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
Thursday, 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
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