Stewardship in the Sunday Readings, March 2014

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Weekend of March 1/2

We are “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” This appears to be a rather bold claim by Saint Paul to the Corinthians in today’s second reading. We are only the manag­ers, the stewards, the caretakers of God’s divine revelation. We are accountable to the Lord for this unimaginably awe-inspir­ing gift bestowed upon us. Good stewards who are faithful to the Gospel know they are not permitted to adjust the message to suit their circumstances, please themselves or others, or to avoid criticism. Good stewards strive to speak and act in a way that is consistent with Christ’s teachings. As we approach the Lenten season, let’s reflect on how we may have twisted the Gospel message to suit our own needs.

Octavo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
Fin de Semana del 1 / 2 de Marzo de 2014

Nosotros somos “servidores de Cristo y corresponsables de los misterios de Dios”. Esta parece ser una afirmación bastante audaz de San Pablo a los Corintios en la segunda lectura de hoy. Nosotros sólo somos los administradores, los corresponsables, los guardianes de la revelación divina de Dios. Nosotros debemos responder al Señor por este don inimaginable, asombrosamente inspirador, vertido sobre nosotros. Los buenos corresponsables que son fieles al Evangelio, saben que no es permitido ajustar el mensaje a la medida de sus circunstancias, para complacerse a sí mismos o a otros, o para evitar la crítica. Los buenos corresponsables se esfuerzan en hablar y actuar de una manera que es consistente con las enseñanzas de Cristo. Al acercarnos a la época de la Cuaresma, reflexionemos sobre cómo podemos haber distorsionado en nuestra mente el mensaje del Evangelio para hacerlo a la medida de nuestras necesidades.

First Sunday of Lent
Weekend of March 8/9

In today’s Gospel reading we listen to the confrontation be­tween Jesus and the devil, who thought he might tempt Jesus to forget who he was and commit a grievous sin when he was most vulnerable. Jesus had just spent 40 days and nights out in the desert, alone, away from civilization. He was hungry, thirsty, and tired. If there ever was a time to tempt Jesus, that was it. Temptations to sin come at us every day, from many directions and in many different forms. When the temptation to sin tries to overcome us, how do we react? Do we consciously remind ourselves that we are followers of Christ? Is there a time this week when you have needed to confront a temptation to sin? What lessons did you take away from the experience?

Primer Domingo de Cuaresma
Fin de Semana del 8 / 9 de Marzo de 2014

En la lectura del Evangelio de hoy nosotros escuchamos la confrontación entre Jesús y el diablo, quien pensó que podría tentar a Jesús a olvidar quien era y cometer un grave pecado cuando él estaba más vulnerable. Jesús había estado 40 días y 40 noches en el desierto, solo, alejado de la civilización. Él estaba hambriento, sediento, y cansado. Si había un tiempo para tentar a Jesús, era este preciso momento. Las tentaciones para pecar vienen a nosotros diariamente, desde muchas direcciones y en muchas formas diferentes. Cuando la tentación de pecar trata de vencernos, ¿cómo reaccionamos? ¿Nos recordamos a nosotros mismos conscientemente el hecho de que somos seguidores de Cristo? Esta semana, ¿hay un momento en el que usted necesitó confrontar una tentación de pecar? ¿Qué lecciones logró extraer de la experiencia?

Second Sunday of Lent
Weekend of March 15/16

In today’s second reading, Timothy is issued a strong directive: “Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.” For the early Christians this�could mean tor­ture and execution. For most Christians today enduring hardship for the gospel might include accepting ridicule or mockery, or the suggestion that we lack sophistication. Nevertheless, in his letters, Saint Paul is adamant that we should not be ashamed of being followers of Christ. Good stewards are not ashamed of their allegiance to Christ. They do not hide their faith. Reflect on this question: Are you willing to speak about following Christ Jesus no matter who your listeners happen to be?
 

Segundo Domingo de Cuaresma
Fin de Semana del 15 / 16 de Marzo de 2014

En la segunda lectura de hoy, Timoteo ofreció una firme instrucción: “Comparte conmigo los sufrimientos que es necesario padecer por el Evangelio, confortado por la fortaleza de Dios.” Para los primeros cristianos esto podía representar la tortura y la ejecución. Para la mayoría de los cristianos de hoy padecer los sufrimientos necesarios por el evangelio tal vez incluya el ridículo y la burla, o la sugerencia de falta de sofisticación. Sin embargo, en sus cartas, San Pablo es firme en que nosotros no debemos avergonzarnos de ser seguidores de Cristo. Los buenos corresponsables no se avergüenzan de su lealtad a Cristo. Ellos no ocultan su fe. Reflexione acerca de esta pregunta: ¿está usted dispuesta/o a hablar como seguidor de Jesucristo sin importar quienes resulten ser sus oyentes?

Third Sunday of Lent
Weekend of March 22/23

In today’s first reading from the Book of Exodus, we hear of the hardships endured by the people of Israel on their wilderness journey out of Egypt. The wilderness is a demanding place for human life. Just trying to survive can seriously test our faith. In the Israelites’ journey away from a life of slavery and oppres­sion, harsh conditions challenged their trust in the God who liberated them. But their transition brings them closer to God, and they are constantly reminded of the Lord’s gracious provi­sion and nurturing. Good stewards believe the Lord’s presence transforms their own “wilderness” experiences into a place of divine mercy and nourishment. Reflect on your own “wilder­ness” experiences. How has God been present for you and nourished you in times of transition?

Tercer Domingo de Cuaresma
Fin de Semana del 22 / 23 de Marzo de 2014

En la primera lectura de hoy, del Libro del Éxodo, nosotros escuchamos acerca de los padecimientos sufridos por el pueblo de Israel durante su viaje por el desierto en su huida de Egipto. El desierto es un lugar difícil para la vida humana. Solamente el hecho de tratar de sobrevivir en él puede probar seriamente nuestra fe. En el viaje de los Israelitas huyendo de una vida de esclavitud y opresión, las severas condiciones desafiaron su confianza en el Dios que los liberó. Pero la transición los acercó a Dios, y ellos recordaron constantemente la provisión y el alimento generoso del Señor. Los buenos corresponsables creen en que la presencia del Señor transforma sus experiencias “en el desierto” en un lugar de divina misericordia y sustento. Reflexione acerca de sus propias experiencias “en el desierto”. ¿Cómo ha estado Dios presente para usted, y cómo le ha sustentado en tiempos de transición?

Fourth Sunday of Lent
Weekend of March 29/30

In today’s second reading Saint Paul urges us to try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. The Bible often emphasizes our need to please God at all times and Saint Paul would find it inconceivable that any follower of Christ would lack a desire to please the Lord. But how do we discern what pleases the Lord? It has been said that one of the quickest ways to get a glimpse into what pleases God is to read the Bible. Reading the Bible reinforces what we have heard preached and taught about God’s will. The practice also transforms our understand­ing of God’s desires for us. If you now read the Bible, how has it helped you understand what pleases God? If you don’t read the Bible, why is that?

 

Cuarto Domingo de Cuaresma
Fin de Semana del 29 / 30 de Marzo de 2014

En la segunda lectura de hoy San Pablo nos pide encarecidamente tratar de aprender lo que es agradable al Señor. La Biblia enfatiza frecuentemente nuestra necesidad de complacer a Dios en todo momento y San Pablo encontraría inconcebible que alguno de los seguidores de Cristo careciera del deseo de agradar al señor. Pero, ¿cómo discernimos nosotros lo que complace al Señor? Se ha dicho que una de las maneras más rápidas de obtener una indicación de lo que agrada a Dios es leer la Biblia. Leer la Biblia refuerza lo que�hemos escuchado en la predicación y enseñanza acerca de la voluntad de Dios. La práctica transforma también nuestro entendimiento de los deseos de Dios para nosotros. Si usted lee la Biblia, ¿cómo le ayuda a entender lo que es agradable al Señor? Si usted no lee la Biblia, ¿por qué no lo hace?

From March 2014 ICSC Newsletter

 

Be a Good Steward of the Lenten Season

The Lenten season prepares us for the celebration of Easter. 

It is a time for Christians to embrace prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in a more concerted way. For some it is a time of healing, an opportunity to repair their spiritual brokenness. For others it is simply a good time to cultivate their spiritual lives in a more disciplined manner. The goal of Lenten practices: to prepare ourselves to enter into the paschal mystery of Holy Week with a more humble spirit and determination to follow Jesus Christ. This ancient triad of prayer, fasting and almsgiving offers wonderful spiritual benefits. Being a good steward of these gifts by planning ahead and following through is essential to having a fruitful Lenten experience.

Prayer: What greater gift could we give ourselves during Lent than the gift of prayer? The fruits of developing a disciplined time of prayer are bountiful. Make plans for a prayer time each day. Do not wait until you “find time” but make a time of prayer your priority. This will involve sacrifice on your part – perhaps giving up some television viewing time, using part of your lunch hour, or getting up in the morning earlier than usual. Along the way, spend some time in extra prayer with the community: a weekday Mass, Stations of the Cross. Whatever you decide, resolve to spend more time with the Lord.

Fasting: Christian stewards understand that all they receive, including the bountiful food and drink that is often taken for granted, ultimately comes from the Lord. By denying ourselves food for a time, we are reminded in physical and emotional ways of the Lord’s generosity. As we fast, thoughtlessness is replaced by gratitude and mindfulness of the needs of others. The ancient practice of fasting also conditions us for greater spiritual practices. Incorporate some aspect of fasting from food or drink into your Lenten practice, something in addition to the sacrifices we make on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent.

Almsgiving: This spiritual discipline heightens our sense of generosity. Just as an increase in prayer and fasting leads us to be more grateful for the gifts we’ve received, and promotes a greater awareness of others, almsgiving helps us to reach out to others in gratitude. Just as we don’t “squeeze in” time to pray during Lent, we also don’t scrutinize our checkbook when being generous with others. Again, make a plan and let a meaningful sense of sacrifice be your guide.

Source: ICSC March Stewardship Bulletin