Msgr. Thomas McGread never failed to have his bible at hand when he was presenting his many stewardship presentations. Those present would be reminded, in his Irish brogue, that the Bible is the textbook of stewardship. The “Spirituality of Stewardship” DVD formation series, recently produced by the Diocese of Wichita, further suggests that “textbooks” are typically taken to school. The Mass, the Holy Eucharist, then serves as well as the school of stewardship.
In the Mass, “the source and summit of the Christian life,” we are called to dwell upon God’s love, his gift of life, and the manner in which we, as individuals, are living that life in gratitude. How are we using and sharing that “gift of love/life” in love and service to God’s mission on this earth?
At Mass, in the preparatory rites, we are all invited to participate in the “Penitential Rite” as we recite the following:
“I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault. in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.”
In the examination and confession of our sinfulness, how well, if at all, do we dwell upon “what I have failed to do” rather than only on “what I have done?” As we recall our individual Baptismal call to discipleship and the further call to action in the Sacrament of Confirmation, how might we be failing in gratitude of God’s grace and giftedness? Failure in doing so reflects a sin of omission, a decision not to love God. The question is one of “how well am I sharing my giftedness, my time, talent and treasure, in committed action, in love of God and in service to my parish, my diocese and the wider universal Church?
