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.

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?