I wrote about how Jesus called the first disciples to service and how He calls us in much the same way today. Here, I would like to examine that a bit further. It is important for us to remember that we profess the same Faith they did so many years ago, faith in Jesus Christ our Lord, that we are disciples of the same Lord, and that, as such, we bear witness to the one and the same Gospel that they did. There is no disconnect. It is one Faith. We are one Church. And if we pay great attention to the examples that the apostles set before us, we will learn a great deal.
If we examine the passage in Mark’s Gospel in which Jesus specifies the 12, it is clear that He called them forth for a specific purpose; He appointed them for a vital role in His salvific mission. They were called to be leaders.
Mark 3:14-15 tells us, “He appointed twelve (whom He also named apostles) that they might be with Him and He might send them forth to preach and to drive out demons.”
In other words, through His calling, they would have the authority and even the responsibility to take part in Jesus’ own ministry in a very special way. Their own ministry, then, would call more men and women to Jesus. Today, we know them as our bishops. They are the head shepherds of our dioceses, and as such, they lead us on the journey of Faith. They preach and teach and heal us through the Sacraments. They are true leaders, just like the first 12.
You may be wondering what all this talk about the apostles and the current day bishops has to do with you. After all, most of you reading this are not bishops, many of you may not even be priests, but many of you are parish leaders in one way or another. So, you can and should relate to the calling of the 12 in a special way. Just like the 12 apostles, God has called each one of us for a specific purpose, and, just like the 12, we each play a vital role in the mission of Jesus here on Earth. As leaders we will stand in the forefront of things, working to guide and direct our parishioners, helping to assist our pastors as they carry out their ministry, leading one or another ministry at the parish and more.
Closer examination of some of the apostles’ personal calls will help us see how we can most effectively live our own calls to be leaders today.
In Matthew 5:18-22, Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, telling them, “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
He called James and John in the same way, and all four men dropped their nets and answered the call.
Notice, in that simple call, those men, who were called to an important role of leadership in the Church were called not simply to lead but, much more importantly, to follow. And they did just that. They “Left their boat and their father and followed Him” (Mt. 4:22).
We all ought to cling to their example as we strive to carry out our own personal calls. Sure, we have a responsibility to lead people in the ways of discipleship, and our roles as parish leaders – as clergy and lay leaders – are vital as we strive to form good stewards, but as leaders we must, first and foremost, be followers. We must follow the great leader. Remember, we are His disciples. We are not trying to gain disciples for ourselves. We are trying to call more men and women to Him. It is only when we follow His lead, only when we live to serve Him, that our own leadership will bear great fruit.
Source: Copyright © 2010 www.THECATHOLICSTEWARD.com Used by permission.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Stewardshp Bulletin Reflection
Jesus came to St. John the Baptist to share the baptism of repentance for sin that John was performing in the Jordan River. John protested that Jesus did not need the baptism for he had no sin, but Jesus insisted. He wanted to identify himself with our sinful humanity as he was going to be the sacrifice for our sin. After the baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus and the voice of God the Father proclaimed him his beloved Son.
After the baptism, Jesus began his public ministry, and as St. Peter declared, “He went about doing good.” We who have been reborn as God’s adopted children in sacramental Baptism are called to live a new life and imitate the example of Jesus. This includes using the time, the talent, and the treasure entrusted to us to serve our Lord and his people, not just for our own benefit.
After the baptism, Jesus began his public ministry, and as St. Peter declared, “He went about doing good.” We who have been reborn as God’s adopted children in sacramental Baptism are called to live a new life and imitate the example of Jesus. This includes using the time, the talent, and the treasure entrusted to us to serve our Lord and his people, not just for our own benefit.
Stewardship Reflection for January 9, 2011
January 9, 2011 – The Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-38; Matthew 3:13-17
On the face of it, Jesus’ baptism by St. John the Baptist would seem to have been unnecessary. At least, that’s how it seemed to John. The baptism he proclaimed, as we heard in Advent, was a baptism of repentance for those who acknowledged their sins. Matthew 3 tells us that John objected that Jesus ought to be baptizing him, rather than the other way around, for he recognized that Jesus had no sins for which to repent.
But Jesus insisted, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” In order to achieve God’s saving plan for humanity, Jesus needed to identify himself with us sinners.
However, more happens at the Jordan than Jesus’ identification of himself with the human condition. Here he undergoes his final preparation to begin his public ministry. The Holy Spirit descents in visible form upon him, and the Father proclaims Jesus as his beloved Son, which fulfills the Servant Song of the prophet Isaiah (42:1), “… my chosen one with whom I am pleased.” As Peter proclaimed, “You know…what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good… for God was with him” (Acts 10:36-38)
But there is a difference between the baptism St. John performed at the Jordan River and the sacrament of Baptism established by Jesus after his Resurrection. The baptism of the Baptist was a public admission that one was a sinner and a declaration of repentance but in itself did not provide the hoped-for forgiveness. After Jesus’ Crucifixion as the sacrifice for our sins and his Resurrection as a triumph over the powers of death, the baptism he instituted conveys the grace that effects what it symbolizes.
As the Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it (537), “Through Baptism the Christian is sacramentally assimilated to Jesus, who in his own baptism anticipates his death and resurrection. The Christian must enter into this mystery of humble self-abasement and repentance, go down into the water with Jesus in order to rise with him, be reborn of water and the Spirit so as to become the Father’s beloved son in the Son and ‘walk in newness of life’ (Rom 6:4).”
What difference does this make to us? It makes all the difference in the world! Having been reborn as God’s adopted children through Baptism, we also share in the power that the Holy Spirit gives. We’re not to let anyone, least of all ourselves, confuse us with Jesus Christ himself. But walking in newness of life, we are called to imitate Jesus and go about doing good.
And that is the key to good stewardship. Walking in newness of life means that we view every aspect of our situation – our job, our family, our community – in a different way than those who live with themselves as the centers of their life. And in response to this new life, we use our time, our talent, and our treasure for doing good as the Father’s beloved children.
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-38; Matthew 3:13-17
On the face of it, Jesus’ baptism by St. John the Baptist would seem to have been unnecessary. At least, that’s how it seemed to John. The baptism he proclaimed, as we heard in Advent, was a baptism of repentance for those who acknowledged their sins. Matthew 3 tells us that John objected that Jesus ought to be baptizing him, rather than the other way around, for he recognized that Jesus had no sins for which to repent.
But Jesus insisted, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” In order to achieve God’s saving plan for humanity, Jesus needed to identify himself with us sinners.
However, more happens at the Jordan than Jesus’ identification of himself with the human condition. Here he undergoes his final preparation to begin his public ministry. The Holy Spirit descents in visible form upon him, and the Father proclaims Jesus as his beloved Son, which fulfills the Servant Song of the prophet Isaiah (42:1), “… my chosen one with whom I am pleased.” As Peter proclaimed, “You know…what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good… for God was with him” (Acts 10:36-38)
But there is a difference between the baptism St. John performed at the Jordan River and the sacrament of Baptism established by Jesus after his Resurrection. The baptism of the Baptist was a public admission that one was a sinner and a declaration of repentance but in itself did not provide the hoped-for forgiveness. After Jesus’ Crucifixion as the sacrifice for our sins and his Resurrection as a triumph over the powers of death, the baptism he instituted conveys the grace that effects what it symbolizes.
As the Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it (537), “Through Baptism the Christian is sacramentally assimilated to Jesus, who in his own baptism anticipates his death and resurrection. The Christian must enter into this mystery of humble self-abasement and repentance, go down into the water with Jesus in order to rise with him, be reborn of water and the Spirit so as to become the Father’s beloved son in the Son and ‘walk in newness of life’ (Rom 6:4).”
What difference does this make to us? It makes all the difference in the world! Having been reborn as God’s adopted children through Baptism, we also share in the power that the Holy Spirit gives. We’re not to let anyone, least of all ourselves, confuse us with Jesus Christ himself. But walking in newness of life, we are called to imitate Jesus and go about doing good.
And that is the key to good stewardship. Walking in newness of life means that we view every aspect of our situation – our job, our family, our community – in a different way than those who live with themselves as the centers of their life. And in response to this new life, we use our time, our talent, and our treasure for doing good as the Father’s beloved children.
Stewardship Reflection for January 2, 2011
The Epiphany celebrates the coming of the Magi, who were non-Jews, to worship the child Jesus. It is thus a missionary feast because Jesus is not only the Jewish Messiah but also the Savior of the whole human race.
But the Epiphany is a stewardship celebration, as well, for the Magi did not come empty-handed. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to offer him. Gold represents the Treasure that we present to our spiritual King for the spread of the Kingdom of God. Frankincense symbolizes our Time that we devote to prayer and the worship of God. And myrrh conveys our willingness to offer our Talent to serve others, for it is used in preparing bodies for burial, a service the Church has identified for centuries as one of the corporal works of mercy.
The Epiphany, then, challenges us to be good Christian stewards and to bring our time, talent, and treasure to worship Jesus, just as the Magi did, and to invite others to join us in worship.
But the Epiphany is a stewardship celebration, as well, for the Magi did not come empty-handed. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to offer him. Gold represents the Treasure that we present to our spiritual King for the spread of the Kingdom of God. Frankincense symbolizes our Time that we devote to prayer and the worship of God. And myrrh conveys our willingness to offer our Talent to serve others, for it is used in preparing bodies for burial, a service the Church has identified for centuries as one of the corporal works of mercy.
The Epiphany, then, challenges us to be good Christian stewards and to bring our time, talent, and treasure to worship Jesus, just as the Magi did, and to invite others to join us in worship.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
A STEWARDSHIP PRAYER for Thanksgiving
Gracious and loving God,
As the autumn season continues its transformation;
and the days become shorter,
the earth cooler;
as we join family and friends
in joy and celebration
on Thanksgiving Day,
we pause to give You thanks and praise
for the abundant blessings
You have bestowed upon us:
For life and health,
safety and comfort,
food and nourishment.
Through your Spirit, open our hearts
so that we may be even better stewards
of Your many blessings.
Show us how to be a blessing
for the poor, sick, lonely and all who suffer.
And help us nurture the gift of faith,
revealed to us by your Son, Jesus Christ,
our greatest gift,
who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
Amen.
As the autumn season continues its transformation;
and the days become shorter,
the earth cooler;
as we join family and friends
in joy and celebration
on Thanksgiving Day,
we pause to give You thanks and praise
for the abundant blessings
You have bestowed upon us:
For life and health,
safety and comfort,
food and nourishment.
Through your Spirit, open our hearts
so that we may be even better stewards
of Your many blessings.
Show us how to be a blessing
for the poor, sick, lonely and all who suffer.
And help us nurture the gift of faith,
revealed to us by your Son, Jesus Christ,
our greatest gift,
who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
Amen.
In Gratitude For Our Parishes
During the month of November let us remember to include our parish when we express gratitude for the abundant gifts we have been given. Our parishes are great blessings because they are witnessing communions of faith, signs of Christ’s active presence in the world.
Our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, once described a parish as a “family of families.” If we accept that the parish is a family, then surely it takes on the characteristics of a family. And just like a family, the gift of the Holy Spirit to our parishes is the many different talents and temperaments we find in the pews, parish house and parking lot. They become great strengths when we are united in building up the Body of Christ.
The mission of our parish is to continue the work of Jesus Christ, who expressed his own ministry resolutely: “I must proclaim the Kingdom of God” (Lk 4:43). The parish is a steward of this ongoing ministry, and as members of a parish family we too are stewards of Christ’s work. That is why it is so important to be nourished by the Eucharist regularly and to participate fully in the great prophetic witness of the parish: to offer our time, assist in one or more of the many parish ministries, invite others into our parish life of faith, carry our share of financial responsibility for the parish, and celebrate when our parish family celebrates.
Remember as well our pastors and those other priests and pastoral professionals who seek to nourish us with the Bread of Life and to help us understand more fully our faith and the actions which spring from that faith.
The life of faith we experience in our parishes is not perfect. What family is perfect? Our parish never has been and never will be perfect because we are not perfect. But part of what we share in our parish is Christ’s love which is perfect. The love that we share is a gospel that has been given to us to live and proclaim in word and deed. It is a gospel that gives us hope. For that we should be grateful.
Our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, once described a parish as a “family of families.” If we accept that the parish is a family, then surely it takes on the characteristics of a family. And just like a family, the gift of the Holy Spirit to our parishes is the many different talents and temperaments we find in the pews, parish house and parking lot. They become great strengths when we are united in building up the Body of Christ.
The mission of our parish is to continue the work of Jesus Christ, who expressed his own ministry resolutely: “I must proclaim the Kingdom of God” (Lk 4:43). The parish is a steward of this ongoing ministry, and as members of a parish family we too are stewards of Christ’s work. That is why it is so important to be nourished by the Eucharist regularly and to participate fully in the great prophetic witness of the parish: to offer our time, assist in one or more of the many parish ministries, invite others into our parish life of faith, carry our share of financial responsibility for the parish, and celebrate when our parish family celebrates.
Remember as well our pastors and those other priests and pastoral professionals who seek to nourish us with the Bread of Life and to help us understand more fully our faith and the actions which spring from that faith.
The life of faith we experience in our parishes is not perfect. What family is perfect? Our parish never has been and never will be perfect because we are not perfect. But part of what we share in our parish is Christ’s love which is perfect. The love that we share is a gospel that has been given to us to live and proclaim in word and deed. It is a gospel that gives us hope. For that we should be grateful.
Stewardship Bulletin Reflection for November 28, 2010
Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44
Isaiah, St. Paul, and Jesus all give the same central message in the readings for today. There will be a judgment, when God will establish his Kingdom fully. We don’t know when that will be, so we need to stay awake and be alert.
That is not a call to despair, but a warning. If we wake from our spiritual slumber, we can use the time, the talent, and the treasure entrusted to us so we can make a good return to God. Then we need not fear when we face Jesus Christ, our merciful and loving Judge. But the choice is ours, whether we want to exercise watchful care, or drift along in a slumber of spiritual complacency.
Source: The Catholic Steward, November 2010
Isaiah, St. Paul, and Jesus all give the same central message in the readings for today. There will be a judgment, when God will establish his Kingdom fully. We don’t know when that will be, so we need to stay awake and be alert.
That is not a call to despair, but a warning. If we wake from our spiritual slumber, we can use the time, the talent, and the treasure entrusted to us so we can make a good return to God. Then we need not fear when we face Jesus Christ, our merciful and loving Judge. But the choice is ours, whether we want to exercise watchful care, or drift along in a slumber of spiritual complacency.
Source: The Catholic Steward, November 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
November Stewardship
A STEWARDSHIP MOMENT
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Weekend of November 6/7
In today’s second reading, Saint Paul offers encouragement to the Christian community and prays that the Lord instill encouragement in their hearts. There is nothing worse than discouragement to drain people spiritually and emotionally. Yet, at times, it is much easier to lose patience with others and offer critical and discouraging words. We are "our brothers’ (and sisters’) keepers." We are stewards of our relationships with others. Offering encouragement is essential to the exercise of that stewardship. Saint Paul understood that God worked through him just as God works through us to encourage others. How often do we ask the Lord for encouragement? How often do we look for opportunities to affirm, strengthen and encourage others in our daily lives?
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Weekend of November 13/14
In today’s gospel Jesus tells his followers there will be plenty of time for them to bear witness to what he taught and did. He helped them understand that the Holy Spirit would guide them and help them persevere in their own stewardship of his gospel even when friends and family betrayed them. Do our friends and neighbors, or classmates and colleagues, know we are disciples of Jesus Christ? How do we bear witness to Christ each day? Do we hide our faith out of fear of rejection? Or are we bold in our witness to others? Are we good stewards of Christ’s gospel?
The Solemnity of Christ the King Weekend of November 20/21
Today we listen to the humble confession of Saint Dismas, the good thief; a confession that brought him mercy, forgiveness and great favor by the Lord. What can his humility teach those who seek to be good stewards? That we must give up our self-importance, our self-centeredness, and learn to give ourselves over to God? That God has entrusted us with everything we have as gift to be used in God’s service? That we treat others not with arrogance, sarcasm or put down, but with reverence and respect as gifts from God? Is it by recognizing that God is the center of the universe, not us, and that only Christ the King can bring us genuine peace and salvation?
Thanksgiving Day November 25, 2010
In today’s first reading, we listened to a beautiful stewardship blessing from the Book of Sirach: "And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth. May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you; may God’s goodness toward us endure as long as the heavens are above." On this Thanksgiving Day, our thoughts invariably turn to preparing for our annual celebration with family and friends. Perhaps this simple blessing could serve as an appropriate stewardship reflection on our gratitude for the Lord’s abundant goodness, and be our prayer during this Thanksgiving weekend.
Source: November 2010 International Catholic Stewardship Council Newsletter
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Weekend of November 6/7
In today’s second reading, Saint Paul offers encouragement to the Christian community and prays that the Lord instill encouragement in their hearts. There is nothing worse than discouragement to drain people spiritually and emotionally. Yet, at times, it is much easier to lose patience with others and offer critical and discouraging words. We are "our brothers’ (and sisters’) keepers." We are stewards of our relationships with others. Offering encouragement is essential to the exercise of that stewardship. Saint Paul understood that God worked through him just as God works through us to encourage others. How often do we ask the Lord for encouragement? How often do we look for opportunities to affirm, strengthen and encourage others in our daily lives?
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Weekend of November 13/14
In today’s gospel Jesus tells his followers there will be plenty of time for them to bear witness to what he taught and did. He helped them understand that the Holy Spirit would guide them and help them persevere in their own stewardship of his gospel even when friends and family betrayed them. Do our friends and neighbors, or classmates and colleagues, know we are disciples of Jesus Christ? How do we bear witness to Christ each day? Do we hide our faith out of fear of rejection? Or are we bold in our witness to others? Are we good stewards of Christ’s gospel?
The Solemnity of Christ the King Weekend of November 20/21
Today we listen to the humble confession of Saint Dismas, the good thief; a confession that brought him mercy, forgiveness and great favor by the Lord. What can his humility teach those who seek to be good stewards? That we must give up our self-importance, our self-centeredness, and learn to give ourselves over to God? That God has entrusted us with everything we have as gift to be used in God’s service? That we treat others not with arrogance, sarcasm or put down, but with reverence and respect as gifts from God? Is it by recognizing that God is the center of the universe, not us, and that only Christ the King can bring us genuine peace and salvation?
Thanksgiving Day November 25, 2010
In today’s first reading, we listened to a beautiful stewardship blessing from the Book of Sirach: "And now, bless the God of all, who has done wondrous things on earth. May he grant you joy of heart and may peace abide among you; may God’s goodness toward us endure as long as the heavens are above." On this Thanksgiving Day, our thoughts invariably turn to preparing for our annual celebration with family and friends. Perhaps this simple blessing could serve as an appropriate stewardship reflection on our gratitude for the Lord’s abundant goodness, and be our prayer during this Thanksgiving weekend.
Source: November 2010 International Catholic Stewardship Council Newsletter
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Stewardship Reflections on Lectionary Readings for Nov. 7, 2010 Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; Psalm 17; 2 Thessalonians 2:16 – 3:5; Luke 20:27-38 or 20:27, 34-38
It’s jokingly said that one of the most painful motions a man can make is to reach down to pull his wallet out of his pocket. That’s especially true when he’s going to open his wallet to make a contribution. But as the reading from 2 Maccabees 7 makes clear, men are willing to suffer pain and even death for something they believe in. And what’s more worthy of our pain – either physical or emotional – than the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ carried out through his Church?
The seven brothers and their mother who died for the practice of their faith in the reading from 2 Maccabees did so because of their hope for the resurrection. Jesus in the Gospel reading from Luke 20 reaffirms that hope as one of the basic doctrines of Christianity. This life is not the end. At the end of time, our bodies will rise again and be rejoined to our souls.
The belief that death is not the end means how we live in this life is important and has eternal consequences. If it were true that this life is all there is, then why not live by the motto, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (I Cor 15:32)? There would be no point in living except to experience as much immediate pleasure as possible.
But the truth of the resurrection – with the accompanying judgment – means that our life has purpose, and we are responsible to God who gave us life and will raise us from the dead. In gratitude for his gifts – the time we enjoy, the talents we have, the treasure we receive, even life itself – we return a portion of them to his service. We’ll actually experience joy in this life, and even greater joy in the next.
There may be some pain, at least psychological pain, in a life of stewardship. We’ll probably forgo some things that would give us pleasure. But the ultimate reward of a life as a steward is worth far more pain than any lack we’ll experience here will cause.
We are not alone, however, as we seek to live as stewards. We may feel discouragement from time to time. St. Paul assures us in the reading from 2 Thessalonians that “the Lord is faithful” and by his grace he will direct our hearts “to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ.”
Let us so live and so use the time, talent, and treasure entrusted to us in this life that we can look forward with hope and eager expectation to our resurrection at the end of time!
Source: Posted by The Catholic Steward Oct 26, 2010
2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; Psalm 17; 2 Thessalonians 2:16 – 3:5; Luke 20:27-38 or 20:27, 34-38
It’s jokingly said that one of the most painful motions a man can make is to reach down to pull his wallet out of his pocket. That’s especially true when he’s going to open his wallet to make a contribution. But as the reading from 2 Maccabees 7 makes clear, men are willing to suffer pain and even death for something they believe in. And what’s more worthy of our pain – either physical or emotional – than the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ carried out through his Church?
The seven brothers and their mother who died for the practice of their faith in the reading from 2 Maccabees did so because of their hope for the resurrection. Jesus in the Gospel reading from Luke 20 reaffirms that hope as one of the basic doctrines of Christianity. This life is not the end. At the end of time, our bodies will rise again and be rejoined to our souls.
The belief that death is not the end means how we live in this life is important and has eternal consequences. If it were true that this life is all there is, then why not live by the motto, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (I Cor 15:32)? There would be no point in living except to experience as much immediate pleasure as possible.
But the truth of the resurrection – with the accompanying judgment – means that our life has purpose, and we are responsible to God who gave us life and will raise us from the dead. In gratitude for his gifts – the time we enjoy, the talents we have, the treasure we receive, even life itself – we return a portion of them to his service. We’ll actually experience joy in this life, and even greater joy in the next.
There may be some pain, at least psychological pain, in a life of stewardship. We’ll probably forgo some things that would give us pleasure. But the ultimate reward of a life as a steward is worth far more pain than any lack we’ll experience here will cause.
We are not alone, however, as we seek to live as stewards. We may feel discouragement from time to time. St. Paul assures us in the reading from 2 Thessalonians that “the Lord is faithful” and by his grace he will direct our hearts “to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ.”
Let us so live and so use the time, talent, and treasure entrusted to us in this life that we can look forward with hope and eager expectation to our resurrection at the end of time!
Source: Posted by The Catholic Steward Oct 26, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
September Bulletin Announcements
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
For the weekend of October 3, 2010
In today’s Gospel Jesus instructs the apostles on faith and
service, two bedrock principles of Christian stewardship.
While his teaching on one’s attitude toward service may be
easier to grasp, Jesus’ reflection on faith is the more important
one for the Christian steward. Perhaps this is a good
week to reflect on being stewards of our own faith. Some
questions we might ask ourselves: What is the character
and quality of my own faith? How sincere is it? Have I ever
asked the Lord for an increase in faith? What seemingly
impossible things might I be able to accomplish if my faith
in Jesus Christ were the size of a mustard seed?
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
For the weekend of October 10, 2010
In their gratitude for being healed, both Naaman, the Syrian
general, and the leper in today’s gospel offered profound
expressions of faith. So it is that the life of the Christian
steward is based on a life lived in gratitude. Naaman
was willing to offer a fortune to the prophet. The leper was
willing to accept a whole new way of life in Christ. Embracing
a sense of gratitude is often lost in our “I want more”
culture. But when we truly understand what it means to be
grateful, we begin to develop an awareness of all that God
has given us. Ask yourself this week: Do I live each day
with a sense of gratitude? Am I really thankful for the gifts I
have received?
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
For the weekend of October 17, 2010
A fundamental element of Christian stewardship is prayer
and in today’s Gospel Jesus encourages his disciples to pray
constantly and not to lose heart. Prayer is a gift and we
would not even have an awareness to pray if the Lord had
not planted this gift within each of us. Take inventory of
your prayer life this week. Do you stop to pray each day?
Do you take opportunities to try and have a deep conversation
with God? Do you find quiet time so that you may be
able to hear Christ speaking to you, consoling you, encouraging
you, challenging you, befriending you?
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
For the weekend of October 24, 2010
October is a month filled with sporting events, from
school athletic fields to professional sports stadiums across
the country. We see athletes honored and praised for the
God-given gifts they’ve cultivated and displayed, whether it
be in newspaper headlines, television screens and on many
a sports apparel. In today’s second reading, St. Paul uses the
sporting metaphor to reflect on his gift of faith and how he
has used his gifts to give testimony to Jesus Christ. God has
endowed each of us with unique gifts as well, beginning
with the gift of faith. How well have we cultivated and displayed
our own God-given gifts? As stewards of God’s abundant
gifts, have we “competed well” for the Lord? Are we
“running the race” for God? Are we keeping and sharing our
faith in Jesus Christ?
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
For the weekend of October 31, 2010
The encounter between Jesus and the wealthy Zacchaeus
offers a number of stewardship themes for this week’s reflection:
heeding the call of Jesus, conversion, repentance, generosity,
acting out of justice. One stewardship theme from
this Gospel reading that is not often commented upon is the
steward’s task of receiving Christ with a joyful heart. How
often do we “receive him with joy?” Do we know him well
enough to receive in joy? Do we experience his love? Do we
accept him as our savior, or are we looking for something
or someone else? It seems that only when we have some
personal knowledge of Jesus, open our hearts to him and
accept him as Christ, our savior, can we truly receive him
with joyful hearts.
For the weekend of October 3, 2010
In today’s Gospel Jesus instructs the apostles on faith and
service, two bedrock principles of Christian stewardship.
While his teaching on one’s attitude toward service may be
easier to grasp, Jesus’ reflection on faith is the more important
one for the Christian steward. Perhaps this is a good
week to reflect on being stewards of our own faith. Some
questions we might ask ourselves: What is the character
and quality of my own faith? How sincere is it? Have I ever
asked the Lord for an increase in faith? What seemingly
impossible things might I be able to accomplish if my faith
in Jesus Christ were the size of a mustard seed?
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
For the weekend of October 10, 2010
In their gratitude for being healed, both Naaman, the Syrian
general, and the leper in today’s gospel offered profound
expressions of faith. So it is that the life of the Christian
steward is based on a life lived in gratitude. Naaman
was willing to offer a fortune to the prophet. The leper was
willing to accept a whole new way of life in Christ. Embracing
a sense of gratitude is often lost in our “I want more”
culture. But when we truly understand what it means to be
grateful, we begin to develop an awareness of all that God
has given us. Ask yourself this week: Do I live each day
with a sense of gratitude? Am I really thankful for the gifts I
have received?
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
For the weekend of October 17, 2010
A fundamental element of Christian stewardship is prayer
and in today’s Gospel Jesus encourages his disciples to pray
constantly and not to lose heart. Prayer is a gift and we
would not even have an awareness to pray if the Lord had
not planted this gift within each of us. Take inventory of
your prayer life this week. Do you stop to pray each day?
Do you take opportunities to try and have a deep conversation
with God? Do you find quiet time so that you may be
able to hear Christ speaking to you, consoling you, encouraging
you, challenging you, befriending you?
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
For the weekend of October 24, 2010
October is a month filled with sporting events, from
school athletic fields to professional sports stadiums across
the country. We see athletes honored and praised for the
God-given gifts they’ve cultivated and displayed, whether it
be in newspaper headlines, television screens and on many
a sports apparel. In today’s second reading, St. Paul uses the
sporting metaphor to reflect on his gift of faith and how he
has used his gifts to give testimony to Jesus Christ. God has
endowed each of us with unique gifts as well, beginning
with the gift of faith. How well have we cultivated and displayed
our own God-given gifts? As stewards of God’s abundant
gifts, have we “competed well” for the Lord? Are we
“running the race” for God? Are we keeping and sharing our
faith in Jesus Christ?
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
For the weekend of October 31, 2010
The encounter between Jesus and the wealthy Zacchaeus
offers a number of stewardship themes for this week’s reflection:
heeding the call of Jesus, conversion, repentance, generosity,
acting out of justice. One stewardship theme from
this Gospel reading that is not often commented upon is the
steward’s task of receiving Christ with a joyful heart. How
often do we “receive him with joy?” Do we know him well
enough to receive in joy? Do we experience his love? Do we
accept him as our savior, or are we looking for something
or someone else? It seems that only when we have some
personal knowledge of Jesus, open our hearts to him and
accept him as Christ, our savior, can we truly receive him
with joyful hearts.
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