth.
As Christian stewards we simply allow Christ to live in us
no matter what our circumstances happen to be. We allow
Christ to share his love with us and reflect that love out
to others. We now are the heralds of Christ’s Incarnation.
What an unimaginable gift from a generous Lord.Good
stewards rejoice in this gift and give glory to God.
Source: International Catholic Stewardship Council December Newsletter, 2011
Weekend of December 3/4, 2011
Today’s second reading is about Christ’s coming again,
“The day of the Lord,” Peter calls it, but that day isn’t December
25th. It’s that other day, that second-coming-day
about which Peter is concerned. He waits with great hope
and anticipation for God to remake the earth into a place
of perfect justice and peace. And he sets some demanding
goals for the Christian community as it awaits that final
day of accounting and reconciliation: strive to be at
peace, without spot or blemish. Christian stewards work
for peace. As we await the coming of Christmas, what can
we do to promote peace in our homes, workplaces, community,
world?
Third Sunday of Advent
Weekend of December 10/11, 2011
In today’s second reading Paul concludes his letter to the
Christian community at Thessalonica by providing it with
actions to take as they wait for the return of the Lord. The
first action is to rejoice always and give thanks in all circumstances.
This sounds easy but it’s not. The two words that
make this task difficult are “always” and “all”. This means
giving thanks and rejoicing even when our circumstances
are not always moments of joy and thanksgiving, or when
we are confronted with a broken world. Prayerful stewards
rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances because they
are people of hope. A good reflection this week would be
how the season of Advent can give you reason to hope.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Weekend of December 17/18, 2011
In today’s Gospel reading we hear proclaimed the story of
the Annunciation, when the angel of the Lord announced
to Mary that she would give birth to Christ through the
intercession of the Holy Spirit. Mary allowed God’s messenger
to speak to her. She was attentive, not afraid to enter
into a dialogue, then unconditionally obedient. Mary’s
acceptance of this mystery is a stewardship model for us.
Good stewards remain open to the incursions of divine life
into the normal course of their daily lives. How open are
we to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our own lives?
What might we do this last week of Advent to be more attentive
to the Lord?
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day)
Sunday, December 25, 2011
In today’s Christmas Mass at dawn we hear from the Gospel
reading that God has entered quietly into the world.
Not into the great city of Jerusalem, but into a small village
about five miles south. Not into a noble family, but to
an outcast couple keeping the newborn in a manger. Not
announced by royal edicts, but to common shepherds, the
first human heralds of Christ’s birth.
As Christian stewards we simply allow Christ to live in us
no matter what our circumstances happen to be. We allow
Christ to share his love with us and reflect that love out
to others. We now are the heralds of Christ’s Incarnation.
What an unimaginable gift from a generous Lord.Good
stewards rejoice in this gift and give glory to God.
Source: International Catholic Stewardship Council December Newsletter, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Catholic Steward: Stewardship Education and Best Practices
Fr. Allan McDonald: First Fruits or Just Leftovers?
There’s no accounting for taste, they say. The poet James Russell Lowell enthused, “And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days.” However, I’ll go with November every time. The summer heat has broken and the leaves are turning their bright autumn colors, but except in the Far North the winter cold is still to come.
For most of the country, the fall also brings the completion of harvest. Although most Americans live in urban areas and many of us seldom even see a farm, the foods we all eat – fruits and vegetables, meats, milk, and the grain for our bread – come from farms and ranches across American and around the world. We may feel far away from farm life and think that the harvest has little to do with us, but we are connected with agriculture more closely than we realize. How the harvest goes affects the prices we pay; and if the harvest were to fail completely, there would soon be nothing available to put on our grocery shelves.
In the Old Testament world, most people were farmers, and the Israelites were to bring offerings to God from the harvest of their fields and flocks. The success of the harvest directly affected their wellbeing during the next year. At their agricultural festivals, “the measure of your own freewill offering shall be in proportion to the blessing the Lord, your God, has bestowed on you” (Dt 16:10) they were told.
So it is for us. We may not have a harvest of fruits or grains, but we do receive a return for our own labor, whether it be in a factory, an office, a classroom, or wherever. And, as stewards, we also are invited by God to return a portion to Him for His glory and our own spiritual welfare, in proportion to the blessings we have received.
As stewards, it’s ultimately a choice we make. Are we going to hoard everything we get, or are we going to give back to God a portion of what He gives us? When we give back to God, will we return just what’s left over after everything else is paid, or will our gifts have a higher priority? The Israelites brought the “first fruits of the various products” (Ex 26:2) they raised. The first fruits, rather than the leftovers. Is that the choice I will make? Is that the choice you will make?
Source: TheCatholicSteward.com Blog
There’s no accounting for taste, they say. The poet James Russell Lowell enthused, “And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days.” However, I’ll go with November every time. The summer heat has broken and the leaves are turning their bright autumn colors, but except in the Far North the winter cold is still to come.
For most of the country, the fall also brings the completion of harvest. Although most Americans live in urban areas and many of us seldom even see a farm, the foods we all eat – fruits and vegetables, meats, milk, and the grain for our bread – come from farms and ranches across American and around the world. We may feel far away from farm life and think that the harvest has little to do with us, but we are connected with agriculture more closely than we realize. How the harvest goes affects the prices we pay; and if the harvest were to fail completely, there would soon be nothing available to put on our grocery shelves.
In the Old Testament world, most people were farmers, and the Israelites were to bring offerings to God from the harvest of their fields and flocks. The success of the harvest directly affected their wellbeing during the next year. At their agricultural festivals, “the measure of your own freewill offering shall be in proportion to the blessing the Lord, your God, has bestowed on you” (Dt 16:10) they were told.
So it is for us. We may not have a harvest of fruits or grains, but we do receive a return for our own labor, whether it be in a factory, an office, a classroom, or wherever. And, as stewards, we also are invited by God to return a portion to Him for His glory and our own spiritual welfare, in proportion to the blessings we have received.
As stewards, it’s ultimately a choice we make. Are we going to hoard everything we get, or are we going to give back to God a portion of what He gives us? When we give back to God, will we return just what’s left over after everything else is paid, or will our gifts have a higher priority? The Israelites brought the “first fruits of the various products” (Ex 26:2) they raised. The first fruits, rather than the leftovers. Is that the choice I will make? Is that the choice you will make?
Source: TheCatholicSteward.com Blog
Friday, September 2, 2011
Stewardship Reflections for the Weekly Readings
Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Weekend of September 3/4, 2011
In Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans he suggests that God lavishes his love upon us through Jesus Christ, who calls us to the kind of loving relationship, if we so choose it, that demands accountability. It is like, in Saint Paul’s vocabulary, a kind of "debt" that we can never "pay-in-full." But we begin to repay by following the direction of one of the most familiar statements in the Bible: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Good stewards realize that God does not call them just to love those who are easy to love, but to love the unloved and the hard-to-love people in this world as well. This week, remind yourself: "I am put here as an ambassador of God’s love."
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Weekend of September 10/11, 2011
Today’s Gospel reading continues Jesus’ instructions on being good stewards of others – the direction that if we love Jesus Christ, we must forgive an individual 77 times. The reading compels us to consider one of the most difficult practices of Christian discipleship. Forgiveness is the way of Jesus, the way of the cross. Vengeance, bitterness and hatred seem so much easier and certainly more desirable. Forgiveness is a hard road to travel, but it is the only road that leads to life in Christ. Consider this week who you need to forgive.
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Weekend of September 17/18, 2011
From an early age, we tend to distort the concept of "fairness": "I am good. I deserve good things. I am not receiving good things. Something must be wrong. Who’s going to fix it?" We also know the age-old expression: "Who ever said life was fair?" Jesus knew this expression when he offered his parable in today’s Gospel reading. Christian stewards acknowledge, with humility, that they receive good things from the Lord in abundance; even if these gifts are not the ones they think they need when they need them. Consider which servants you identify with most in the Gospel reading, the ones who demand "fairness", or that final servant who, seemingly, deserves the least.
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Weekend of September 24/25, 2011
Saint Augustine, a doctor of the church, once wrote that the first, second, and third most important attitude in Christianity is humility. In today’s second reading, Saint Paul is concerned with how we conduct ourselves in our community of faith. He urges us to let our conduct be worthy of the Gospel we say that we believe; and that it all begins with humility. He asks us to consider others better than ourselves, and to serve them by looking out for their best interest, not ours. Consider how Saint Paul’s appeal to imitating Christ’s humility can enhance your relationships.
Source: International Catholic Stewardship Council
In Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans he suggests that God lavishes his love upon us through Jesus Christ, who calls us to the kind of loving relationship, if we so choose it, that demands accountability. It is like, in Saint Paul’s vocabulary, a kind of "debt" that we can never "pay-in-full." But we begin to repay by following the direction of one of the most familiar statements in the Bible: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Good stewards realize that God does not call them just to love those who are easy to love, but to love the unloved and the hard-to-love people in this world as well. This week, remind yourself: "I am put here as an ambassador of God’s love."
Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Weekend of September 10/11, 2011
Today’s Gospel reading continues Jesus’ instructions on being good stewards of others – the direction that if we love Jesus Christ, we must forgive an individual 77 times. The reading compels us to consider one of the most difficult practices of Christian discipleship. Forgiveness is the way of Jesus, the way of the cross. Vengeance, bitterness and hatred seem so much easier and certainly more desirable. Forgiveness is a hard road to travel, but it is the only road that leads to life in Christ. Consider this week who you need to forgive.
Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Weekend of September 17/18, 2011
From an early age, we tend to distort the concept of "fairness": "I am good. I deserve good things. I am not receiving good things. Something must be wrong. Who’s going to fix it?" We also know the age-old expression: "Who ever said life was fair?" Jesus knew this expression when he offered his parable in today’s Gospel reading. Christian stewards acknowledge, with humility, that they receive good things from the Lord in abundance; even if these gifts are not the ones they think they need when they need them. Consider which servants you identify with most in the Gospel reading, the ones who demand "fairness", or that final servant who, seemingly, deserves the least.
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Weekend of September 24/25, 2011
Saint Augustine, a doctor of the church, once wrote that the first, second, and third most important attitude in Christianity is humility. In today’s second reading, Saint Paul is concerned with how we conduct ourselves in our community of faith. He urges us to let our conduct be worthy of the Gospel we say that we believe; and that it all begins with humility. He asks us to consider others better than ourselves, and to serve them by looking out for their best interest, not ours. Consider how Saint Paul’s appeal to imitating Christ’s humility can enhance your relationships.
Source: International Catholic Stewardship Council
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Stewardship Reflection
Although many in our culture deny any responsibility for the wrong they do, God does not see it that way. We may claim social ills or ignorance caused us to do evil, but the Lord declares, “The wicked shall die for his guilt.” Our words and deeds have consequences, and there are choices we can make that God sees as sinful.
But God does not want us to choose sin, and so we have the responsibility of warning the sinner, firmly but gently, of the results of his actions. If we’re the one who has been hurt, Jesus tells us to seek reconciliation privately first of all, but if that does not work, then bring in others. But ignoring sin is not an option, for then it grows and festers.
The steward is accountable to God for his use of the time, talent, and treasure entrusted to him. One aspect of being accountable is responsibility for fellow members of the Body of Christ. Offering correction, in a way that can be understood and accepted, comes with the territory. Otherwise, as the Lord announced through Ezekiel, “The wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death.”
Source: The Catholic Steward Newsletter
But God does not want us to choose sin, and so we have the responsibility of warning the sinner, firmly but gently, of the results of his actions. If we’re the one who has been hurt, Jesus tells us to seek reconciliation privately first of all, but if that does not work, then bring in others. But ignoring sin is not an option, for then it grows and festers.
The steward is accountable to God for his use of the time, talent, and treasure entrusted to him. One aspect of being accountable is responsibility for fellow members of the Body of Christ. Offering correction, in a way that can be understood and accepted, comes with the territory. Otherwise, as the Lord announced through Ezekiel, “The wicked shall die for his guilt, but I will hold you responsible for his death.”
Source: The Catholic Steward Newsletter
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Msgr. Thomas McGread: Receiving, Cultivating and Sharing Your Gifts
The parable of the talents in Matthew’s Gospel is familiar to most of us. In fact, many of us have probably been told of its stewardship message time and again. But in my blog post today, I want to hit on a portion of that Gospel’s message that I believe is particularly important and pertinent as we all strive to live stewardship today.
In this parable, Jesus tells of a man who goes on a journey and entrusts his servants with his money while he’s gone.
“The one who received five talents came forward bringing the additional five … Then, the one who had received two talents also came forward and sad, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See I have made two more” (Mt. 25: 20, 22).
To both of these servants, the Master replies: “Well done my good and faithful servant… come, share your master’s joy… For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich.”
What does this mean for us as stewards of God’s gifts today? He expects us to cultivate and develop the gifts He has given us and return them with increase. And for what? It is definitely not for His sake, but for ours. He knows that in doing so we will become better people and grow deeper in our faith.
To illustrate that reality, I would like to tell a story.
When I was pastor of St. Francis Parish in Wichita, Kan., one of the things we did to encourage young people to live stewardship as a way of life is offer free organ lessons. In exchange for the lessons, the youth were asked to serve as organists at Mass. It worked wonders. Numerous young people signed up for the lessons, and the parish gained a few organists out of the deal.
This wasn’t a clever rouse to obtain free organists for the parish, though it might seem that way at first. In fact, I saw this as an opportunity to help the young parishioners identify a God-given talent, develop it, and give it back to God in service – all very important elements in the stewardship way of life. It was an opportunity for a hands-on life lesson, and it warms my heart to see how much of an impact that one small decision, that one little opportunity has had on the lives of some of those who took it.
Mindy Hatzmann, the daughter of St. Francis parishioners Carolyn and Dan Loughman, was one such youth. She spent time during her fifth-grade year learning to play. Mindy took to the organ quite well. It was obvious that she did indeed have a great talent, and the lessons were helping her cultivate it. In addition to practicing during her school recesses, Mindy played the organ for Sunday Masses, and she developed, not only a musical talent, but an understanding of how important it is for us to recognize the gifts God has given us, cultivate them, and, then, return them with increase to the Lord. As she continued to play the organ, she became a better organist and, in turn, as she gave back to the Lord by using her talent to serve the Church. Ultimately, she became a more faith-filled Catholic.
“I fell more deeply in love with the Mass the more I played,” Mindy once told me. “I began to understand a lot more about our Faith, and the more I used my God-given talent to serve, the more I understood about why God calls us to be good stewards.”
Today, many years later, as a wife and mother, Mindy’s life continues to bear witness to the importance of recognizing, cultivating, and returning our God-given gifts as she continues to use her talents to serve the Lord. The Church has benefitted through the years from the beautiful music Mindy has played that turned many people’s hearts to God. The Church also continues to benefit, as Mindy not only continues to serve herself, but as she raises her children to be grateful, giving stewards, as well.
I highlight Mindy’s story not to pinpoint a decision I made at pastor, nor, for that matter, to pat Mindy on the back (though I do believe she and her husband deserve to be recognized for the decisions they’ve made and the life of stewardship that they live). I wanted to call your attention to Mindy’s story because it bears witness to two of the most important aspects of the stewardship way of life – cultivating our gifts and returning them with increase to the Lord.
God has given each one of us many gifts. If we cultivate them responsibly, and then return them to the Lord in grateful service, we are sure to grow in faith and we are sure to bring many others closer to the Lord as well. That is the beauty of discipleship lived through stewardship – it builds the Church.
I challenge each and every one of you to follow suit. Then, God-willing, one day you, too, will hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come, share your master’s joy.”
Source: The Catholic Steward, June 23, 2011
In this parable, Jesus tells of a man who goes on a journey and entrusts his servants with his money while he’s gone.
“The one who received five talents came forward bringing the additional five … Then, the one who had received two talents also came forward and sad, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See I have made two more” (Mt. 25: 20, 22).
To both of these servants, the Master replies: “Well done my good and faithful servant… come, share your master’s joy… For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich.”
What does this mean for us as stewards of God’s gifts today? He expects us to cultivate and develop the gifts He has given us and return them with increase. And for what? It is definitely not for His sake, but for ours. He knows that in doing so we will become better people and grow deeper in our faith.
To illustrate that reality, I would like to tell a story.
When I was pastor of St. Francis Parish in Wichita, Kan., one of the things we did to encourage young people to live stewardship as a way of life is offer free organ lessons. In exchange for the lessons, the youth were asked to serve as organists at Mass. It worked wonders. Numerous young people signed up for the lessons, and the parish gained a few organists out of the deal.
This wasn’t a clever rouse to obtain free organists for the parish, though it might seem that way at first. In fact, I saw this as an opportunity to help the young parishioners identify a God-given talent, develop it, and give it back to God in service – all very important elements in the stewardship way of life. It was an opportunity for a hands-on life lesson, and it warms my heart to see how much of an impact that one small decision, that one little opportunity has had on the lives of some of those who took it.
Mindy Hatzmann, the daughter of St. Francis parishioners Carolyn and Dan Loughman, was one such youth. She spent time during her fifth-grade year learning to play. Mindy took to the organ quite well. It was obvious that she did indeed have a great talent, and the lessons were helping her cultivate it. In addition to practicing during her school recesses, Mindy played the organ for Sunday Masses, and she developed, not only a musical talent, but an understanding of how important it is for us to recognize the gifts God has given us, cultivate them, and, then, return them with increase to the Lord. As she continued to play the organ, she became a better organist and, in turn, as she gave back to the Lord by using her talent to serve the Church. Ultimately, she became a more faith-filled Catholic.
“I fell more deeply in love with the Mass the more I played,” Mindy once told me. “I began to understand a lot more about our Faith, and the more I used my God-given talent to serve, the more I understood about why God calls us to be good stewards.”
Today, many years later, as a wife and mother, Mindy’s life continues to bear witness to the importance of recognizing, cultivating, and returning our God-given gifts as she continues to use her talents to serve the Lord. The Church has benefitted through the years from the beautiful music Mindy has played that turned many people’s hearts to God. The Church also continues to benefit, as Mindy not only continues to serve herself, but as she raises her children to be grateful, giving stewards, as well.
I highlight Mindy’s story not to pinpoint a decision I made at pastor, nor, for that matter, to pat Mindy on the back (though I do believe she and her husband deserve to be recognized for the decisions they’ve made and the life of stewardship that they live). I wanted to call your attention to Mindy’s story because it bears witness to two of the most important aspects of the stewardship way of life – cultivating our gifts and returning them with increase to the Lord.
God has given each one of us many gifts. If we cultivate them responsibly, and then return them to the Lord in grateful service, we are sure to grow in faith and we are sure to bring many others closer to the Lord as well. That is the beauty of discipleship lived through stewardship – it builds the Church.
I challenge each and every one of you to follow suit. Then, God-willing, one day you, too, will hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come, share your master’s joy.”
Source: The Catholic Steward, June 23, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Stewardship Reflection
Fr. Michael Troha: What Will God Ask Us?
We all get e-mails forwarded to us from family and friends from time to time. The jokes, videos, photos and sometimes inspirational messages oftentimes give us something to think about.
I once received a PowerPoint e-mail from a priest friend who is a retired Air Force chaplain, and it relates perfectly to what living the stewardship way of life is all about.
We will leave out the pictures and leave you with the words from:
“10 Things God Won’t Ask You on That Day“:
1. God won’t ask you what kind of car you drove. He’ll ask you how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.
2. God won’t ask the square footage of your house. He’ll ask you how many people you welcomed into your home.
3. God won’t ask you about the clothes you had in your closet. He’ll ask you how many people you helped clothe.
4. God won’t ask you what your highest salary was. He’ll ask you if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5. God won’t ask you what your job title was. He’ll ask you if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6. God won’t ask you how many friends you had. He’ll ask you how many people you befriended.
7. God won’t ask you in what neighborhood you lived. He’ll ask you how you treated your neighbors.
8. God won’t ask you about the color of your skin. He’ll ask you about the content of your character.
9. God won’t ask you why it took you so long to seek salvation. He’ll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven.
10. God won’t have to ask you how many people you spread this message to. He’ll already know.
God constantly gives us so many gifts. Living stewardship as a way of life helps us to share what we been given by God.
Source: The Catholic Steward.com : Stewardship Education, Advice and Best Practices, June 16, 2011
We all get e-mails forwarded to us from family and friends from time to time. The jokes, videos, photos and sometimes inspirational messages oftentimes give us something to think about.
I once received a PowerPoint e-mail from a priest friend who is a retired Air Force chaplain, and it relates perfectly to what living the stewardship way of life is all about.
We will leave out the pictures and leave you with the words from:
“10 Things God Won’t Ask You on That Day“:
1. God won’t ask you what kind of car you drove. He’ll ask you how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.
2. God won’t ask the square footage of your house. He’ll ask you how many people you welcomed into your home.
3. God won’t ask you about the clothes you had in your closet. He’ll ask you how many people you helped clothe.
4. God won’t ask you what your highest salary was. He’ll ask you if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5. God won’t ask you what your job title was. He’ll ask you if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6. God won’t ask you how many friends you had. He’ll ask you how many people you befriended.
7. God won’t ask you in what neighborhood you lived. He’ll ask you how you treated your neighbors.
8. God won’t ask you about the color of your skin. He’ll ask you about the content of your character.
9. God won’t ask you why it took you so long to seek salvation. He’ll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven.
10. God won’t have to ask you how many people you spread this message to. He’ll already know.
God constantly gives us so many gifts. Living stewardship as a way of life helps us to share what we been given by God.
Source: The Catholic Steward.com : Stewardship Education, Advice and Best Practices, June 16, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Stewardship Bulletin Announcements
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Thursday, June 2 or Weekend of June 4/5, 2011
In today’s gospel Jesus charges his followers to "make disciples of all nations." What exactly is going on here? What is this Great Commission anyway? Good stewards know they are directed to share what they exercise stewardship over: their life of faith in Christ Jesus. They know Jesus didn’t direct them to go to church but to keep quiet about it; or to go out into the neighborhood, workplace or marketplace and just be nice. Christ’s Good News is meant to be shared. Many people in our communities don’t know about Jesus Christ. Does that bother us? Do we care? Do we realize we are supposed to do something about it?
Seventh Sunday of Easter
(If Solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension is celebrated Thursday, June 2)
Weekend of June 4/5, 2011
In today’s second reading, we hear it proclaimed that we are blessed if we share in the sufferings of Christ. What then does it mean to "share in His sufferings" in this context? Most of us do not live in a part of the world where we could be killed for being a follower of Jesus. But we could face or "suffer" mockery, ridicule and disapproval from others. Far too often, and for various reasons, those who profess faith in Christ act as though they are ashamed of him. But to act ashamed is the same as a denial. Stewards of the Good News are never ashamed to reveal their love for the Lord.
Pentecost SundayJune 12, 2011
This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit among the believers of the early Church. Saint Paul reminds us of the special power the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon us and how that power gives us the potential to live extraordinary lives of faith. Good stewards recognize this power and use their gifts, through God’s channel of grace, to transform their lives and the lives of others, and thus hasten God’s Kingdom. Good stewards know that it is through the Holy Spirit that they can proclaim: "Jesus is Lord."
Weekend of June 18/19, 2011The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
In today’s second reading Saint Paul’s final appeal is a call for unity. God created that unity. Good stewards who share Christ’s life in the Eucharist belong to each other, just as God in the three persons of Father, Son and Holy Spirit enjoy unity. We are an intimate part of God’s divine bond, God’s "family." Saint Paul maintains that we ought to act that way. In the Church there is a bond of family, yet plenty room for variety. Christian stewards use their uniquely varied gifts to live a Trinitarian faith, in unity, promoting Christ’s peace and justice. How do we promote unity in our parish?
June 26, 2011Solemnity of the Most Holy Bodyand Blood of Christ
Among the compelling Eucharistic themes proclaimed in today’s readings is the notion of "participation" as found in Saint Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Good stewards are part of a Eucharistic family: loving, welcoming, serving. An important part of living as a steward comes about in the many ways we can participate in the life of the Church. No matter how much time we have to give, no matter what our skills or interests, no matter what our level of commitment, there is a way to participate as a good steward to enrich our lives, and build up the Body of Christ.
Source: June 2011 ICSC Parish-enews
Thursday, June 2 or Weekend of June 4/5, 2011
In today’s gospel Jesus charges his followers to "make disciples of all nations." What exactly is going on here? What is this Great Commission anyway? Good stewards know they are directed to share what they exercise stewardship over: their life of faith in Christ Jesus. They know Jesus didn’t direct them to go to church but to keep quiet about it; or to go out into the neighborhood, workplace or marketplace and just be nice. Christ’s Good News is meant to be shared. Many people in our communities don’t know about Jesus Christ. Does that bother us? Do we care? Do we realize we are supposed to do something about it?
Seventh Sunday of Easter
(If Solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension is celebrated Thursday, June 2)
Weekend of June 4/5, 2011
In today’s second reading, we hear it proclaimed that we are blessed if we share in the sufferings of Christ. What then does it mean to "share in His sufferings" in this context? Most of us do not live in a part of the world where we could be killed for being a follower of Jesus. But we could face or "suffer" mockery, ridicule and disapproval from others. Far too often, and for various reasons, those who profess faith in Christ act as though they are ashamed of him. But to act ashamed is the same as a denial. Stewards of the Good News are never ashamed to reveal their love for the Lord.
Pentecost SundayJune 12, 2011
This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit among the believers of the early Church. Saint Paul reminds us of the special power the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon us and how that power gives us the potential to live extraordinary lives of faith. Good stewards recognize this power and use their gifts, through God’s channel of grace, to transform their lives and the lives of others, and thus hasten God’s Kingdom. Good stewards know that it is through the Holy Spirit that they can proclaim: "Jesus is Lord."
Weekend of June 18/19, 2011The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
In today’s second reading Saint Paul’s final appeal is a call for unity. God created that unity. Good stewards who share Christ’s life in the Eucharist belong to each other, just as God in the three persons of Father, Son and Holy Spirit enjoy unity. We are an intimate part of God’s divine bond, God’s "family." Saint Paul maintains that we ought to act that way. In the Church there is a bond of family, yet plenty room for variety. Christian stewards use their uniquely varied gifts to live a Trinitarian faith, in unity, promoting Christ’s peace and justice. How do we promote unity in our parish?
June 26, 2011Solemnity of the Most Holy Bodyand Blood of Christ
Among the compelling Eucharistic themes proclaimed in today’s readings is the notion of "participation" as found in Saint Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Good stewards are part of a Eucharistic family: loving, welcoming, serving. An important part of living as a steward comes about in the many ways we can participate in the life of the Church. No matter how much time we have to give, no matter what our skills or interests, no matter what our level of commitment, there is a way to participate as a good steward to enrich our lives, and build up the Body of Christ.
Source: June 2011 ICSC Parish-enews
Friday, April 29, 2011
The Science of Counting Blessings by Steve Foran
Social scientists are finally catching on to something that Christian stewards have known for centuries, namely: gratitude is beneficial to us as individuals and as a society. In fact, the results of ongoing gratitude research show promise in overcoming “the real world” challenges in building more vibrant communities and parishes. “The real world” is often seen as the place where we suffer lack of funding, too few resources, attitudes of indifference towards the church ... the list goes on and on. Regardless of the positive steps that parishes may undertake, unfortunately, people can remain fixated on a problem which often leads to a downward spiral.
The solution to “the real world” challenges is Christian stewardship which is now backed by scientific evidence. Researchers have found that if people simply count their blessings instead of their burdens, it increases their overall wellbeing.
The research has concluded that those who recorded their blessings felt better about their lives, had greater expectations and optimism for the coming week, had fewer symptoms of physical illness, spent more time exercising and were more likely to have helped someone.
There is a simple gold nugget in the research that reinforces the importance of Christian stewardship: Counting our blessings helps us live out our baptismal call as Christian disciples in a more vibrant and life-giving way. It is unlikely that the research comes as a surprise to anyone who embraces stewardship as a way of life, but how many of us actually take the time to write down our blessings each and every day?
In the spirit of the Easter season, I offer this simple two-part challenge in the hopes it will further renew your attitude and enliven your spirit. Part one ... each day write down three things for which you are grateful. You will successfully make this a habit if you find a time (morning, evening, lunch) and a place (in a journal, on your office calendar) that works for you.
What you record is too good to keep to yourself, which leads to part two ... at some point during the day, as part of a regular conversation, share what you wrote with someone else. Make a conversation of it by asking the other person what they are grateful for and why. This is very simple and easy to do and you will be glad you did.
(Steve Foran serves parishes and dioceses in making stewardship a way of life. He can be reached through his website at giveraising.com.)
Editors note – For further information on the study of gratitude and its positive effects, check out the research of Robert A. Emmons, professor of psychology at the University of California-Davis, pioneer in the research on gratitude and one of the leading scholars in positive psychology. He is the author of Thanks: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2007). Another scholar who studies gratitude is Michael E. McCullough, professor of psychology at the University of Miami and director of its Evolution and Human Behavior Laboratory.
The solution to “the real world” challenges is Christian stewardship which is now backed by scientific evidence. Researchers have found that if people simply count their blessings instead of their burdens, it increases their overall wellbeing.
The research has concluded that those who recorded their blessings felt better about their lives, had greater expectations and optimism for the coming week, had fewer symptoms of physical illness, spent more time exercising and were more likely to have helped someone.
There is a simple gold nugget in the research that reinforces the importance of Christian stewardship: Counting our blessings helps us live out our baptismal call as Christian disciples in a more vibrant and life-giving way. It is unlikely that the research comes as a surprise to anyone who embraces stewardship as a way of life, but how many of us actually take the time to write down our blessings each and every day?
In the spirit of the Easter season, I offer this simple two-part challenge in the hopes it will further renew your attitude and enliven your spirit. Part one ... each day write down three things for which you are grateful. You will successfully make this a habit if you find a time (morning, evening, lunch) and a place (in a journal, on your office calendar) that works for you.
What you record is too good to keep to yourself, which leads to part two ... at some point during the day, as part of a regular conversation, share what you wrote with someone else. Make a conversation of it by asking the other person what they are grateful for and why. This is very simple and easy to do and you will be glad you did.
(Steve Foran serves parishes and dioceses in making stewardship a way of life. He can be reached through his website at giveraising.com.)
Editors note – For further information on the study of gratitude and its positive effects, check out the research of Robert A. Emmons, professor of psychology at the University of California-Davis, pioneer in the research on gratitude and one of the leading scholars in positive psychology. He is the author of Thanks: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2007). Another scholar who studies gratitude is Michael E. McCullough, professor of psychology at the University of Miami and director of its Evolution and Human Behavior Laboratory.
A Stewardship Moment
Second Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday Weekend of April 30 / May 1, 2011
In today’s first reading, the four activities of the earliest church are introduced to us as priorities of the church: devotion to the teachings of the apostles, communal fellowship, the Eucharist and prayer. The early members of the church saw themselves as devoted stewards of these activities. These were not options. They were the fruits of a genuine conversion to a life in Christ. Sharing in the Eucharist was the most intimate expression of fellowship while the most common expression of fellowship in the New Testament was that of sharing financial resources – giving. It was not a perfect community, but one that gave evidence of God’s active presence in its midst. This early community offers us an excellent example of how to better exercise stewardship in our own parish families.
Third Sunday of Easter • Weekend of May 7 / 8, 2011
As today’s gospel reveals, the first meal shared with the risen Lord happened in a place called Emmaus. Perhaps there is no better time to reflect on this story than in those prayerful moments at mass when we return to our place after receiving Holy Communion. Those few moments give us an opportunity to reflect on our stewardship of Christ’s presence within us. We have a chance to practice hospitality by inviting Jesus into our hearts to walk and talk with us about our own Emmaus journey. We can relive once again the time when he broke bread for the disciples. And just as they did, we too can recognize Christ in this meal we have just shared with others.
Fourth Sunday of Easter • Weekend of May 14 / 15, 2011
In today’s first reading Peter tells his listeners that if they want to follow Jesus they must go against the world, to become what Christian stewards would consider "countercultural." For stewards, being countercultural can consist of surprisingly small decisions—small acts of reorientation to remind them daily that in spite of their life situation, their citizenship, financial status, or color of their skin, they belong, through their baptism, to a new world order in Jesus Christ. Stewards understand that their daily choices should witness to his gospel, not to the trends, attitudes or spending practices of their culture. Stewardship requires us to ask of our daily habits: "In the light of the Gospel, is this important?"
Fifth Sunday of Easter • Weekend of May 21 / 22, 2011
In the first letter of Peter, we are taught that God made us and chose us to reveal to the world who he is. Christian stewards understand that they do not live for themselves. They live to be stewards of Christ’s presence within them, and to make his presence known to others. They do it at mass. They do it in faith-sharing groups. They do it at work. And they do it daily in a thousand different ways; and where they express their love for God and others in a manner that suits their situation and personality. Name for yourself some of the ways this week you will make Christ’s presence known to others.
Sixth Sunday of Easter • Weekend of May 28 / 29, 2011
In today’s gospel we go back in time to listen to Jesus as he gives instructions at the Last Supper. His words speak to all of us as he is preparing us to be sent out into the world to proclaim his Good News. The gift of the Holy Spirit is poured out upon the entire community of faith to do this work, not just a few. No one is to be excluded. Are we inclusive of everyone in our community? Are there those we choose to exclude because we don’t like them?
Source: ICSC May Newsletter
In today’s first reading, the four activities of the earliest church are introduced to us as priorities of the church: devotion to the teachings of the apostles, communal fellowship, the Eucharist and prayer. The early members of the church saw themselves as devoted stewards of these activities. These were not options. They were the fruits of a genuine conversion to a life in Christ. Sharing in the Eucharist was the most intimate expression of fellowship while the most common expression of fellowship in the New Testament was that of sharing financial resources – giving. It was not a perfect community, but one that gave evidence of God’s active presence in its midst. This early community offers us an excellent example of how to better exercise stewardship in our own parish families.
Third Sunday of Easter • Weekend of May 7 / 8, 2011
As today’s gospel reveals, the first meal shared with the risen Lord happened in a place called Emmaus. Perhaps there is no better time to reflect on this story than in those prayerful moments at mass when we return to our place after receiving Holy Communion. Those few moments give us an opportunity to reflect on our stewardship of Christ’s presence within us. We have a chance to practice hospitality by inviting Jesus into our hearts to walk and talk with us about our own Emmaus journey. We can relive once again the time when he broke bread for the disciples. And just as they did, we too can recognize Christ in this meal we have just shared with others.
Fourth Sunday of Easter • Weekend of May 14 / 15, 2011
In today’s first reading Peter tells his listeners that if they want to follow Jesus they must go against the world, to become what Christian stewards would consider "countercultural." For stewards, being countercultural can consist of surprisingly small decisions—small acts of reorientation to remind them daily that in spite of their life situation, their citizenship, financial status, or color of their skin, they belong, through their baptism, to a new world order in Jesus Christ. Stewards understand that their daily choices should witness to his gospel, not to the trends, attitudes or spending practices of their culture. Stewardship requires us to ask of our daily habits: "In the light of the Gospel, is this important?"
Fifth Sunday of Easter • Weekend of May 21 / 22, 2011
In the first letter of Peter, we are taught that God made us and chose us to reveal to the world who he is. Christian stewards understand that they do not live for themselves. They live to be stewards of Christ’s presence within them, and to make his presence known to others. They do it at mass. They do it in faith-sharing groups. They do it at work. And they do it daily in a thousand different ways; and where they express their love for God and others in a manner that suits their situation and personality. Name for yourself some of the ways this week you will make Christ’s presence known to others.
Sixth Sunday of Easter • Weekend of May 28 / 29, 2011
In today’s gospel we go back in time to listen to Jesus as he gives instructions at the Last Supper. His words speak to all of us as he is preparing us to be sent out into the world to proclaim his Good News. The gift of the Holy Spirit is poured out upon the entire community of faith to do this work, not just a few. No one is to be excluded. Are we inclusive of everyone in our community? Are there those we choose to exclude because we don’t like them?
Source: ICSC May Newsletter
Monday, April 4, 2011
Stewardship Reflection for April 24, 2011
The Resurrection of the Lord - Easter Sunday April 24, 2011 The reading from the Acts of the Apostles reminds us that we, too, bear witness to the risen Lord. The presence of Christ is within us, making us new, transforming us, turning us into stewards of the Good News. There is no more time for holding grudges, disliking others, seeking vengeance, maintaining old prejudices, tolerating bias. We are Christ’s joy and instruments of his peace. Our world is reordered. Reflect on how we are called to let Christ’s forgiveness, reconciliation and love permeate our lives. We are Easter people. Rejoice! He is risen! Alleluia! Source: ICSC April Newsletter
Stewardship Reflection for April 23, 2011
The Resurrection of the Lord – Easter Vigil April 23, 2011 In tonight’s reading from Saint Paul’s letter to the Romans, we are reminded that we are alive in Christ. And it is not merely once a year that we remember what Jesus did to give us this new life, forgiveness and peace. Every day good stewards remember their baptism. They remember that they are united with Jesus in his death; that daily they drown the old sinful nature, and that daily they rise to their new life in Christ. Let us be mindful every day, especially when we are troubled by life or tempted by sin, that our lives are no longer about us, but about Christ’s active, loving presence within us. That is our baptism. Alleluia! He is risen! Source: ICSC April Newsletter
Stewardship Reflection for April 17, 2011
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Weekend of April 16/17, 2011 In Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians he makes clear that Christ “emptied himself.” He was not “full of himself.” Jesus embraced the characteristics of humility, service and obedience to carry out the will of the Father. Christian stewards know that there is no room for the Lord in a life that is full of oneself. Christian stewards follow Christ’s example by taking on the characteristics of humility, servanthood and obedience. Our culture does not reward this attitude. But God exalts those stewards who for His sake, empty themselves. It is only when we empty ourselves that there is room for God to work within us. Source: ICSC April Newsletter
Stewardship Reflection for April 10, 2011
Fifth Sunday of Lent Weekend of April 9/10, 2011 In today’s reading, Martha, a close friend of Jesus, professes her faith in him even in her grief: “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world.” Good stewards are friends of Jesus and profess their belief in him regularly, even when they are on the very brink of their faith. They know that death is not the last word; that Jesus is an agent of change; that faithful stewards never die. Are we friends of Jesus? Do we actually believe the Creed we profess? Do we believe Christ has the power to transform our lives? To give us eternal life? Source: ICSC April Newsletter
Stewardship Reflections for April 3, 2011
Fourth Sunday of Lent Weekend of April 2/3, 2011 Saint Paul gives us a wake up call. As stewards of the light of Christ, we are to reflect that light with the help of the Holy Spirit. If Christ’s work has transformed and illuminated our lives, there should be a change. The light of Christ’s active presence should be at work in us. And as the light shines within us, we take on the properties of that light and we shine too. We are used by God to shine the light of Christ in the lives of others. A challenging Lenten reflection: Is the light of Christ shining in our hearts? Is the light of Christ reflecting out from us to others? Source: ICSC April Newsletter
Friday, March 4, 2011
Almsgiving: An Expression of Gratitude
Adapted from an article by Jim Lamm,
Director of Stewardship
St. Louis Catholic Church, Austin, Texas
When we look at the three traditional “disciplines”
of Lent, prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we know that
almsgiving gets the least attention. Yet, the Bible places
emphasis firmly on almsgiving: “Prayer and fasting are
good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied
by righteousness … It is better to give alms than to
store up gold; for almsgiving saves one from death and
expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms shall
enjoy a full life” (Tobit 12:8-9).
Almsgiving is simply an expression of our gratitude for
all that God has given us, and a realization that as a
member of a community of faith, it is never just “me
and God.” For disciples of the Lord, almsgiving means
much more than simply throwing a little change in the
poor box. It is an attitude of generosity. It challenges us
to examine how we are using our time, abilities, and
money to better the lives of those around us. It urges us
to share what we have been given by God with others
in love and justice. It reminds us that Jesus blesses those
who seek to be “poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3).
Almsgiving opens our hearts to the realization that God
blesses us through those we serve. It is here that we find the
great mystery of Christian service. We see God in the life
of Jesus, and we see Jesus in all those who are in need of
our care. Look around, see those who are in need, and ask
God to take away those obstacles and distractions that keep
us from being generous with them. In turn, we will receive
Christ’s blessing, a blessing we need to receive.
Almsgiving Ideas for Lent
• Show an act of kindness to someone you don’t
speak to often.
• Visit an elderly person who may be lonely.
• Reflect on the regular contributions you make to
the parish. Could you do more?
• Do an extra chore for your parents one day each
week during Lent.
• Go through your closet and find some clothes in
good shape to give away to other children who
are in need of clothes.
• Write a letter or create a card for someone who
is sick or might be lonely.
• Buy some cans of food to give to a food bank or
soup kitchen.
• Talk with your family about eating one simple
meal each week of Lent and putting the money
you save in the Operation Rice Bowl box.
• Donate personal possessions, such as clothes,
books, or shoes to people in need.
• Volunteer to clean the yard or wash windows for
an elderly person in your neighborhood.
• Prepare a meal or baked goods for the soup
kitchen or homeless shelter.
• Gather some friends to help volunteer at a local
soup kitchen.
• Make a gift to the diocesan annual appeal.
• Volunteer to read books and magazines to
the elderly.
• Volunteer to tutor children.
• Donate diapers, formula, baby clothing, baby
furniture, and maternity clothing to a local crisis
pregnancy center.
Director of Stewardship
St. Louis Catholic Church, Austin, Texas
When we look at the three traditional “disciplines”
of Lent, prayer, fasting and almsgiving, we know that
almsgiving gets the least attention. Yet, the Bible places
emphasis firmly on almsgiving: “Prayer and fasting are
good, but better than either is almsgiving accompanied
by righteousness … It is better to give alms than to
store up gold; for almsgiving saves one from death and
expiates every sin. Those who regularly give alms shall
enjoy a full life” (Tobit 12:8-9).
Almsgiving is simply an expression of our gratitude for
all that God has given us, and a realization that as a
member of a community of faith, it is never just “me
and God.” For disciples of the Lord, almsgiving means
much more than simply throwing a little change in the
poor box. It is an attitude of generosity. It challenges us
to examine how we are using our time, abilities, and
money to better the lives of those around us. It urges us
to share what we have been given by God with others
in love and justice. It reminds us that Jesus blesses those
who seek to be “poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3).
Almsgiving opens our hearts to the realization that God
blesses us through those we serve. It is here that we find the
great mystery of Christian service. We see God in the life
of Jesus, and we see Jesus in all those who are in need of
our care. Look around, see those who are in need, and ask
God to take away those obstacles and distractions that keep
us from being generous with them. In turn, we will receive
Christ’s blessing, a blessing we need to receive.
Almsgiving Ideas for Lent
• Show an act of kindness to someone you don’t
speak to often.
• Visit an elderly person who may be lonely.
• Reflect on the regular contributions you make to
the parish. Could you do more?
• Do an extra chore for your parents one day each
week during Lent.
• Go through your closet and find some clothes in
good shape to give away to other children who
are in need of clothes.
• Write a letter or create a card for someone who
is sick or might be lonely.
• Buy some cans of food to give to a food bank or
soup kitchen.
• Talk with your family about eating one simple
meal each week of Lent and putting the money
you save in the Operation Rice Bowl box.
• Donate personal possessions, such as clothes,
books, or shoes to people in need.
• Volunteer to clean the yard or wash windows for
an elderly person in your neighborhood.
• Prepare a meal or baked goods for the soup
kitchen or homeless shelter.
• Gather some friends to help volunteer at a local
soup kitchen.
• Make a gift to the diocesan annual appeal.
• Volunteer to read books and magazines to
the elderly.
• Volunteer to tutor children.
• Donate diapers, formula, baby clothing, baby
furniture, and maternity clothing to a local crisis
pregnancy center.
Stewardship Reflections for the Sunday Readings
Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Weekend of March 5/6
In today’s gospel Jesus states emphatically that only those who
do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom of heaven. But
what does it mean to do the will of God? To Christian stewards
it means that they have surrendered their hearts and minds to
the teaching of Christ; and even if they cannot deliver a perfect
or flawless performance, they truly desire to love the Lord and
allow him to direct their lives. Do we wish to honor the Lord
in everything we do, or is the price more than we want to pay?
First Sunday of Lent
Weekend of March 12/13
At the beginning of this Lenten season we hear proclaimed
the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. He responds to the
first temptation by saying that one does not live by bread alone
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
The season of Lent invites us to consider how we nourish our
hearts, how we act as stewards of the Word of God entrusted to
us. A good reflection for the week: What do we live on? What
keeps us going? Could it be possessions, prestige, the need to
be in control, the need for security, addictions? Or the fervent
desire to listen to God’s word?
Second Sunday of Lent
Weekend of March 19/20
Saint Matthew’s account of Jesus’ transfiguration is a preview of
the Resurrection and puts into perspective Jesus’ sayings about
his suffering, rejection and death, and his role as the light of
salvation. With the additional command “Listen to him” from
the voice in the heavens the transfiguration is also about the
disciples’ resurrection, and sheds light on Jesus’ previous sayings
about the cost of discipleship. Are we willing to “listen to
him?” Do we believe Christ’s claims for our salvation? Are we
willing to accept this cost even if it means rejection by others?
Third Sunday in Lent
Weekend of March 26/27
Jesus’ longest-recorded conversation with anyone is the one he
has with the Samaritan woman at the well. She discovers she
can be honest with Jesus and goes and tells others about him.
She gives witness. She’s not the most certain, thorough or even
convincing witness. But her witness is enough. It is inviting,
humble, non-judgmental and sincere. What is the quality of our
witness? How do our words and actions give daily testimony on
behalf of Christ? During this season of Lent, how might we do
a better job at proclaiming the risen Lord in word and deed?
Source: International Catholic Stewardship Council March Newsletter
Weekend of March 5/6
In today’s gospel Jesus states emphatically that only those who
do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom of heaven. But
what does it mean to do the will of God? To Christian stewards
it means that they have surrendered their hearts and minds to
the teaching of Christ; and even if they cannot deliver a perfect
or flawless performance, they truly desire to love the Lord and
allow him to direct their lives. Do we wish to honor the Lord
in everything we do, or is the price more than we want to pay?
First Sunday of Lent
Weekend of March 12/13
At the beginning of this Lenten season we hear proclaimed
the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. He responds to the
first temptation by saying that one does not live by bread alone
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
The season of Lent invites us to consider how we nourish our
hearts, how we act as stewards of the Word of God entrusted to
us. A good reflection for the week: What do we live on? What
keeps us going? Could it be possessions, prestige, the need to
be in control, the need for security, addictions? Or the fervent
desire to listen to God’s word?
Second Sunday of Lent
Weekend of March 19/20
Saint Matthew’s account of Jesus’ transfiguration is a preview of
the Resurrection and puts into perspective Jesus’ sayings about
his suffering, rejection and death, and his role as the light of
salvation. With the additional command “Listen to him” from
the voice in the heavens the transfiguration is also about the
disciples’ resurrection, and sheds light on Jesus’ previous sayings
about the cost of discipleship. Are we willing to “listen to
him?” Do we believe Christ’s claims for our salvation? Are we
willing to accept this cost even if it means rejection by others?
Third Sunday in Lent
Weekend of March 26/27
Jesus’ longest-recorded conversation with anyone is the one he
has with the Samaritan woman at the well. She discovers she
can be honest with Jesus and goes and tells others about him.
She gives witness. She’s not the most certain, thorough or even
convincing witness. But her witness is enough. It is inviting,
humble, non-judgmental and sincere. What is the quality of our
witness? How do our words and actions give daily testimony on
behalf of Christ? During this season of Lent, how might we do
a better job at proclaiming the risen Lord in word and deed?
Source: International Catholic Stewardship Council March Newsletter
Monday, January 31, 2011
Jesus is our Model
Jesus is our Model - Adapted from an article by Rick Jeric,
Director of Stewardship and Development, Diocese of Columbus, Ohio -
Source: International Catholic Stewardship Council Newsletter
Did you take an accounting of your stewardship of
time, talent, and treasure at the beginning of this
New Year? I hope this accounting, which is both
practical and spiritual, is something which we will
do periodically. This personal effort is even more
important than regular visits to the doctor or dentist.
Our physical health is a top priority. Our spiritual
health determines eternal life. So, what is more
important? Our journey to heaven and eternal life with
God is guided by our good and faithful stewardship.
How we spend our time, how we use our talent, and
where we spend our treasure are all efforts by which
we maintain the life of a Christian. Jesus is our model.
As Christian stewards, it goes without saying that we
have a responsibility to follow the life and teachings
of Jesus Christ.
The Gospels are filled with examples of our Lord’s
prayer life, his relationship with family and friends,
his teachings and his ministry. Jesus was obedient
to his Father in heaven. But he also obeyed and
respected his earthly parents. Jesus bowed his head
and was baptized by John the Baptist. He preached
the Sermon on the Mount, he served those in need.
He confronted the rich and powerful. He cured,
consoled, healed, and forgave.
As Christian stewards we must also be people of
prayer; and like Jesus, we must be willing to bow our
heads, serve, cure, heal, forgive and proclaim the
Gospel in creative ways. We too must be people of
action. Let our practical challenge in the month of
February be to bravely take steps to model the life
and ministry of Jesus, and act in a way pleasing to
the Father. No rationalizing. No exceptions. No age
limits. We must live an authentic Christian life each
and every day. Pray, act, live, and love. Do all to the
fullest, as Jesus did.
Director of Stewardship and Development, Diocese of Columbus, Ohio -
Source: International Catholic Stewardship Council Newsletter
Did you take an accounting of your stewardship of
time, talent, and treasure at the beginning of this
New Year? I hope this accounting, which is both
practical and spiritual, is something which we will
do periodically. This personal effort is even more
important than regular visits to the doctor or dentist.
Our physical health is a top priority. Our spiritual
health determines eternal life. So, what is more
important? Our journey to heaven and eternal life with
God is guided by our good and faithful stewardship.
How we spend our time, how we use our talent, and
where we spend our treasure are all efforts by which
we maintain the life of a Christian. Jesus is our model.
As Christian stewards, it goes without saying that we
have a responsibility to follow the life and teachings
of Jesus Christ.
The Gospels are filled with examples of our Lord’s
prayer life, his relationship with family and friends,
his teachings and his ministry. Jesus was obedient
to his Father in heaven. But he also obeyed and
respected his earthly parents. Jesus bowed his head
and was baptized by John the Baptist. He preached
the Sermon on the Mount, he served those in need.
He confronted the rich and powerful. He cured,
consoled, healed, and forgave.
As Christian stewards we must also be people of
prayer; and like Jesus, we must be willing to bow our
heads, serve, cure, heal, forgive and proclaim the
Gospel in creative ways. We too must be people of
action. Let our practical challenge in the month of
February be to bravely take steps to model the life
and ministry of Jesus, and act in a way pleasing to
the Father. No rationalizing. No exceptions. No age
limits. We must live an authentic Christian life each
and every day. Pray, act, live, and love. Do all to the
fullest, as Jesus did.
Stewardship Reflections for February 2011
Fifth Week in Ordinary Time, Weekend of February 5/6
Jesus said to his followers “You are the light of the world…
your light must shine before others, that they may see your
good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Christian stewards
allow the light of Christ to shine through them to reach
others. A good reflection question for the week: In what ways
do we allow the light of Christ to shine through us?
Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Weekend of February 12/13
In today’s Gospel, part of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
does not speak of replacing the law of the Old Testament.
He goes beyond it. He obliges his followers to work at being
holier than even the strictest of Pharisees. But the work
is not accomplished by following a religious “law”, it requires
growing in love for other human beings. Followers of
Jesus know they are required to be good stewards of others.
In what way will you exercise good stewardship over other
people this week?
Seventh Week in Ordinary Time, Weekend of February 19/20
In another passage from his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
continues to turn his disciples’ way of thinking upsidedown.
One of the lessons for the Christian steward in today’s
Gospel is that if we have a chance to help someone
in need, we should be generous and give more than is expected
of us. Jesus went “the extra mile” for us. Can we be
more like Jesus and “go the extra mile” for others?
Eighth Week in Ordinary Time, Weekend of February 26/27
Saint Paul reminds us as baptized Christians, as those who
have shared the Eucharist with one another, that we are
“servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
We are not to define ourselves by our age, ethnicity, gender,
social status, work, vocation or avocation. Our primary
self-understanding should be that of servants and stewards
of the Lord and all that has been entrusted to us. Can we
accept this self-understanding? Do we find it encouraging?
Jesus said to his followers “You are the light of the world…
your light must shine before others, that they may see your
good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” Christian stewards
allow the light of Christ to shine through them to reach
others. A good reflection question for the week: In what ways
do we allow the light of Christ to shine through us?
Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, Weekend of February 12/13
In today’s Gospel, part of his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
does not speak of replacing the law of the Old Testament.
He goes beyond it. He obliges his followers to work at being
holier than even the strictest of Pharisees. But the work
is not accomplished by following a religious “law”, it requires
growing in love for other human beings. Followers of
Jesus know they are required to be good stewards of others.
In what way will you exercise good stewardship over other
people this week?
Seventh Week in Ordinary Time, Weekend of February 19/20
In another passage from his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
continues to turn his disciples’ way of thinking upsidedown.
One of the lessons for the Christian steward in today’s
Gospel is that if we have a chance to help someone
in need, we should be generous and give more than is expected
of us. Jesus went “the extra mile” for us. Can we be
more like Jesus and “go the extra mile” for others?
Eighth Week in Ordinary Time, Weekend of February 26/27
Saint Paul reminds us as baptized Christians, as those who
have shared the Eucharist with one another, that we are
“servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”
We are not to define ourselves by our age, ethnicity, gender,
social status, work, vocation or avocation. Our primary
self-understanding should be that of servants and stewards
of the Lord and all that has been entrusted to us. Can we
accept this self-understanding? Do we find it encouraging?
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