Category Archives: Stewardship Bulletin Reflections

February 12, 2012 — Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lv 13:1-2, 44-46; Responsorial Psalm Ps 32:1-2, 5, 11; 1 Cor 10:31-11:1; Mk 1:40-45

“Do everything for the glory of God,” Paul tells the Corinthians in today’s second reading.

Indeed, we are all charged with that same task. As Christian disciples, we are called to live in such a way that all we do and say gives glory to the Lord. We recognize that He is the one who has given us the many good gifts we enjoy – our time, our talents, and our treasure. Even our very lives come by way of gift from God, and it is our duty as His disciples to use the many gifts He has given us in such a way that we bear witness to Him.

It is not an easy task, particularly in the world in which we live. We are surrounded by so much relativistic thinking, and engulfed in a culture of selfishness. The secular society tells us that what “I” want to do and when “I” want to do it is all that matters. Yet, we know that there is so much beyond our “here and now” life on Earth. There is so much beyond the “feel-good” mentality of our culture. We are here to know, love, and to serve God, and when we do so, all who come in contact with us will see Christ.

It is a difficult task to be in the world but not of it, and to live for one person and one person only: the Lord. But we know that, when we do, we are richly rewarded. The life of a Christian disciple isn’t an easy one. In fact, just as the Corinthians to whom Paul writes this letter, we are sure to confront constant opposition, but when we live for Christ, giving Him glory in all we do – at home, at work, at school, and elsewhere, we are richly blessed.

February 5, 2012 — Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jb 7:1-4, 6-7; Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23; Mk 1:29-39

In the gospel today, Jesus heals the sick and performs other such miracles. He then tells His disciples that He cannot stay. He must move on to the next town and continue preaching and healing others. “For this purpose have I come,” Jesus says.

As Christ’s disciples, it is our purpose and our mission to proclaim the Word of God to the world today. We are, in effect, the hands and feet of Christ, and He calls each one of us to continue His ministry of proclaiming the good news. In fact, that is why He established the Church – to call all men to Himself.

Each one of us plays a very important role in the Church’s mission. We are all vital members of the One Church, and the Lord has given us many good gifts with which to carry out this mission. When we live our lives for the glory of God and use our gifts – our time, our talents, and our treasure – to serve the Lord by serving others, people are sure to see Christ in us. People are sure to be drawn to our way of life, to the hope and happiness Christ offers, and men are sure to come to Him.

Later in Mark’s gospel, when Jesus tells the apostles, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation,” (Mk. 16:15), He was speaking to the whole Church. Let us take ownership of our call. May we all use our God-given gifts, our time, our talent, and our treasure – to proclaim the good news: Christ has come to save all and He offers everyone life everlasting. It is a wonderfully hope-filled message. May our lives reflect its truth!

January 29, 2012 – Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dt 18:15-20; Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1:21-28

As Christ’s disciples, we are called to recognize all of our gifts as God-given – our time, our talents, and our treasure and to use them accordingly, putting them at the service of the Lord.

Today’s readings remind us that it is the Lord whom we serve. In the gospel, when Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, “Quiet! Come out of Him!” the gospel tells us, “The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed.”

It is amazing. God has authority over the whole world, and He has seen fit to bless us with so many good gifts, to give us life and family and faith, time and talents and treasure. It is only fitting that we recognize those gifts as God-given and give of them in gratitude to the One who has blessed us so.

So, we live to love and serve Him in all we do. Whether we are a mother or father, brother or sister, married or single, doctor or lawyer, writer or singer, it is our duty as Christian stewards to live our lives to the praise and glory of God. All that we do ought to proclaim His goodness to those around us.

In the first reading from Deuteronomy, the writer reminds us of this call. Speaking of prophets whose role it is to proclaim the Good News, he says, “But if a prophet presumes to speak in My name an oracle that I have not commanded him to speak, or speaks in the names of other gods, he shall die.”

Indeed, it is God whom we serve. We are called to live not for our own sake, but for the sake of the Gospel, being sure that through all we say and do, we help others see God.

January 22, 2012 – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jon 3:1-5, 10; Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20

Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee and called the first disciples, inviting them, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.”

In much the same way, Christ calls each of us to follow Him and to use the time, talents, and treasure He has given us to build the Kingdom.

St. Paul reminds us, “the world in its present form is passing away.” So, we ought not to get caught up in the things of this world. We ought to live in this world but not of it, proclaiming the goodness of God and the glory of His Kingdom.

Each one of us has been given particular gifts of time, talent, and treasure, and it is up to us to recognize those gifts and to share them lovingly in such a way that God will be glorified and we will call others to come to know him. In all we say and do, we must honor Him. He must be more important to us than anything else – more important than our careers, more important than our hobbies, even more important than our families. The disciples in today’s gospel show us just how unreserved our response to God must be. They left their nets – their careers as fishermen – and left their father, to serve the Lord.

For most of us, the call to discipleship will not require us to leave behind family and friends and even our secular career. But for all of us, the call to be a disciple means God must be first and foremost in our lives, and we must offer Him the first fruits of our time, talents, and treasure as His faithful followers.

January 15, 2012 — Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn. 1:35-42

The theme of today’s readings is one any stewardship parish should be familiar with, and one whose message bears such a significant impact on our lives that it is well worth repeating time and time again.

God calls each one of us to be His disciples. He knows we are made to know, love and serve Him, and so He reveals Himself to us and calls us to Himself. Just as He called Samuel in the first reading, and then Andrew, Simon Peter, and the unnamed disciple in the Gospel reading, God calls us. He invites us to share in His life of love, because He knows that’s what we are made for.

However, His call necessitates a response. God doesn’t force us into a relationship with Him. Rather, He reveals Himself to us, much like He did to the men in today’s readings.

Both the Old Testament reading and the Gospel tell us of men who heard God’s call, responded by willfully following the Lord and then offered themselves to God as His stewards, using their gifts to bring others to Him.

God calls each and every one of us today, and He wants us to respond. We hear His call in numerous ways, and often, just like He did with Samuel and Andrew, the Lord uses other people to reveal Himself to us, to call us to Himself. We simply must be open to the call, keeping our hearts and minds fixed on Him, and then, we must respond to Him. Our response involves a willing gift of self, offering the Lord all we are – our time, our talent, and our treasure – to serve Him. Then, our lives will bear witness to the Love and goodness of the Lord, and, just as Andrew brought Simon, we will help others find the Lord.

January 8, 2012 — The Epiphany of the Lord

Is. 60:1-6; Ps. 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13; Eph. 3:2, 3a, 5-6; Mt. 2:1-12

The theme of this Sunday’s Scripture readings is two-fold: God manifests Himself and man responds to that manifestation with gifts of gratitude and conversion of heart.

The Magi, who were likely astrologists and magicians, made the long journey from somewhere far away to see the Savior, and when they saw him, they gave Him themselves. The gold, frankincense, and myrrh were likely “tricks of the trade” they surrendered to the Lord upon meeting Him. Then, the Gospel tells us, they departed from another way.

Such language tells us not simply that the Magi traveled home on a different route, but on a deeper level, that their lives were changed that day. Their encounter with Christ made a huge impact on their lives, calling them to give of themselves and then to live the remainder of their lives accordingly.

Their story is a great example to all of us. It speaks of some universal truths.

As Christian stewards, we live for God. Everything we do and say ought to proclaim the Gospel and bring others closer to Christ so that one day, as the psalmist sings “Every nation on Earth will adore” Him.

God has given each one of us many good gifts. As stewards, let us use the gifts He has given us – our time, our talent, and our treasure – at home, at church, at work, and wherever else we find ourselves, to glorify Him and, in so doing, call others to encounter Christ and live for Him.

December 25, 2011 — Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18

Today, we celebrate the tremendous love Christ has for us, the love that led Him to enter into human history. On that first Christmas many years ago, Jesus became man. He existed before the world was made, He, in fact, has no beginning, because He is God and, therefore, has always existed, took on humanity, became one of His mere creatures and then entered into human history.

It is a baffling mystery.

How Christ can be fully God and, at the same time, fully man is beyond our comprehension. Yet, we know that He is. That first Christmas, when Mary and Joseph welcomed the sweet baby into the world, they were, in fact, welcoming their Lord and God.

Jesus entered human history as a human being so that He could take upon Himself the sins of mankind and free us from the bonds of sin and death. He came because He loves us so much.

It’s amazing. Our God is wonderful. His love is selfless, and it is boundless.

So, as we sit and exchange gifts with one another in an effort to showcase our love for each other, as stewards, let us be sure to take the time to thank the Lord for the gifts He has given us, particularly the gift of His Son through whom we can attain salvation!

Merry Christmas!

December 18, 2011 — Fourth Sunday of Advent

2Sm. 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps. 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29; Rom. 16:25-27; Lk. 1:26-38

In today’s Gospel, Mary finds out she will conceive Jesus. Christmas is right around the corner, but, much like Mary in today’s Gospel, we are still in waiting.

A young Jewish girl, Mary would have been very familiar with the expectant hope for a Messiah. So, you can imagine how flustered, fearful, and even a bit confused she might have been when the angel Gabriel appeared to her, announcing that she had been chosen to bear the long-awaited Savior.

Mary exclaimed, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”

There is so much we can learn from Mary’s response. She recognized her life was not truly her own. She surrendered to God’s will.  What a powerful witness of the amazing things God can accomplish through us as stewards, when we give ourselves to Him in service, when we surrender our lives to Him.

Because of Mary’s “yes” to God, the Lord will continue the good work He begun in her. The reading from 2 Samuel today communicates this same message. The Lord has done great things for King David – protecting him from his enemies, and more, and, when David sets out to build a temple for the Ark of the Covenant, the Lord reminds him that He is source of all good things, He is the giver of all good gifts, and He promises to care for His people.

Much like David and Mary, we all play a role in Salvation History. We are God’s instruments, His disciples through whom many will come to know Him. He has given us so many good gifts, and it is our responsibility, as stewards, to make a free-will decision, much like Mary did, and allow Him to work through us, to use the gifts He has given us to show forth His glory, living lives that bear witness to His goodness.

December 11, 2011 — Third Sunday of Advent

Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28

Today, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday. In the midst of our preparations for Christmas, we are reminded to stop and spend time rejoicing for what God has done for us.

It is interesting, however, to note that the writers of today’s readings are not simply rejoicing in the mystery of the incarnation. In the reading from Isaiah, the prophet rejoices because the Lord has sent Him to proclaim glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and release to prisoners.” Today’s Responsorial Psalm, the Magnificat, echoes these same sentiments. In the Gospel reading, we find John the Baptist rejoicing in the mission God has given Him. He tells those who have gathered around Him that He is not the Messiah. He tells them, “I am the voice of the one crying out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’”

What’s more, in his letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul reminds us as the Christian Church to rejoice always. We are called to rejoice, proclaim and, as stewards, to use the many things God has given us – our time, our talents, and our treasure – to help others recognize the many good things God does for us.

December 4, 2011 — Second Sunday of Advent

Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps. 85:9-10. 11-12, 13-14; 2 Pt. 3:8-14; Mk. 1:1-8

We have entered the second week of Advent, and we spend our time patiently waiting in anticipation of the celebration of Christmas. But, as today’s readings remind us, we are to actively wait by preparing our hearts and minds through prayer and repentance, and by proclaiming the Good News that God became man for our sake so that He could suffer and die and then come again to bring us into heavenly glory

It is a beautiful message we proclaim. God has done so much for us and continues to do so, giving us innumerable gifts with which we can live our lives. And, much like the prophets in today’s readings, we ought to proclaim His mighty deeds boldly before all the nations.

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah proclaims the end of the Babylonian exile, when God will intervene and the Jews will be able to return to Israel and, ultimately Israel will be restored. He knows God will intervene, and, as He waits for that to happen, He is active. He wants all to know of what is to come.

In the Gospel, John the Baptist is the prophet, proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. John, too, knows that God is soon to intervene in human history and send the One whom the Jews have long-awaited, and He wants all to know it.

We are privileged to know the One of whom John spoke, the Messiah whom the Jews long awaited. He has come, and, as His disciples, we are to proclaim Him to the ends of the Earth. So, as we wait to celebrate Christmas, as stewards we are called to preach the Good News – to use our time our talents and our treasure to proclaim Him boldly through the way we live our lives.

November 27, 2011 — First Sunday of Advent

Is 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7; Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19; 1 Cor 1:3-9; Mk 13:33-37

Advent is a season of joyful anticipation. We anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ birth on Christmas day and we prepare our hearts and minds to celebrate the mystery of the incarnation, but, as today’s readings remind us, Advent is also a time for us to focus on the second coming of Christ and to remind us that we should constantly be watchful and alert, “you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming”

In the first reading, from the book of Isaiah, we hear about a people pleading for the Lord to intervene in their lives in a big way. Then, in the epistle, St. Paul praises the Lord who has intervened in history and sent His Son as the fulfillment of the Jews messianic hope. St. Paul tells the Corinthians, “in Him you were enriched in every way … as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The parable in Mark’s gospel reiterates these sentiments. Jesus tells of a man who travels abroad, placing his servants in charge, each with his own work. He tells the gatekeeper, “Watch, therefore. You do not know when the Lord of the house is coming.”

We have all been blessed beyond belief. Leaving us to care for His creation, God has given us a multitude of gifts. In fact, even our very lives are gifts from God, and as we live life today, we await His return in glory. As stewards of these gifts, we are called to be alert. To always be ready, and to constantly prepare for His return, using the gifts He has given us to build His kingdom, serving our families, our parishes, and the greater community in such a way that others see Christ in us and are, therefore, drawn closer to Him.

Nov. 20, 2011 — Solemnity of our Lord Jesus, Christ the King

Ez. 34:11-12,15-17; Ps. 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6; 1 Cor. 15:20-26, 28; Mt. 25:31-46

Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. And while Christ is King of the World, he is also a kind and loving shepherd who cares for His flock.

The first reading today focuses on the Lord’s caring nature. “I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark. I myself will give them rest.” The Responsorial Psalm reiterates those sentiments, praising the Lord for His incredible generosity. He gives us all we need and more, again, like a shepherd who cares for His sheep.

Meanwhile, in all three of the readings, there is an eschatological element. Each one, in varying degrees, speaks to us of the second coming and the final judgment that will take place when the Lord does return in glory.

The Lord is our shepherd. It is, therefore, our responsibility as His disciples to use what He has given us wisely. We all have time, talents and treasure, and we are called to use those gifts to the best of our ability, not by squandering them, but by taking ownership of them and making the Master proud.

On judgment day, the faithful steward of God’s gifts will be with those on the right, and with the words, “Come, you are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world,” we will be ushered into the heavenly kingdom.

Nov. 13, 2011 — Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Prv. 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; Pslm. 128:1-2, 3, 4-5; 1Thes. 5:1-6; Mt. 25:14-30

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells a parable of a master who leaves on a journey, and entrusts three of His servants with his money while he’s gone. When he returns to find that two servants have wisely invested his money, he is very pleased and offers them a greater share in his riches, while the one man who did nothing with what he’d been given is thrown outside “where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” He is punished in an extreme way.

This is clearly another parable about the Parousia (the second coming of the Lord at the end of time). The Lord has entrusted us with much here and now, and when He returns, or when we are brought to Him upon our death, He expects that we will have used what He has given us wisely.

All that we have – our time, our talents, and our treasure – comes by way of gift from Him. And, so, as stewards we are to care for it as such – to recognize it as gift and to use it for His greater glory. What each of us has been given is different, just like the three servants in today’s Gospel, so He does not expect us to “measure up” to our neighbor, per se. Rather, He expects us to use our gifts to the best of our ability in His service – to take care of our responsibilities (ourselves and our families) and then to reach out in service to others (at the parish level and beyond).

Nov. 6, 2011 — Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wis. 6:12-16; 1Thes. 4:13-18; Mt. 25:1-13

In today’s Gospel, Matthew’s recount of the 10 virgins sits amidst numerous parables about the heavenly kingdom.

In fact, all three of the readings today are eschatological in nature. In the first reading, the writer personifies a heavenly wisdom, making note that this wisdom, which is clearly beyond this world, is readily available for those who prudently live their lives seeking it. That which is the only wisdom that satisfies “graciously appears” to those who “keep vigil.”

In the second reading, Paul addresses the Thessalonians about those who have died, assuring them that, through His death and resurrection, Christ has won the victory for us. Therefore, those who die in Christ will be raised.

So, it is clear that the message of today’s readings is one that transcends this world. They communicate to us about the hereafter.  The lesson here is this: if you are not prepared for the heavenly feast, you will be locked out forever!

It is a sobering reminder of God’s love and justice. We don’t know when the Lord’s return will take place or when we will be ushered from this earth, so as stewards of God’s manifold gifts, we must use all of the time we have – every minute that passes – wisely.

October 30, 2011 — Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Mal. 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10; 1Thes. 2: 7b-9, 13; Mt. 23:1-12  

In today’s Gospel, Christ says the religious leaders of the day, the Scribes and the Pharisees, do not practice what they preach. They seem to be using their positions of power for their own glory. Christ uses this example to teach a lesson — “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

In the second reading, St. Paul and his companions are in Thessalonica doing the Lord’s work – proclaiming the Gospel, and, for the ability to do so, Paul says, “We give thanks to God unceasingly.” They are there to serve the Lord, to show the people the truth of the Gospel and to rejoice with them as they convert to Christ. Talk about stewardship in action!

There’s nothing wrong with being appreciated for our talents. But as Christian disciples and stewards of God’s many gifts, we must always remember that all good things come from Him, and we must live our lives in humble service and in gratitude for all He has given us.