March 17, 2013 –– Fifth Sunday of Lent Is 43:16-21; Ps 126: 1-6; Phil 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11 If there is one consistent message in the readings for this Fifth Sunday of Lent, it is that we must look to the future, not to the past. As Catholic Christians, we are a people of eternity, a […]
Stewardship Bulletin Reflection: March 17, 2013
March 17, 2013 –– Fifth Sunday of Lent Is 43:16-21; Ps 126: 1-6; Phil 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11 If there is one consistent message in the readings for this Fifth Sunday of Lent, it is that we must look to the future, not to the past. As Catholic Christians, we are a people of eternity, a […]
Eric McArdle: Giving As Much As We Receive
When you think of Albert Einstein, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Many of us know him as the father of modern physics, best known for his Mass-Energy Equivalence Formula, E = mc². Certainly, it is his talent for science and his high level of intelligence that stand out. Most of us, […]
Stewardship Reflection on Lectionary Readings: March 10, 2013
March 10, 2013 –– Fourth Sunday of Lent Jos 5: 9a, 10-12; Ps 34: 2-7; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Lk 15: 1-3, 11-32 No matter how we may interpret the three main readings for this Fourth Sunday of Lent, we cannot fail to realize that the theme of all three deals with reconciliation and forgiveness. There […]
Stewardship Bulletin Reflection: March 10, 2013
March 10, 2013 –– Fourth Sunday of Lent Jos 5: 9a, 10-12; Ps 34: 2-7; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Lk 15: 1-3, 11-32 All of the readings for this Fourth Sunday of Lent deal with reconciliation and forgiveness. There is a strong suggestion relating to our Sacrament of Penance (Confession, Reconciliation). An important characteristic of stewardship is […]
Eric McArdle: Gratitude in Plentitude
When something in our life goes wrong, it’s a normal response to turn to prayer. We are distraught, frightened, or upset, and Christians know there is no better way to ease our burden than to turn to Christ in our time of need. However, do we also find ourselves running to Christ in ordinary times? […]
Eric McArdle: Loving the Unlovable
Most of us are familiar with the two greatest commandments, as the Gospel of Matthew tells us: “Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew […]
Ed Laughlin: Stewardship, Lent, and First Fruits
In the first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy from this past Sunday, the first Sunday of Lent, Moses makes reference to the practice of giving of one’s first fruits to God in thanksgiving and reverence. Stewardship embraces that kind of giving. I grew up in farm country in northwestern Illinois. Many farmers would give […]
Stewardship Reflection on Lectionary Readings: March 3, 2013
March 3, 2013 — Third Sunday of Lent Ex 3: 1-8a, 8-13; Ps 103: 1-4, 6-8, 11; 1 Cor 10: 1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9 It would seem appropriate during Lent that Holy Scripture would issue some warnings to us. In effect, that is what occurs throughout the readings for this Third Sunday of Lent. Each reading […]
Stewardship Bulletin Reflection: March 3, 2013
March 3, 2013 — Third Sunday of Lent Ex 3: 1-8a, 8-13; Ps 103: 1-4, 6-8, 11; 1 Cor 10: 1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9 It would seem appropriate during Lent that Holy Scripture would issue some warnings to us. In effect that is what occurs throughout the readings for this Third Sunday of Lent. Each reading […]