-
thirteenth sunday in ordinary time - june 26, 2022
-
Today’s readings take us back to the basics, inviting us to reflect honestly on our deepest priorities in life.
In today’s Gospel, from Luke, Christ refers to the struggle to put Him above all else as He encounters two “would be” disciples on His way to Jerusalem. “‘Follow me,’” Jesus says to the first man. “But he replied, ‘Lord let me go first and bury my father.’ The other said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” These two want to follow Christ but only on their own terms, only after taking care of some other, more pressing matters (at least in their own minds).
To this, Christ says thanks but no thanks! Following Him requires an unqualified “yes” not a “yes but…” We are called to put Christ and His kingdom ahead of our own plans if we truly wish to be his disciples and to find victory in the battle of selfishness.
Living stewardship as a way of life can go a long way in arming us for victory. Stewardship living provides us with a custom-made “training plan” — the commitment to a specific offering of our time, talent, and treasure to the Kingdom of God. It is a plan discerned through prayer and by looking at the realities of our unique circumstances, strengths, and limitations. The daily discipline of committing to the plan strengthens us and helps us gradually move away from the “yes, but” attitude and towards an unqualified “yes!” to Christ and His will.
Do not be afraid to give the best of yourself and your gifts to Christ. He deserves nothing less. And this way of life, while challenging, will be characterized by a joy and peace that only comes from living for Him.
— Stewardship Reflections by Catholic Stewardship Consultants
-
-
the solemnity of the holy most body and blood of christ - june 19, 2022
-
Today we observe the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. This beautiful feast celebrates the gift of the Eucharist, which the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches is the source and summit of our Christian faith. “For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ Himself” (CCC paragraph 1324).
The very word, Eucharist, means “thanksgiving” or “gratitude” and so this feast is especially meaningful to all of us who are striving to live as grateful stewards of all God’s blessings to us. Surely the Eucharist is the greatest of all blessings because it is not only from God, it is God — the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Today’s second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us of the depths of love our Lord has shown us in the gift of the Eucharist, recalling Christ’s words at the very first Eucharistic celebration. “The Lord Jesus… took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you.’” In that moment, and at every celebration of the Mass thereafter, Jesus gives us His very self in an act of complete humility and perfect love. How can we possibly show our gratitude for such a sublime gift?
We can receive the gift of the Eucharist with the greatest possible reverence and love. And, following our Lord’s example, we can give ourselves generously to others in the week ahead.
— Stewardship Reflections by Catholic Stewardship Consultants
-
-
the most holy trinity - june 12th, 2022
-
Today we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Trinity. What we are commemorating is a central reality of our Christian faith, that God is Trinitarian in nature — three distinct persons in one God.
The Church calls this truth a mystery, as indeed it is. Some have said that “mystery” in this context is “not a wall to run up against but an ocean in which to swim.” Contemplating the “ocean depths” of this mystery can make us humans feel so small, and almighty God so far from us. Yet nothing could be further from the truth as today’s readings demonstrate.
In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that God is intimately connected to us. “The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” God wants live in the very depths of our being and in all the intimate details of our lives if we will let Him.
And in the Gospel from St. John, we learn that God holds back nothing of Himself from us. Jesus tells His disciples (this includes us!) that the Holy Spirit “will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything the Father has is mine.” Thus, we find ourselves drawn right into the midst of this Trinitarian love. In fact, if the mystery of Holy Trinity is an ocean which to swim, the “water” that makes up that ocean is love.
What then should be the response of the Christian steward to this sublime mystery? All we can do is worship. And offer our lives back to God in total gratitude for calling us to live in the richness of such unfathomable love.
Stewardship Reflections by Catholic Stewardship Consultants
-
-
Pentecost Sunday - June 5th, 2022
-
Today we reach the finale of the Easter season with the celebration of the great Feast of Pentecost. Reflecting on today’s readings inspires a sense of awe as we consider the mighty power of the Holy Spirit at work giving birth to and sustaining our Church. Just as awesome — the same Spirit is calling to us this day to take up our part in the Church’s saving work.
In the first reading, from Acts, we see the creative genius of the Holy Spirit moving through the newly confirmed Apostles “who began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” The large crowd, gathered from all over the world were “amazed” and “astounded” that each one could understand the Apostles speaking in their own language.
Each one of us, young and old alike, is personally called today by the Holy Spirit into the same mission as that of the first Apostles — to advance the Kingdom of God in our corner of the world. Just as He did on that Pentecost day, the Holy Spirit speaks to us in our “own language” to give us the Good News of the Gospel and urge us to share it. We can think of our own language as the particular gifts, talents, and passions we possess. We experience the presence of the Holy Spirit through them and we are meant put them to the work in grateful service of the Kingdom of God.
When we consider the stewardship way of life we are called to live, we often focus on the challenges it poses. Surrendering ourselves to God is indeed a challenging way to live. But it leads to a life that is exciting, creative, and deeply rewarding. Stewardship allows us to experience life as a great adventure because it is a life guided and directed by the very source of power and creativity — the Holy Spirit!
— Stewardship Reflections by Catholic Stewardship Consultants
-
