The Gospel Reading for today is what is popularly called the Sermon on the Mount. Many think it is the absolute epitome of Jesus’ teachings. To be sure it tells us how we are to live our lives, the attitudes we are to have. We must remember that those who were waiting and hoping for the Messiah expected a military leader, one who would lead them in battle against their oppressors.
 
In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus gives a more accurate perspective of Who He is. He begins what we call the Beatitudes (the word means “blessings”) with “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” In a sense we are all “poor in spirit.” Without the guidance and strength provided us by the Lord there is no way we can escape this poverty of spirit, of spirituality, if you will.
 
That is why we often say that living God-centered lives is at the very core of stewardship. Being a disciple of Christ translates into being a steward of our many gifts and blessings. Some scholars believe that Jesus may have given this sermon often during His ministry. Those who followed Jesus and became the earliest Christians, the first members of the Church, were fond of quoting and referring to what the Lord said on this occasion. As stated, Jesus provides us with the secret of living a good life. If we rely on Him and follow Him, we will be blessed.

Today’s readings remind us that stewardship is not just a thing we do — rather, stewardship is at the core of who we are as disciples of Christ.
 
Our first reading, from Isaiah, contains this prophecy of Christ and what His saving message would mean to all who embrace it. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.” We are among those blessed people on whom the light of Christ has shone. By virtue of our Baptism, we, who were once in the darkness of original sin, have been reborn into the great light that is God’s grace in us. We are cherished members of God’s family. 
 
What a privilege! Yet, with this privilege comes the responsibility to actually live for God and to bring His Good News to all those we meet — at work, at school, in our community and right in our own home — in other words, to live as His good stewards.
 
And there is a certain urgency that comes with the call to a stewardship way of life as we see in our Gospel passage from Matthew. Jesus says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” In other words, turn away from selfishness, turn towards God and live as His disciple now — don’t wait!
 
In this same passage, the very first disciples give us examples of a good steward’s prompt “yes” when the Lord called to them. Our Lord invites them to “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” They did not hesitate but “at once they left their nets and followed him.” They put our Lord and His will first. 
 
This is the essence of a stewardship way of life — to be always ready for the ways that our Lord is calling us to bring His light to others. It’s more than something we do — it’s who we are.

Today’s readings provide clear and inspiring reminders of the most fundamental aspect of our identity — that of servants of our most high and holy God, His modern-day disciples, and stewards.

John the Baptist recognized the holiness of Jesus and the response due to  Him when he encountered Christ in person on the day they met at the Jordan River. His response, which we read in our Gospel passage from St. John was,  “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world… He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” 

What a powerful description of our Lord and the place He should rightfully have in each of our lives. He is truly our Savior, the only one who can free us from our sinfulness. We are utterly and completely dependent on His power, love, and mercy. Therefore, He truly does “rank ahead” of us; he deserves to be first, above all other priorities and plans in our lives. Let us examine our daily lives and encourage our children to do the same. 

Does the way I spend my time reflect that God comes first? Do prayer and weekly Mass, regular confession, and time with my family “rank ahead” of everything else on my calendar? Do I use my talents, skills, and energy to serve my family, parish and community in thanksgiving and recognition that God’s kingdom ranks ahead of any other goals or ambitions?  Do I spend my money and use my material possessions to glorify God? 

Challenge questions, to be sure. But questions worthy of our high calling as Christian stewards offered a glorious mission in service of our Lord and His kingdom. What will our response be?

As our celebration of Christmas continues, today we observe the great feast of The Epiphany of the Lord. The word “epiphany” comes from Greek and means manifestation or appearance. The stewardship way of life is one in which we live in grateful response to God’s countless manifestations in our lives. 

Our Gospel passage, from Matthew, has much to teach us about stewardship, through the actions of the magi.

As good stewards, the magi were watching for manifestations of God’s presence in their lives. “We have seen the star at its rising,” they say. Good stewards are keenly aware of the “star” of God’s presence and His gifts in their lives. It is this awareness that fills them with gratitude and the desire to both worship God and share His gifts with others.

The magi, upon seeing the manifestation of God’s presence in their lives, “were overjoyed.” Good stewards, who live with the awareness of God’s presence and gifts to them, simply can’t help but be filled with joy. Not necessarily the fleeting and superficial kind of joy the world promises through wealth or power, but rather the deep, unalterable joy only God can give.

Finally, the magi were so filled with awe upon encountering the newborn Jesus, they prostrated themselves before him and “opened their treasures and offered him gifts.”  This is precisely why good stewards generously share their material gifts — as a loving act of worship to an extravagantly loving God.

Let us rejoice in God’s manifestations in our lives and be watchful for the new ways He is calling us to share ourselves and our gifts in gratitude to our King in the year ahead.

The blessing included in the First Reading from the Book of Numbers is one with which most of us are familiar. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord let His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you…” In the Jewish culture this has been known for centuries as the Aaronic blessing as it was dictated by God Himself to Aaron. It is important to note that it begins with “The Lord bless you.”

All blessings come from God. One error we make is to conclude that blessings always mean happiness or security or prosperity. God knows what blessings we need, even if we do not. They key for us is to be grateful for whatever blessings we may have. That mind set is at the hub of stewardship — knowing all blessings come from the Lord, and our need to be appreciative of them.

To be “kept” by the Lord is to turn our lives over to Him, to know that He is with us and that He loves us, blesses us, and does indeed “keep” us ever in His care. The truth is that to be blessed by God is one of the greatest gifts we can receive. It is available to all of us without exception.

During this continued Christmas season, it is well to remember and repeat the classic statement by the character Tiny Tim in Charles Dickens’ immortal A Christmas Carol: “God bless us, every one,” for certainly He does.