March 15, 2015 – Fourth Sunday of Lent
2 Chr 36: 14-16, 19-23; Ps 137: 1-6; Eph 2: 4-10; Jn 3: 14-21
It has been said many times over and in a variety of ways that stewardship is based upon gratitude. Gratitude for what, we might ask? For the variety of blessings each of us receives, understanding full well that each of us is gifted in different ways and perhaps even in different measures. However, there is one gift in which we all share equally.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” (John 3:16) It is difficult for us to even conceive of the magnitude of that multifaceted gift, from God’s unconditional love for us to the extraordinary gift of his son Jesus to the fabulous gift of everlasting life.
Stewardship calls us to appreciate all of God’s gifts, but if we only focus on the gifts listed above, our gratitude should know no bounds. Pope Francis has said, “God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. We all have the ability to understand and receive God’s gifts.” We need to recognize God’s gifts and especially during our preparations for Easter, find ways to show and live out our gratitude.
