September September 14, 2008 Exaltation of the Cross “For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son…” John 3:16 Jesus was the perfect steward – giving up His very life for us. None of us can be perfect stewards. Yet, in love and gratitude for all that God has given to us, we can strive daily to give a little more of our lives into God’s hands. This is the stewardship journey and it is a journey that brings true joy.
September 21, 2008 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time “Going out around five o’clock he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They answered, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You too go into my vineyard.’” Matthew 20:6-7 Today’s Gospel tells us that it is never too late to get involved in the work of the Church. God has a special need for each one of us in His vineyard. The world teaches us to be selfish and greedy, like the workers who grumbled about their wages. Yet, God continually requests that we offer our special gifts to build up His kingdom. Come, There Is Work to Be Done is God’s personal invitation to each one of us. How will you respond?
September 28, 2008 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time “Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.” Matthew 21:28 God does not just invite us to do His work. He clearly commands us, “Go out and work in the vineyard.” How can we work in God’s vineyard when we have job and family responsibilities? We can follow God’s command through prayer, sharing some of our talents in parish ministry and donating some of the income we make at our jobs to support God’s special work in this world.
October
October 5, 2008 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a pople that will produce its fruits." Matthew 21:43 Consider this week exactly what you are doing in your life to produce fruit for the kingdom of God.
October 12, 2008 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time "My god will fully supply whatever you need. . ." Philippians 4:19 The secret to being a good steward is to trust that God will supply us with all that we need. However, we have to let go of the expectation that we should also have all that we want. Good stewards must learn to live differently. We must turn away from materialism want less, share more and learn to be grateful for God's many blessings.
October 19, 2008 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time "Then repay to Daesar what belongs to Caesar and to God waht belongs to God." Matthew 22:21 It is good to remember that everything belongs to God. We would have nothing if God had not given us the skills, talents and opportunities to accomplish what we accomplish. Thererfore, it is important for us to recognize that we have an obligation to return a portion of our gifts to God, for all gifts belong to Him and come from Him.
October 26, 2008 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time "Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him." John 14:23 How do you show your love for God? do you give your time, talent and treasure to keep His word?
November November 2, 2008 Feast of All Souls ". . . I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me." John 6:38 Jesus teaches us the essence of stewardship. We are put here on earth not to do whatever fulfills us but rather to fulfill the plan that god had inmind for us. Each of us has unique blessings and gifts that enable us to fulfill God'swill for us. When we don't share those gifts, some part of God's plan is left undone. Sadly, we are often more inclined to want to "do our own thing," rather than to do God's work. The words of the Our Father, "Thy will be done," should be our constant stewardship prayer.
November 9, 2008 Dedication of the Lateran Basilica "Every month they shall bear fresh fruit for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary." Ezekiel 47:12 Ezekiel's vision of the water flowing from the temple reminds us how important it is for the good steward to spend time with God. When we visit with God we are refreshed. From God's sacred house we receive the nourishment we need so that our stewardship efforts will bear fruit.
November 16, 2008 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time "Well done, my good and faithful servant . . . Come, share your master's joy." Matthew 25:46 The master's words of praise and welcome for the servant who used his talents well are the same words that each of us hopes to hear whne we meet God face to face. "Well done, my good and faithful servant . . . Come share your master's joy." We use our "talents" well when we live simply, make God a priority in our lives and share our gifts with others.
November 23, 2008 Feast of Christ the King "Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me." Matthew 25:46 In today's readings we see that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who will care for us in our time of need. However, our relationship with Jesus should not be all take and no give. We, in turn, are expected to care for one another just as Jesus cares for us.
November 30, 2008 1st Sunday of Advent "It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on watch." Mark 13:34 God has left us as His servants in charge here on earth. Each of us has our own special work that we can do for God. If we do not do it, who will?
December December 7, 2008 2nd Sunday of Advent "John was clothed in camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist." Mark 1:6 St. John the Baptist's Advent message is, "Prepare, Prepare." This is very different from the media's Christmas message of"Buy, Buy, Buy." At this time of the year the good steward is most definitely challenged to embarce the simplicity of St. John the Baptist more than the commercialism of the season.
December 14, 2008 3rd Sunday of Advent "The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me: he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted . . ." Isaiah 61:1 The Lord God has anointed all of us through Baptism and He sent each of us on a mission. Each of us has been given unique gifts and talents so that we can help fulfill God's mission here on earth. Are you doing the things Jesus sent you here to do?
December 21, 2008 4th Sunday of Advent "Do not be afraid, Mary." Luke 1:30 It can be a little scary to do as God asks -- to give Him the first fruits of our time, talent and treasure. But the comforting words the angel spoke to Mary can comfort us, too, when we dedicate ourselves to being good Christian stewards -- "Do not be afraid."
December 28, 2008 Feast of the Holy Family "And be thankful." Colossians 3:15 St. Paul's reminder to be thankful is a great way to end the year. The good steward is always thankful. We recognize that we are God's people and everything we have is a gift from God. When we fill our hearts with gratitude we can stop striving for more and start appreciating and sharing the gifts we have already been given.
with thanks to the Archdiocese of St. Louis Missouri
