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.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
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.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Stewardship and the Sunday Readings - August 2010
August 1
Virtues of the Disciple & Christian Steward: Responsibility
“Well done good and faithful servant” Matt 25:19
To be responsible is to first understand that we are not our own masters. Neither are we the owners of all that we possess. We belong to God, and all that we possess is a gift from God. Every gift comes with a responsibility. How do we use it? More importantly how do we share it? One day God will require an accounting of the use each person has made of the particular gifts entrusted to him or her.
August 8
Virtues of the Disciple & Christian Steward: Gratitude
“A grateful heart silences a complaining voice.” Bishop Eugene Gerber
Being a Christian steward means living each day in gratitude, not envy. It is hard to always be wanting more when you have a grateful heart. The secret to happiness is not found in having what you want, but in wanting what you have. Good stewards count their blessings while everyone else is adding up their problems.
August 15
Virtues of the Disciple & Christian Steward: Generosity
“Mature disciples make a conscious, firm decision, carried out in action to be followers of Jesus Christ no matter the cost to themselves.” Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response
What is authentic generosity? It is born out of gratitude. For the Christian steward it means needing to give’ not simply ‘giving to a need’ in order to relieve ourselves of guilt or obligation. Authentic generosity means we freely give of ourselves, our lives, and our possessions, without counting the cost.
August 22
Virtues of the Disciple & Christian Steward: Simplicity
“Live simply so that others may simply live” Blessed Mother Teresa
Embracing a simpler lifestyle enables us to live more generously. Simple living is also the antidote for “affluenza,” the social disease caused by rampant consumerism and materialism. A Prayer for Simplicity: Lord, grant me the grace to be free from the excesses of this life. Let me not get caught up with the desire for wealth. Keep my heart and mind free to love and serve you. Amen.
August 29
Virtues of the Disciple & Christian Steward: Mercy
“Go and learn what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others.’ I didn't come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners.” Matt 9:12-14
One of the greatest measures of mercy is the commitment to be compassionate towards everyone we meet. We pray that we will always be a community that welcomes all people with love and compassion.
September 5
Virtues of the Disciple & Christian Steward: Perseverance
“My life is like a drink offering being poured out on the altar. I have fought well. I have finished the race, and I have been faithful” 2 Tim 4:6-7.
Discipleship and stewardship is a way of life that is both joyful and rewarding, while at the same time being challenging and sometimes difficult. Be persistent, patient and persevere! It has its rewards both in this life and in the life to come.
Courtesy of Dan Potvin, Archdiocese of Winnipeg, ICSC Newsletter, August 2010
Virtues of the Disciple & Christian Steward: Responsibility
“Well done good and faithful servant” Matt 25:19
To be responsible is to first understand that we are not our own masters. Neither are we the owners of all that we possess. We belong to God, and all that we possess is a gift from God. Every gift comes with a responsibility. How do we use it? More importantly how do we share it? One day God will require an accounting of the use each person has made of the particular gifts entrusted to him or her.
August 8
Virtues of the Disciple & Christian Steward: Gratitude
“A grateful heart silences a complaining voice.” Bishop Eugene Gerber
Being a Christian steward means living each day in gratitude, not envy. It is hard to always be wanting more when you have a grateful heart. The secret to happiness is not found in having what you want, but in wanting what you have. Good stewards count their blessings while everyone else is adding up their problems.
August 15
Virtues of the Disciple & Christian Steward: Generosity
“Mature disciples make a conscious, firm decision, carried out in action to be followers of Jesus Christ no matter the cost to themselves.” Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response
What is authentic generosity? It is born out of gratitude. For the Christian steward it means needing to give’ not simply ‘giving to a need’ in order to relieve ourselves of guilt or obligation. Authentic generosity means we freely give of ourselves, our lives, and our possessions, without counting the cost.
August 22
Virtues of the Disciple & Christian Steward: Simplicity
“Live simply so that others may simply live” Blessed Mother Teresa
Embracing a simpler lifestyle enables us to live more generously. Simple living is also the antidote for “affluenza,” the social disease caused by rampant consumerism and materialism. A Prayer for Simplicity: Lord, grant me the grace to be free from the excesses of this life. Let me not get caught up with the desire for wealth. Keep my heart and mind free to love and serve you. Amen.
August 29
Virtues of the Disciple & Christian Steward: Mercy
“Go and learn what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others.’ I didn't come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners.” Matt 9:12-14
One of the greatest measures of mercy is the commitment to be compassionate towards everyone we meet. We pray that we will always be a community that welcomes all people with love and compassion.
September 5
Virtues of the Disciple & Christian Steward: Perseverance
“My life is like a drink offering being poured out on the altar. I have fought well. I have finished the race, and I have been faithful” 2 Tim 4:6-7.
Discipleship and stewardship is a way of life that is both joyful and rewarding, while at the same time being challenging and sometimes difficult. Be persistent, patient and persevere! It has its rewards both in this life and in the life to come.
Courtesy of Dan Potvin, Archdiocese of Winnipeg, ICSC Newsletter, August 2010
August Stewardship Reflections
August 1, 2010 – Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Take care to guard against all greed.” Luke 12:13-21
Greed is a very insidious and seductive emotion. It is at the root of all sin. It was a factor in the sin of the first man and woman in the Garden. They were not content to be grateful for all God had given them. They wanted to be God. George Carlin had a comedy routine about stuff. He said that we get stuff and then we need to get a house to put our stuff. Then we get more stuff. So we need a bigger house for our stuff. We go on vacation and take some of our stuff. But we buy stuff we don’t need and come home with more stuff. Our lives are filled with stuff. And we get very attached to our stuff. Our attachment to our stuff stems from our erroneous belief that we are the source of all of our stuff and that we acquired it out of our own effort and ingenuity. When we acknowledge God as the source of all that we are and all that we have and all that we ever will be, we can enjoy the stuff we have and share it with others without being obsessed about getting and keeping more stuff than we really need to enjoy life.
August 8, 2010 – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“For where your treasure is, there also will be your heart.” Luke 12:32-48
The trash we put on the curb to be discarded reveals much about who we are and what we do in life. It contains the packaging of the products that we treasure. It reveals where our hearts are. What is in our trash? Is it packaging from the latest electronic games, the best type of athletic equipment, the current fashion in clothes (no matter how revealing), the appliances with the most features, containers that held gourmet foods, too many empty liquor bottles and beer cans, and the shredded documents of the fortune we are trying to amass? There are some people whose hearts are not revealed by their trash. They have no trash. Sadly, they have nothing to throw away. They do not have sufficient food and they have very little clothing. We would do well to remember these words of Jesus, “Much will be required of the person who has much, and still more of the person entrusted with more.” When we bring our trash to the curb we should ask, “How much treasure have I been entrusted with? What does this trash reveal about my heart?”
August 15, 2010 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Luke 1:42
On November 1, 1950 Pope Pius XII, in his Encyclical Letter Munificentissimus Deus, proclaimed, declared and defined to be divinely revealed dogma that “...the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” Some ask why, how, when, and where? Those are fair questions. The simple answer is “It’s a mystery!” But it is more important to ask, “Why not?” Why would Jesus not want to honor the young girl who accepted God’s call to be his mother (at great risk to her life), who carried him in her womb and gave birth to him in a cave, who watched him grow and was with him when he died on a cross, and who rejoiced at his Resurrection by assuming her uncorrupted body to be with him in heaven for eternity? The world would be a much better place if we all honored our parents, family, friends and the strangers who often do so much for us that we do not appreciate! Once again Jesus reveals to us that gratitude is the beginning of generosity.
August 22, 2010 – Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
“I do not know where you are from.” Luke 13:22-30
What will we do if Jesus speaks those words to us when we finally meet him? Will our faces go pale and our knees buckle? Will we be very frightened? Will we mumble, “I ate and drank in your company and you taught me”? What if Jesus ask us, “But what did you learn? Did you eat and drink in the company of the hungry, the homeless, the naked, the oppressed, the diseased? Do they know where you are from?” If people in need in our world know where we are from, Jesus will know where we are from. He will recognize us right away. He will be anxiously waiting for us to enter into his presence. Jesus is very clear: “People will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at the table in the Kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Where do we want to be when we all take our places in the God’s Kingdom, last or first?
August 29, 2010 – Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, the unwanted; blessed will you be because of their inability to repay you.” Luke 14:1, 7-14
A parishioner noted to his pastor that Jesus dined with the rich and famous of his day. He asked, “Do you think Jesus would belong to an exclusive country club if he were here today?” The pastor answered, “I suspect he might, if he could afford it. But his guests would include people who could not afford it, people who need a bath and a new set of clothes, people who have not recently had a decent meal, people who are lame, who limp, or feel their way with a white cane.” The pastor then said to his parishioner, “You belong to a very exclusive country club. Have you ever brought such guest to your club?” The man said nothing. He had many possessions. The pastor added, “When we leave Mass and go into God’s world we are supposed to be Jesus present in that world. So, when you are at your exclusive country club Jesus is a member. You might want to start reviewing your guest list.”
Submitted by Deacon Jerry Martinez of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, ICSC Stewardship Newsletter, August 2010
Agosto 1, 2010 – Décimo Octavo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“Mirad, y guardaos de toda codicia.” San Lucas 12:13-21
La codicia es una emoción muy insidiosa y seductiva. Está en la raíz de todo pecado. Fue un factor del pecado del primer hombre y la primera mujer en el Paraíso. Ellos no estuvieron satisfechos de estar agradecidos por todo lo que Dios les había dado. Ellos quisieron ser Dios. George Carlin hizo una rutina en una comedia acerca de las cosas. El dijo que: obtenemos
cosas y entonces necesitamos obtener una casa para poner nuestras cosas. Entonces necesitamos obtener más cosas. Así que nosotros, necesitamos una casa más grande para nuestras cosas. Vamos de vacaciones y tomamos algunas de nuestras cosas. Pero compramos cosas que no necesitamos y regresamos a casa con más cosas. Nuestras vidas están llenas con cosas. Y nosotros estamos muy apegados a nuestras cosas. Nuestro apego a nuestras cosas proviene de nuestra creencia errónea de que nosotros somos la fuente de todas nuestras cosas, y que las hemos adquirido con nuestro esfuerzo e ingenuidad. Cuando nosotros reconocemos a Dios como la fuente de todo lo que somos y de todo lo que tenemos, y de todo lo que seremos,
podemos disfrutar de las cosas que tenemos y compartirlas con otros, sin estar obsesionados por obtener y conservar más cosas de las que necesitamos realmente para disfrutar de la vida.
Agosto 8, 2010 – Décimo Noveno Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“Porque donde está vuestro tesoro, allí estará también vuestro corazón.” San Lucas 12:32-48
La basura que ponemos en el borde de la acera para ser desechada revela mucho acerca de quienes somos y de lo que hacemos en la vida. Contiene los empaques de los productos que atesoramos. Revela donde están nuestros corazones. ¿Qué está en nuestra basura? ¿Son los empaques de nuestros últimos juegos electrónicos, el mejor tipo de equipo atlético, la moda
actual en ropa (no importa cuán reveladora sea), los aparatos con más características, contenedores que almacenaron alimentos gourmet, demasiadas botellas de licor y latas de cerveza vacías, y los trozos de documentos de la fortuna que tratamos de amasar? Hay personas de quienes sus corazones no están revelados por su basura. No tienen basura. Tristemente ellas no tienen nada que tirar. Ellas no tienen suficiente comida y tienen muy poca ropa. Nosotros haríamos bien si recordamos estas palabras de Jesús, “Mucho se le pedirá a quien mucho tiene, y más aún a quien más se le ha confiado.” Cuando llevemos nuestra basura a la acera, debemos preguntarnos ¿Cuánto tesoro me ha sido confiado? ¿Qué revela esta basura acerca de mi corazón?
Agosto 15, 2010 – Solemnidad de la Asunción de la Santísima Virgen María
“Bendita tú entre las mujeres, y bendito el fruto de tu vientre.” San Lucas 1:42
En noviembre 1 de 1950 el Papa Pío XII, en su Carta Encíclica Munificentissimus Deus, proclamó, declaró y definió que fuera dogma revelado divinamente el que “…la Inmaculada Madre de Dios, la siempre Virgen María, habiendo completado el curso de su vida terrenal, fue llevada cuerpo y alma a la Gloria del cielo.” Algunos preguntan ¿por qué, cómo, cuándo y dónde? Estas son preguntas justas. La respuesta es simple “Este es un misterio” Pero es más importante preguntar, ¿por qué no? ¿Por qué Jesús no querría honrar a la joven que aceptó el llamado de Dios para ser su madre (con un gran riesgo para su vida), quien lo llevó en su vientre y lo trajo a la vida en una cueva, quien lo vio crecer y estuvo con él cuando murió en una cruz, y quien se regocijó en su Resurrección; elevando su cuerpo incorrupto para estar con él en el cielo por toda la eternidad? El mundo sería un mejor lugar si todos honrásemos a nuestros padres, familiares, amigos y a los extraños que frecuentemente hacen mucho por nosotros y que no apreciamos. Una vez más Jesús nos revela que la gratitud es el principio de la generosidad.
Agosto 22, 2010 – Vigésimo Primer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“Os digo que no se de dónde sois.” San Lucas 13:22-30
¿Qué haremos si Jesús nos dice esas palabras cuando finalmente nos reunamos con él? ¿Nuestro rostro palidecerá y se doblarán nuestras rodillas? ¿Estaremos muy atemorizados? Murmuraremos, “Yo comí y bebí en tu compañía y tú me enseñaste.” Y si Jesús nos pregunta, ¿pero tú, qué aprendiste? ¿Comiste y bebiste en compañía del hambriento, el desamparado, el desnudo, el oprimido, o el enfermo? ¿Saben ellos de dónde eres? Si la gente en necesidad, en nuestro mundo, sabe de donde eres, Jesús lo sabrá también. Él nos reconocerá inmediatamente. Él estará esperando ansiosamente por nosotros para entrar en su presencia. Jesús es muy claro: “Vendrá gente del este y del oeste y del norte y del sur y se reclinará en la mesa en el Reino de Dios. Para contemplar, que algunos de los primeros serán de los últimos y algunos de los últimos serán de los primeros.” ¿Dónde queremos estar cuando todos tomemos nuestros lugares en el Reino de Dios, en los últimos o en los primeros?
Agosto 29, 2010 – Vigésimo Segundo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“Llama a los pobres, los mancos, los cojos y los ciegos, y serás bienaventurado; porque ellos no te pueden recompensar.” San Lucas 14:1, 7-14
Un feligrés hizo notar a su pastor que Jesús cenó con ricos y famosos de ese tiempo. Él preguntó, ¿cree usted que Jesús pertenecería a un exclusivo club campestre si él estuviera aquí hoy? El pastor contestó, “Supongo que tal vez si él pudiera pagarlo. Pero sus invitados incluirían gente que no podría pagarlo, gente que necesitaría un baño o un nuevo juego de ropa, gente que no ha tenido recientemente una comida decente, gente paralítica, gente que cojea, o que guía sus pasos por medio de un bastón.” El pastor dijo entonces a su feligrés, “Tú perteneces a un exclusivo club campestre. ¿Has llevado alguna vez un invitado así a tu club?” El hombre no dijo nada. Él tiene muchas posesiones. El pastor agregó, “Cuando salimos de Misa y vamos al mundo de Dios, se supone que somos la presencia de Jesús en este mundo. Entonces, cuando tú estás en tu exclusivo club campestre Jesús es un miembro. Quizás quieras empezar a revisar tu lista de invitados.”
por: Diácono Jerry Martinez de la Arquidiócesis de New Orleans, ICSC Newsletter, August 2010
“Take care to guard against all greed.” Luke 12:13-21
Greed is a very insidious and seductive emotion. It is at the root of all sin. It was a factor in the sin of the first man and woman in the Garden. They were not content to be grateful for all God had given them. They wanted to be God. George Carlin had a comedy routine about stuff. He said that we get stuff and then we need to get a house to put our stuff. Then we get more stuff. So we need a bigger house for our stuff. We go on vacation and take some of our stuff. But we buy stuff we don’t need and come home with more stuff. Our lives are filled with stuff. And we get very attached to our stuff. Our attachment to our stuff stems from our erroneous belief that we are the source of all of our stuff and that we acquired it out of our own effort and ingenuity. When we acknowledge God as the source of all that we are and all that we have and all that we ever will be, we can enjoy the stuff we have and share it with others without being obsessed about getting and keeping more stuff than we really need to enjoy life.
August 8, 2010 – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“For where your treasure is, there also will be your heart.” Luke 12:32-48
The trash we put on the curb to be discarded reveals much about who we are and what we do in life. It contains the packaging of the products that we treasure. It reveals where our hearts are. What is in our trash? Is it packaging from the latest electronic games, the best type of athletic equipment, the current fashion in clothes (no matter how revealing), the appliances with the most features, containers that held gourmet foods, too many empty liquor bottles and beer cans, and the shredded documents of the fortune we are trying to amass? There are some people whose hearts are not revealed by their trash. They have no trash. Sadly, they have nothing to throw away. They do not have sufficient food and they have very little clothing. We would do well to remember these words of Jesus, “Much will be required of the person who has much, and still more of the person entrusted with more.” When we bring our trash to the curb we should ask, “How much treasure have I been entrusted with? What does this trash reveal about my heart?”
August 15, 2010 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Luke 1:42
On November 1, 1950 Pope Pius XII, in his Encyclical Letter Munificentissimus Deus, proclaimed, declared and defined to be divinely revealed dogma that “...the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” Some ask why, how, when, and where? Those are fair questions. The simple answer is “It’s a mystery!” But it is more important to ask, “Why not?” Why would Jesus not want to honor the young girl who accepted God’s call to be his mother (at great risk to her life), who carried him in her womb and gave birth to him in a cave, who watched him grow and was with him when he died on a cross, and who rejoiced at his Resurrection by assuming her uncorrupted body to be with him in heaven for eternity? The world would be a much better place if we all honored our parents, family, friends and the strangers who often do so much for us that we do not appreciate! Once again Jesus reveals to us that gratitude is the beginning of generosity.
August 22, 2010 – Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
“I do not know where you are from.” Luke 13:22-30
What will we do if Jesus speaks those words to us when we finally meet him? Will our faces go pale and our knees buckle? Will we be very frightened? Will we mumble, “I ate and drank in your company and you taught me”? What if Jesus ask us, “But what did you learn? Did you eat and drink in the company of the hungry, the homeless, the naked, the oppressed, the diseased? Do they know where you are from?” If people in need in our world know where we are from, Jesus will know where we are from. He will recognize us right away. He will be anxiously waiting for us to enter into his presence. Jesus is very clear: “People will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at the table in the Kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” Where do we want to be when we all take our places in the God’s Kingdom, last or first?
August 29, 2010 – Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, the unwanted; blessed will you be because of their inability to repay you.” Luke 14:1, 7-14
A parishioner noted to his pastor that Jesus dined with the rich and famous of his day. He asked, “Do you think Jesus would belong to an exclusive country club if he were here today?” The pastor answered, “I suspect he might, if he could afford it. But his guests would include people who could not afford it, people who need a bath and a new set of clothes, people who have not recently had a decent meal, people who are lame, who limp, or feel their way with a white cane.” The pastor then said to his parishioner, “You belong to a very exclusive country club. Have you ever brought such guest to your club?” The man said nothing. He had many possessions. The pastor added, “When we leave Mass and go into God’s world we are supposed to be Jesus present in that world. So, when you are at your exclusive country club Jesus is a member. You might want to start reviewing your guest list.”
Submitted by Deacon Jerry Martinez of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, ICSC Stewardship Newsletter, August 2010
Agosto 1, 2010 – Décimo Octavo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“Mirad, y guardaos de toda codicia.” San Lucas 12:13-21
La codicia es una emoción muy insidiosa y seductiva. Está en la raíz de todo pecado. Fue un factor del pecado del primer hombre y la primera mujer en el Paraíso. Ellos no estuvieron satisfechos de estar agradecidos por todo lo que Dios les había dado. Ellos quisieron ser Dios. George Carlin hizo una rutina en una comedia acerca de las cosas. El dijo que: obtenemos
cosas y entonces necesitamos obtener una casa para poner nuestras cosas. Entonces necesitamos obtener más cosas. Así que nosotros, necesitamos una casa más grande para nuestras cosas. Vamos de vacaciones y tomamos algunas de nuestras cosas. Pero compramos cosas que no necesitamos y regresamos a casa con más cosas. Nuestras vidas están llenas con cosas. Y nosotros estamos muy apegados a nuestras cosas. Nuestro apego a nuestras cosas proviene de nuestra creencia errónea de que nosotros somos la fuente de todas nuestras cosas, y que las hemos adquirido con nuestro esfuerzo e ingenuidad. Cuando nosotros reconocemos a Dios como la fuente de todo lo que somos y de todo lo que tenemos, y de todo lo que seremos,
podemos disfrutar de las cosas que tenemos y compartirlas con otros, sin estar obsesionados por obtener y conservar más cosas de las que necesitamos realmente para disfrutar de la vida.
Agosto 8, 2010 – Décimo Noveno Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“Porque donde está vuestro tesoro, allí estará también vuestro corazón.” San Lucas 12:32-48
La basura que ponemos en el borde de la acera para ser desechada revela mucho acerca de quienes somos y de lo que hacemos en la vida. Contiene los empaques de los productos que atesoramos. Revela donde están nuestros corazones. ¿Qué está en nuestra basura? ¿Son los empaques de nuestros últimos juegos electrónicos, el mejor tipo de equipo atlético, la moda
actual en ropa (no importa cuán reveladora sea), los aparatos con más características, contenedores que almacenaron alimentos gourmet, demasiadas botellas de licor y latas de cerveza vacías, y los trozos de documentos de la fortuna que tratamos de amasar? Hay personas de quienes sus corazones no están revelados por su basura. No tienen basura. Tristemente ellas no tienen nada que tirar. Ellas no tienen suficiente comida y tienen muy poca ropa. Nosotros haríamos bien si recordamos estas palabras de Jesús, “Mucho se le pedirá a quien mucho tiene, y más aún a quien más se le ha confiado.” Cuando llevemos nuestra basura a la acera, debemos preguntarnos ¿Cuánto tesoro me ha sido confiado? ¿Qué revela esta basura acerca de mi corazón?
Agosto 15, 2010 – Solemnidad de la Asunción de la Santísima Virgen María
“Bendita tú entre las mujeres, y bendito el fruto de tu vientre.” San Lucas 1:42
En noviembre 1 de 1950 el Papa Pío XII, en su Carta Encíclica Munificentissimus Deus, proclamó, declaró y definió que fuera dogma revelado divinamente el que “…la Inmaculada Madre de Dios, la siempre Virgen María, habiendo completado el curso de su vida terrenal, fue llevada cuerpo y alma a la Gloria del cielo.” Algunos preguntan ¿por qué, cómo, cuándo y dónde? Estas son preguntas justas. La respuesta es simple “Este es un misterio” Pero es más importante preguntar, ¿por qué no? ¿Por qué Jesús no querría honrar a la joven que aceptó el llamado de Dios para ser su madre (con un gran riesgo para su vida), quien lo llevó en su vientre y lo trajo a la vida en una cueva, quien lo vio crecer y estuvo con él cuando murió en una cruz, y quien se regocijó en su Resurrección; elevando su cuerpo incorrupto para estar con él en el cielo por toda la eternidad? El mundo sería un mejor lugar si todos honrásemos a nuestros padres, familiares, amigos y a los extraños que frecuentemente hacen mucho por nosotros y que no apreciamos. Una vez más Jesús nos revela que la gratitud es el principio de la generosidad.
Agosto 22, 2010 – Vigésimo Primer Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“Os digo que no se de dónde sois.” San Lucas 13:22-30
¿Qué haremos si Jesús nos dice esas palabras cuando finalmente nos reunamos con él? ¿Nuestro rostro palidecerá y se doblarán nuestras rodillas? ¿Estaremos muy atemorizados? Murmuraremos, “Yo comí y bebí en tu compañía y tú me enseñaste.” Y si Jesús nos pregunta, ¿pero tú, qué aprendiste? ¿Comiste y bebiste en compañía del hambriento, el desamparado, el desnudo, el oprimido, o el enfermo? ¿Saben ellos de dónde eres? Si la gente en necesidad, en nuestro mundo, sabe de donde eres, Jesús lo sabrá también. Él nos reconocerá inmediatamente. Él estará esperando ansiosamente por nosotros para entrar en su presencia. Jesús es muy claro: “Vendrá gente del este y del oeste y del norte y del sur y se reclinará en la mesa en el Reino de Dios. Para contemplar, que algunos de los primeros serán de los últimos y algunos de los últimos serán de los primeros.” ¿Dónde queremos estar cuando todos tomemos nuestros lugares en el Reino de Dios, en los últimos o en los primeros?
Agosto 29, 2010 – Vigésimo Segundo Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“Llama a los pobres, los mancos, los cojos y los ciegos, y serás bienaventurado; porque ellos no te pueden recompensar.” San Lucas 14:1, 7-14
Un feligrés hizo notar a su pastor que Jesús cenó con ricos y famosos de ese tiempo. Él preguntó, ¿cree usted que Jesús pertenecería a un exclusivo club campestre si él estuviera aquí hoy? El pastor contestó, “Supongo que tal vez si él pudiera pagarlo. Pero sus invitados incluirían gente que no podría pagarlo, gente que necesitaría un baño o un nuevo juego de ropa, gente que no ha tenido recientemente una comida decente, gente paralítica, gente que cojea, o que guía sus pasos por medio de un bastón.” El pastor dijo entonces a su feligrés, “Tú perteneces a un exclusivo club campestre. ¿Has llevado alguna vez un invitado así a tu club?” El hombre no dijo nada. Él tiene muchas posesiones. El pastor agregó, “Cuando salimos de Misa y vamos al mundo de Dios, se supone que somos la presencia de Jesús en este mundo. Entonces, cuando tú estás en tu exclusivo club campestre Jesús es un miembro. Quizás quieras empezar a revisar tu lista de invitados.”
por: Diácono Jerry Martinez de la Arquidiócesis de New Orleans, ICSC Newsletter, August 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
July Parish Bulletin Announcements
July 4 – 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The seventy-two returned, rejoicing, and said,
‘Lord, even demons are subject to us because of your
name.’” Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
The seventy-two disciples that Jesus sent in thirty-six
directions were amazed at their success. Did they really
have faith in Jesus as they left on their mission? We can
almost hear them grumbling, “He is sending us like
lambs among wolves with no money, no provisions, no
sandals, and we cannot even greet people on the way.
Does he expect us to work miracles?” But off they went.
And they performed miracles. Despite their doubts, they
had faith in Jesus and they were able to do great things
because of their faith. When we feel called to step out in
faith to imitate Jesus in our world, do we have doubts?
Do we fail to act because of our doubts? Or do we act,
despite our doubts, amazed at what we can accomplish
when we have faith in Jesus? As a result of our Baptism,
it is our responsibility to nurture our faith in Jesus so we
can constantly be amazed at what we can accomplish in
His name.
July 11 – 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time
“Which one of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to
the robbers’ victim?”
He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Luke 10:25-37
“Rabbi, why do Jews always answer a question with a
question?” The rabbi responded, “And why shouldn’t
we?” Jesus is a Jew. When the scholar of the (Jewish)
law asked him, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit
eternal life?” Jesus answered with a question, “What is
written in the law?” The scholar quotes Deuteronomy 6:5
You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart,
being, strength and mind and Leviticus 19:19 ...and your
neighbor as yourself. The scholar knew the law. It had
been handed down by Moses. But the scholar (a lawyer)
looks for a loophole: “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus
answers this question with the story of the Good
Samaritan, then ask, “Which one, in your opinion, was
neighbor to the robber’s victim?” The scholar answers,
“The one who treated him with mercy.” The scholar had
no other choice. If we are true believers in Jesus, neither
do we. Jesus challenges us to want for our neighbor what
we want ourselves. And everyone is our neighbor, no
matter how unlovable they may be.
July 18 – 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many
things.” Luke 10:38-42
Martha is doing what was expected of a good Jewish
woman of her day – preparing food for her family and
guest. Her sister Mary, also a good Jewish woman, plops
herself down at the feet of Jesus and absorbs every word
He says. Martha finally confronts Jesus, “Lord, make her
help me!” Jesus knows that Martha is not doing anything
wrong. She is doing what she believes is expected of her.
And she is doing it very well. Jesus suggest she should
not be so concerned about what others expect of her, but
should spend time to discern what God expects of her.
What God expects of us can be quite different than what
the world expects of us. We discern God’s will for us in
prayer – prayer that is not about what we say to God, but
about what we are willing to hear from God.
July 25 – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Lord, teach us to pray!” Luke 11:1-14
Abraham bargains to save Sodom. He starts out with
fifty innocent people. God agrees. Obviously lacking
confidence he will find fifty, he bargains God down to
ten. He could not even find ten, so Sodom is destroyed.
The Old Testament covenants were bargains with God.
God always kept his part. The patriarchs and Israelites
were not so faithful. The disciples saw Jesus as a person
who was faithful to the Covenant and a man of prayer.
They asked Him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” He teaches
them the Our Father. Then He tells the stories of the
persistent woman and fathers who give their children
bread and eggs, not snakes and scorpions. Are we
confident when we pray to God, Our Father in heaven,
that His Kingdom, not ours, will come; that His will, not
ours, be done; for our daily bread not tomorrow’s or next
year’s; and to forgive our sins as we forgive others? Are
we good stewards who are persistent in prayer to learn
God’s will? If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving may
not be your thing. Try prayer instead. And keep trying!
Julio 4 – 14º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“Volvieron los setenta con gozo, diciendo, “Señor aún los
demonios se sujetan a nosotros en Tu nombre.”
Lucas 10:1-12, 17-20
Los setenta y dos discípulos que Jesús envió en treinta y
seis direcciones estaban sorprendidos de su éxito. ¿Tenían
verdaderamente fe en Jesús cuando salieron a su misión?
Casi podemos escucharles refunfuñando, “Él nos envía
como ovejas entre lobos, sin dinero, sin provisiones, sin
sandalias, y no podemos siquiera saludar a la gente en el
camino. ¿Acaso Él espera que hagamos milagros?” Pero
ellos salieron, e hicieron milagros. A pesar de sus dudas,
tuvieron fe en Jesús y obraron grandes cosas por su fe.
Cuando nos sentimos llamados a intensificar la fe para
imitar a Jesús en nuestro mundo, ¿tenemos dudas? O
¿actuamos a pesar de ellas, sorprendidos de lo que podemos
lograr cuando tenemos fe en Jesús? Como resultado de
nuestro Bautismo, es nuestra responsabilidad nutrir nuestra
fe en Jesús, para que así podamos sorprendernos
constantemente de lo que podemos lograr en Su nombre.
Julio 11 – 15º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“¿Quién pues de estos tres, te parece que fue el prójimo del
que cayó en manos de los ladrones?
Él contestó: el que usó de misericordia con él.”
Lucas 10:25-37
“Maestro, ¿por qué los judíos siempre responden una
pregunta con otra pregunta?” El maestro respondió ¿y
por qué no deberíamos? Jesús es Judío. Cuando el erudito
de la ley (Judía) le preguntó, “Maestro, ¿qué debo hacer
para heredar la vida eterna?” Jesús respondió con una
pregunta, “¿Qué está escrito en la ley?” El erudito citó
Deuteronomio 6:5 Amarás al Señor tu Dios de todo tu
corazón, y de toda tu alma y con todas tus fuerzas y
Levítico 19:19…y a tu prójimo como a ti mismo. El
erudito conocía la ley. Había sido legada por Moisés.
Pero siendo (estudioso de la ley) buscaba una
ambigüedad: “¿Quién es mi prójimo?” Jesús respondió
esta pregunta con la historia del Buen Samaritano,
entonces preguntó, “¿Quien pues, te parece que fue el
prójimo del que cayó en manos de los ladrones?” El
erudito respondió “Aquel que mostró misericordia con
él.” El erudito no tuvo otra opción. Si somos auténticos
creyentes en Jesús tampoco nosotros la tenemos. Jesús
nos desafía a querer para nuestro prójimo lo que
queremos para nosotros mismos. Y todos son nuestros
prójimos, a pesar de lo detestable que algunos pudieran
parecer.
Julio 18 – 16º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“Marta, Marta, afanada y turbada estás con muchas
cosas.” Lucas 10:38-42
Marta hacía lo que se esperaba de una Buena mujer
Judía de sus días – preparar los alimentos para su familia
e invitado. Su hermana María, una Buena mujer Judía
también, se sienta a los pies de Jesús y cautiva cada
palabra que Él dice. Finalmente. Marta confronta a Jesús,
“Señor, dile que me ayude.” Jesús sabe que Marta no
hace algo equivocado. Ella hace lo que cree que se espera
de ella; y lo hace muy bien. Jesús le sugiere que no debe
preocuparse tanto por lo que los demás esperan de ella,
pero debe procurar un tiempo para discernir lo que Dios
espera de ella. Lo que Dios espera de nosotros puede ser
relativamente diferente de lo que el mundo espera de
nosotros. Discernimos la voluntad de Dios para nosotros
en oración – no la oración que decimos a Dios, sino en la
que estamos dispuestos a escuchar de Dios.
Julio 25 – 17º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“¡Señor, enséñanos a orar!” Lucas 11:1-14
Abraham negocia salvar a Sodoma. Él inicia con
cincuenta personas inocentes. Dios está de acuerdo.
Obviamente desconfía de encontrar cincuenta, y negocia
con Dios bajar el número a diez, de no encontrarlos
Sodoma sería destruida. Los convenios del Antiguo
Testamento fueron regateos con Dios. Dios siempre
cumplió su parte. Los patriarcas e israelitas no siempre
fueron fieles. Los discípulos vieron a Jesús como una
persona que fue fiel al Convenio y un hombre de oración.
Ellos le pidieron, “Señor, enséñanos a orar.” Él les
enseña el Padre Nuestro. Entonces les narra las historias,
de la determinada mujer y de los padres que dan a sus
hijos pan y huevos, no serpientes y escorpiones.
Nosotros, confiamos cuando oramos a Dios, nuestro
Padre en el cielo, que Su Reino, no el nuestro, ¿vendrá?;
que Su voluntad, no la nuestra, ¿se hará?; por nuestro
pan de cada día, no el de mañana o del año próximo; y
por el perdón de nuestros pecados ¿como nosotros
perdonamos los de otros? ¿Somos buenos
corresponsables que persistimos en la oración para
aprender la voluntad de Dios? Si al inicio no lo logra,
puede ser que el paracaidismo no sea su habilidad. En
cambio, trate de orar. ¡Y continúe tratando!
Source: ICSC Newsletter -by Dn. Jerry Martinez, J.D., M.Th.
Archdiocese of New Orleans
“The seventy-two returned, rejoicing, and said,
‘Lord, even demons are subject to us because of your
name.’” Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
The seventy-two disciples that Jesus sent in thirty-six
directions were amazed at their success. Did they really
have faith in Jesus as they left on their mission? We can
almost hear them grumbling, “He is sending us like
lambs among wolves with no money, no provisions, no
sandals, and we cannot even greet people on the way.
Does he expect us to work miracles?” But off they went.
And they performed miracles. Despite their doubts, they
had faith in Jesus and they were able to do great things
because of their faith. When we feel called to step out in
faith to imitate Jesus in our world, do we have doubts?
Do we fail to act because of our doubts? Or do we act,
despite our doubts, amazed at what we can accomplish
when we have faith in Jesus? As a result of our Baptism,
it is our responsibility to nurture our faith in Jesus so we
can constantly be amazed at what we can accomplish in
His name.
July 11 – 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time
“Which one of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to
the robbers’ victim?”
He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Luke 10:25-37
“Rabbi, why do Jews always answer a question with a
question?” The rabbi responded, “And why shouldn’t
we?” Jesus is a Jew. When the scholar of the (Jewish)
law asked him, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit
eternal life?” Jesus answered with a question, “What is
written in the law?” The scholar quotes Deuteronomy 6:5
You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart,
being, strength and mind and Leviticus 19:19 ...and your
neighbor as yourself. The scholar knew the law. It had
been handed down by Moses. But the scholar (a lawyer)
looks for a loophole: “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus
answers this question with the story of the Good
Samaritan, then ask, “Which one, in your opinion, was
neighbor to the robber’s victim?” The scholar answers,
“The one who treated him with mercy.” The scholar had
no other choice. If we are true believers in Jesus, neither
do we. Jesus challenges us to want for our neighbor what
we want ourselves. And everyone is our neighbor, no
matter how unlovable they may be.
July 18 – 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many
things.” Luke 10:38-42
Martha is doing what was expected of a good Jewish
woman of her day – preparing food for her family and
guest. Her sister Mary, also a good Jewish woman, plops
herself down at the feet of Jesus and absorbs every word
He says. Martha finally confronts Jesus, “Lord, make her
help me!” Jesus knows that Martha is not doing anything
wrong. She is doing what she believes is expected of her.
And she is doing it very well. Jesus suggest she should
not be so concerned about what others expect of her, but
should spend time to discern what God expects of her.
What God expects of us can be quite different than what
the world expects of us. We discern God’s will for us in
prayer – prayer that is not about what we say to God, but
about what we are willing to hear from God.
July 25 – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Lord, teach us to pray!” Luke 11:1-14
Abraham bargains to save Sodom. He starts out with
fifty innocent people. God agrees. Obviously lacking
confidence he will find fifty, he bargains God down to
ten. He could not even find ten, so Sodom is destroyed.
The Old Testament covenants were bargains with God.
God always kept his part. The patriarchs and Israelites
were not so faithful. The disciples saw Jesus as a person
who was faithful to the Covenant and a man of prayer.
They asked Him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” He teaches
them the Our Father. Then He tells the stories of the
persistent woman and fathers who give their children
bread and eggs, not snakes and scorpions. Are we
confident when we pray to God, Our Father in heaven,
that His Kingdom, not ours, will come; that His will, not
ours, be done; for our daily bread not tomorrow’s or next
year’s; and to forgive our sins as we forgive others? Are
we good stewards who are persistent in prayer to learn
God’s will? If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving may
not be your thing. Try prayer instead. And keep trying!
Julio 4 – 14º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“Volvieron los setenta con gozo, diciendo, “Señor aún los
demonios se sujetan a nosotros en Tu nombre.”
Lucas 10:1-12, 17-20
Los setenta y dos discípulos que Jesús envió en treinta y
seis direcciones estaban sorprendidos de su éxito. ¿Tenían
verdaderamente fe en Jesús cuando salieron a su misión?
Casi podemos escucharles refunfuñando, “Él nos envía
como ovejas entre lobos, sin dinero, sin provisiones, sin
sandalias, y no podemos siquiera saludar a la gente en el
camino. ¿Acaso Él espera que hagamos milagros?” Pero
ellos salieron, e hicieron milagros. A pesar de sus dudas,
tuvieron fe en Jesús y obraron grandes cosas por su fe.
Cuando nos sentimos llamados a intensificar la fe para
imitar a Jesús en nuestro mundo, ¿tenemos dudas? O
¿actuamos a pesar de ellas, sorprendidos de lo que podemos
lograr cuando tenemos fe en Jesús? Como resultado de
nuestro Bautismo, es nuestra responsabilidad nutrir nuestra
fe en Jesús, para que así podamos sorprendernos
constantemente de lo que podemos lograr en Su nombre.
Julio 11 – 15º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“¿Quién pues de estos tres, te parece que fue el prójimo del
que cayó en manos de los ladrones?
Él contestó: el que usó de misericordia con él.”
Lucas 10:25-37
“Maestro, ¿por qué los judíos siempre responden una
pregunta con otra pregunta?” El maestro respondió ¿y
por qué no deberíamos? Jesús es Judío. Cuando el erudito
de la ley (Judía) le preguntó, “Maestro, ¿qué debo hacer
para heredar la vida eterna?” Jesús respondió con una
pregunta, “¿Qué está escrito en la ley?” El erudito citó
Deuteronomio 6:5 Amarás al Señor tu Dios de todo tu
corazón, y de toda tu alma y con todas tus fuerzas y
Levítico 19:19…y a tu prójimo como a ti mismo. El
erudito conocía la ley. Había sido legada por Moisés.
Pero siendo (estudioso de la ley) buscaba una
ambigüedad: “¿Quién es mi prójimo?” Jesús respondió
esta pregunta con la historia del Buen Samaritano,
entonces preguntó, “¿Quien pues, te parece que fue el
prójimo del que cayó en manos de los ladrones?” El
erudito respondió “Aquel que mostró misericordia con
él.” El erudito no tuvo otra opción. Si somos auténticos
creyentes en Jesús tampoco nosotros la tenemos. Jesús
nos desafía a querer para nuestro prójimo lo que
queremos para nosotros mismos. Y todos son nuestros
prójimos, a pesar de lo detestable que algunos pudieran
parecer.
Julio 18 – 16º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“Marta, Marta, afanada y turbada estás con muchas
cosas.” Lucas 10:38-42
Marta hacía lo que se esperaba de una Buena mujer
Judía de sus días – preparar los alimentos para su familia
e invitado. Su hermana María, una Buena mujer Judía
también, se sienta a los pies de Jesús y cautiva cada
palabra que Él dice. Finalmente. Marta confronta a Jesús,
“Señor, dile que me ayude.” Jesús sabe que Marta no
hace algo equivocado. Ella hace lo que cree que se espera
de ella; y lo hace muy bien. Jesús le sugiere que no debe
preocuparse tanto por lo que los demás esperan de ella,
pero debe procurar un tiempo para discernir lo que Dios
espera de ella. Lo que Dios espera de nosotros puede ser
relativamente diferente de lo que el mundo espera de
nosotros. Discernimos la voluntad de Dios para nosotros
en oración – no la oración que decimos a Dios, sino en la
que estamos dispuestos a escuchar de Dios.
Julio 25 – 17º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario
“¡Señor, enséñanos a orar!” Lucas 11:1-14
Abraham negocia salvar a Sodoma. Él inicia con
cincuenta personas inocentes. Dios está de acuerdo.
Obviamente desconfía de encontrar cincuenta, y negocia
con Dios bajar el número a diez, de no encontrarlos
Sodoma sería destruida. Los convenios del Antiguo
Testamento fueron regateos con Dios. Dios siempre
cumplió su parte. Los patriarcas e israelitas no siempre
fueron fieles. Los discípulos vieron a Jesús como una
persona que fue fiel al Convenio y un hombre de oración.
Ellos le pidieron, “Señor, enséñanos a orar.” Él les
enseña el Padre Nuestro. Entonces les narra las historias,
de la determinada mujer y de los padres que dan a sus
hijos pan y huevos, no serpientes y escorpiones.
Nosotros, confiamos cuando oramos a Dios, nuestro
Padre en el cielo, que Su Reino, no el nuestro, ¿vendrá?;
que Su voluntad, no la nuestra, ¿se hará?; por nuestro
pan de cada día, no el de mañana o del año próximo; y
por el perdón de nuestros pecados ¿como nosotros
perdonamos los de otros? ¿Somos buenos
corresponsables que persistimos en la oración para
aprender la voluntad de Dios? Si al inicio no lo logra,
puede ser que el paracaidismo no sea su habilidad. En
cambio, trate de orar. ¡Y continúe tratando!
Source: ICSC Newsletter -by Dn. Jerry Martinez, J.D., M.Th.
Archdiocese of New Orleans
Monday, June 14, 2010
Good Steward
The latest from O'Meara Feguson – “A Good Steward Receives God’s Gifts Gratefully”
A STEWARD CULTIVATES GOD’S GIFTS RESPONSIBLY
Stewardship is an action concept. It is about who we are, what we do and how we do it. A Christian steward sees all of life as a call to faithfulness, faithfulness to God in all things. All the gifts we receive come with the expectation that we will cultivate them faithfully out of the respect and love we have for God
A CHRISTIAN STEWARD SHARES GOD’S GIFTS LOVINGLY
When thinking about sharing God’s gifts in love and justice, sometimes a person wonders where he or she is supposed to do this sharing. The reality is that there are needy persons to love and serve everywhere. There are lonely people everywhere. There are hungry people to feed and homeless people to house everywhere. It’s a matter of deciding to “bloom where you are planted” by serving others wherever you find them.
A CHRISTIAN STEWARD RETURNS GOD’S GIFTS WITH INCREASE
While there is much to say about spontaneous acts of generosity, the Scriptures have more to say about planning to give. Giving that is purposeful is giving that has been considered, deepened and enlarged through prayer. Planning one’s giving is the first step in making stewardship a faith venture, not simply an impulse venture.
UN CORRESPONSABLE CULTIVA RESPONSABLEMENTE LOS DONES QUE RECIBE DE DIOS
Corresponsabilidad es un concepto de acción. Se refiere a lo que somos, lo que hacemos y como lo hacemos. Un corresponsable cristiano ve todo en la vida como un llamado a la fe; esa fe en todas las cosas puestas en Dios. Cada aspecto de nuestra vida es algo que Dios nos confía para que cultivemos responsablemente, motivados por el amor y el respeto que sentimos hacia Dios.
UN CORRESPONSABLE COMPARTE LOS DONES DE DIOS CON AMOR
Cuando pensamos a compartir los dones de Dios en amor y justicia, hay veces en que no sabemos donde se supone que debemos hacerlo. La realidad es que hay personas necesitadas de amor y servicio en todas partes. Hay gente que se siente sola por donde quiera. Hay gente hambrienta y sin casa que necesita de nuestra ayuda en todos lados. Solo es cuestión de decidirse a servir a los demás donde quiera que los encontremos.
UN CORRESPONSABLE CRISTIANO REGRESA LOS DONES DE DIOS EN MAYOR PROPORCION
Mientras que hay mucho que decir acerca de actos espontáneos de generosidad, las Escrituras tienen mucho más que decir acerca de cómo podemos dar de una manera planeada. Dar de una manera intencionada se convierte en una ofrenda que fue previamente considerada, haciéndolo de una manera profunda y engrandecida a través de la oración. Planear nuestras ofrendas es el primer paso a tomar para hacer de la Corresponsabilidad, una aventura de fe, en lugar de una simple acción impulsiva.
Source: O'Meara Ferguson Web Site O'Meara Ferguson Blog
A STEWARD CULTIVATES GOD’S GIFTS RESPONSIBLY
Stewardship is an action concept. It is about who we are, what we do and how we do it. A Christian steward sees all of life as a call to faithfulness, faithfulness to God in all things. All the gifts we receive come with the expectation that we will cultivate them faithfully out of the respect and love we have for God
A CHRISTIAN STEWARD SHARES GOD’S GIFTS LOVINGLY
When thinking about sharing God’s gifts in love and justice, sometimes a person wonders where he or she is supposed to do this sharing. The reality is that there are needy persons to love and serve everywhere. There are lonely people everywhere. There are hungry people to feed and homeless people to house everywhere. It’s a matter of deciding to “bloom where you are planted” by serving others wherever you find them.
A CHRISTIAN STEWARD RETURNS GOD’S GIFTS WITH INCREASE
While there is much to say about spontaneous acts of generosity, the Scriptures have more to say about planning to give. Giving that is purposeful is giving that has been considered, deepened and enlarged through prayer. Planning one’s giving is the first step in making stewardship a faith venture, not simply an impulse venture.
UN CORRESPONSABLE CULTIVA RESPONSABLEMENTE LOS DONES QUE RECIBE DE DIOS
Corresponsabilidad es un concepto de acción. Se refiere a lo que somos, lo que hacemos y como lo hacemos. Un corresponsable cristiano ve todo en la vida como un llamado a la fe; esa fe en todas las cosas puestas en Dios. Cada aspecto de nuestra vida es algo que Dios nos confía para que cultivemos responsablemente, motivados por el amor y el respeto que sentimos hacia Dios.
UN CORRESPONSABLE COMPARTE LOS DONES DE DIOS CON AMOR
Cuando pensamos a compartir los dones de Dios en amor y justicia, hay veces en que no sabemos donde se supone que debemos hacerlo. La realidad es que hay personas necesitadas de amor y servicio en todas partes. Hay gente que se siente sola por donde quiera. Hay gente hambrienta y sin casa que necesita de nuestra ayuda en todos lados. Solo es cuestión de decidirse a servir a los demás donde quiera que los encontremos.
UN CORRESPONSABLE CRISTIANO REGRESA LOS DONES DE DIOS EN MAYOR PROPORCION
Mientras que hay mucho que decir acerca de actos espontáneos de generosidad, las Escrituras tienen mucho más que decir acerca de cómo podemos dar de una manera planeada. Dar de una manera intencionada se convierte en una ofrenda que fue previamente considerada, haciéndolo de una manera profunda y engrandecida a través de la oración. Planear nuestras ofrendas es el primer paso a tomar para hacer de la Corresponsabilidad, una aventura de fe, en lugar de una simple acción impulsiva.
Source: O'Meara Ferguson Web Site O'Meara Ferguson Blog
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