December 9, 2018 — Second Sunday of Advent

BAR 5:1-9; PS 126: 1-6; PHIL 1: 4-6, 8-11; LK 3: 1-6

The readings for the Second Week of Advent offer both encouragement and challenge during this brief but important season of the liturgical year. Recall from last week that the purpose of this season is reflection on and preparation for the two “comings” of Christ — His coming as a baby on the great feast of Christmas, and the anticipation of His second coming at the end of time.

Our First Reading, from Baruch, is a wonderful reminder of that God has already triumphed over sin and death and that we, His faithful disciples, will live in the light of His glory one day. “Up, Jerusalem! Stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God… For God has commanded that every loft mountain be made low…that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God… for God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company.”

Until He comes again, we must remain faithful to Him as true disciples and good stewards of all the gifts He has given us. While it can be tempting to give in to the materialism and calls for self-indulgence that surround us, (ironically more than ever at this time of year), this reading calls us back to the spiritual reality that this life is passing and that we are made for eternal life with God. We are called to prepare for eternal life by the way that we use our time, our talents and our treasure now.

In the Second Reading, the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, Paul gives us a pep talk as we make our stewardship journey, and we modern-day disciples can take heart in his words. He tells us, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Paul reminds us of two important realities that should greatly encourage us. First, that the stewardship way of life is very much a journey. We don’t have to have every aspect of our life perfectly nailed down; we are all “works in progress”’ called simply to take one step at a time closer to Christ. Second, it is God who started this good work in us — on the day of our Baptism — He cares deeply about this journey of ours and He will give us all the grace and strength we need to stay faithful to Him and continue growing in love and imitation of Christ.

The Gospel reading from Luke shows us how personal and detailed is God’s love for humanity as He prepared the way for Christ’s coming among us. We are told the precise time, place and person, John the Baptist, He appointed to announce the arrival of our Savior. Through John, we are told how to celebrate to the fullest this first “coming” on the feast of Christmas and how to prepare for the second coming — through repentance.

This Advent let’s turn away from any bad habits or sin that may have crept in to our lives and turn our hearts and minds back to Christ. This is what the stewardship way of life is all about —moving ever closer in relationship with Christ and imitation of Him, ready to celebrate His birth, with eyes fixed on eternal life with Him.

December 2, 2018 — First Sunday of Advent

JER 33: 14-16; PS 25:4-5,8-9,10,14; 1THES 3:12-4:2; LK 21:25-28, 34-36

We have arrived at the powerful season of Advent, a season to prepare with awe and gratitude for the Feast of the Incarnation of Jesus, born to us as Savior and Brother. A season to prepare for His return at the end of time. It is also a moment to remind ourselves that our individual judgment day is coming, too — the moment when we will be called to give an account for all the love God has shown us and the gifts He has given us during our lifetime.

An important document on stewardship published by the Diocese of Wichita titled The Pillars of Parish Stewardship says,“God reveals His perfect and infinite love for us most visibly in His son, Jesus Christ. A steward makes God’s love visible by imitating Jesus… Stewardship is the response of the disciple to God’s unconditional love for us. Stewards bask in the wonder and awe of God’s love” Or, in other words, Advent is a steward’s season!

Our readings for the first week of Advent waste no time in calling our urgent attention to these themes of reflection and preparation. They seem to shout, “Wake up! Get ready!” and offer us some practical advice to make the most of this Season.

The Gospel, from Luke, warns, “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life.” How easy it is to lose focus on our Lord either by too much indulgence in our lives or by too much worry about our lives. Both extremes are easy to fall prey to. To avoid these traps this we are told to “be vigilant” and “pray for strength to sustain us.” During Advent, we Christian stewards must ask ourselves some hard questions. Am I staying faithful to my prayer life? Am I using my energy and skills to serve others? Am I overly concerned about material gain? Am I relying my “stuff” or my investments as my source of comfort or security? Am I living for the moment or for the coming of the Lord?

Our Second Reading, from Thessalonians, offers us a beautiful Advent prayer as we move through this season of reflection and preparation. Let us make it our prayer for each other: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all… so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.”

Get ready Christian stewards! He’s coming! Let us prepare with awe and wonder.

November 25, 2018 —The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

DN 7: 12-14; PS 93: 1-2, 5; REV 1: 5-8; JN 18: 33B-37

Today, our last Sunday of Ordinary Time for this liturgical year, we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. This feast was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925, at a time when the world was experiencing a rise of secularism, materialism and individualism and an increasing denial of Christ’s existence and authority. The hope was that the establishment of this feast would accomplish three goals — that nations would see that the Church has the right to freedom, that leaders and nations would see that they are required to give respect to Christ, the King of kings, and that the faithful would be strengthened and encouraged by the reminder that Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, wills and bodies.

Our First Reading, from, Daniel, predicts a time when Christ will indeed “receive dominion, glory and kingship” and “all peoples, nations, and languages will serve him in an everlasting dominion that will never be destroyed.” The Second Reading, from Revelation, describes Christ as ruler of the kings of the earth and describes the day when He will come “amid the clouds and every eye will see him.” In the Gospel we hear the words of Christ Himself. As He is questioned by Pilate, Christ declares, “My kingdom does not belong to this world” but that He “came into the world to testify to the truth.”

This feast is needed more than ever for all people and for us especially, as Christian stewards. It reminds us of three vital truths. First, even when it seems the world is spinning out of control, we need not fear because we have a King of kings who is very much in charge and who is loving, merciful and just. Second, if Christ is king of all, then He is also king of me, personally. I am not “lord” of my time, talents, and treasure. He is. I am a servant of the King and a steward of His gifts to me. Third, as His disciple, I am called to imitate my King. Christ’s kingship is characterized by humble service, by emptying Himself for the good of others, The Scriptures tell us He went about doing good and He says of Himself, “I came not to be served but to serve.” How can I live in any other way than as a humble servant like my King?

This week, on the verge of a new Church year and the holy season of Advent, is an ideal time to take stock of our priorities, to see if we really are allowing Christ to reign in all aspects of our daily lives; to ask if He comes first in our schedules, our budgets, the use of our skills and talents. It’s also a great moment to celebrate! We are not only servants of Christ the King, we are also His brothers and sisters. This should fill us with great joy. After celebrating the Holy Eucharist, take some time to celebrate at home, too. Bake a cake, take a walk, put on some music and dance with your kids. Christ is King!

November 18, 2018 —Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

DN 12:1-3; PS 16: 5, 8-11; HEB 10:11-14, 18; MK 13:24-32

We are approaching the start of the holiday season. Thanksgiving is less than a week away and if the advertisers are to be believed, the Christmas shopping season is already in full-swing. Today’s readings stand in stark contrast to all this worldly merry-making, warning us of dark times ahead and our inevitable judgment day. How should a modern-day disciple and steward respond to these seeming contradictions? Keep this question in mind as we take a look at the Word of God presented to us this week.

The First Reading, from Daniel, describes a time “unsurpassed in distress since nations began” and warns that “many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, and others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace.”

The Second Reading, from Hebrews, speaks of Christ who “waits until his enemies are made his footstool.”

Even the Gospel Acclamation is ominous: “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.”

In the Gospel passage, from Mark, Jesus describes a time of tribulation after which “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”

Sobering messages indeed. It’s enough to make you lose your appetite for that second piece of pumpkin pie. But for a committed disciple of Christ, these messages are simply a healthy (and vivid!) reminder of why our first priority is God Himself.

For when we have firmly established for ourselves as individuals, as a family and as a parish that we will give to God the first and best portion of our Time, Talent, and Treasure, the warnings we read in the Scriptures today need not cause us alarm. In fact, we can receive them as an encouragement — to “Keep Calm and Steward On,” no matter what comes our way.

One of the blessings of a stewardship way of life is this: In challenging times, whether in our homes or workplaces, or even our beloved Church itself, we can take great comfort in knowing we have a concrete plan to keep our priorities in right order. And when we put God first in all aspects of our lives, we will experience the peace that He gives that surpasses all understanding.

November 11, 2018 — Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 KGS 17:10-16; PS 146:7-10; HEB 9:24-28; MK 12:38-44

Today’s First Reading from the First Book of Kings, as well as the Gospel passage from Mark, both center on the actions of two poor widows. The Gospel passage is often called the story of the “Widow’s Mite.” But taken together, perhaps a more fitting title of the stories of these two ladies would be, “The Mighty Widows.”

In our First Reading, the prophet Elijah encounters a widow during a terrible famine. She is preparing to make one last meal for herself and her son before their supply of food runs out. Elijah, acting as God’s messenger, tells her not to be afraid and asks her to give him something to eat before preparing a meal for herself and her son. In an extraordinary act of trust — and heroic hospitality — she agrees to Elijah’s request! Again speaking as God’s own messenger, Elijah assures her of God’s special provision for her, telling her that her “jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth.” Sure enough, the widow and her son were able to eat for a year, just as God promised.

In the Gospel, Jesus observes the crowd as they make their offerings to the synagogue treasury. He sees the wealthy people putting in large sums, while a poor widow contributes only two small coins. Seizing on this teachable moment, Jesus calls His disciples to Himself and tells them that according to Hiscalculations, it is the widow who has made the most pleasing offering. Unlike the rich, who gave a portion of their surplus, the widow gave all she had, “her whole livelihood.”

In the eyes of the world, particularly in Biblical times where there was no life insurance or Social Security, these widows were weak and dependent on others to take care of them. They each found themselves in desperate situations — one in the midst of famine with a child to care for, and the other clearly impoverished. Yet each demonstrated strength and generosity that distinguished them from those around them. From where did this strength come?

It came from knowing who they are, andWhosethey are. These women must have known that their security would not come from a good life insurance policy or connections to someone with a hidden storehouse of flour.

No, their security came from knowing they were daughters of the Most High God and from putting their faith in Him. They had no need to panic in the midst of natural disaster or cling desperately to their menial resources. Their faith in God set them free to trust Him when all seemed hopeless. Their faith kept them detached from material possessions. Their faith allowed them to be brave and generous, to think of others despite their own trials.

These women saw themselves as stewards, not owners, of the resources God gave them, regardless of how much or how little they had. And acting as stewards made them gracious, generous and mighty indeed.

November 4, 2018 — Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

DT 6:2-6; PS 18; 2-4, 47,51; HEB 7: 23-28; MK 12: 28B-34

Today’s Gospel reading brings us to the very essence of a stewardship way of life, as Jesus responds to a question posed to Him by one of the scribes: “Which is the first of all the commandments?” His answer is a beautiful and concise description of a Christian steward’s life: “The first [commandment] is this… You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Let’s consider these “greatest commandments” as they relate to three aspects of a Christian steward’s daily life — the use of our time, of our talents and of our material treasure.

The use of time in the context of stewardship refers primarily to our relationship with the Lord — in other words, our prayer life. Since time is a gift to me from God, I show my love for Him and my gratitude for this gift by giving Him the best portion of my time. My best time for prayer may be first thing in the morning before the noise and hectic pace of the day begin. It may be a few quiet moments at my desk during my lunch break. Or it could be in the evening with my spouse after the children have gone to bed. Of course, it is vital to talk to God throughout the day, but if I really want to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, shouldn’t I make time for God “first” on my agenda each day? Not as an afterthought, but as a time I have intentionally chosen to spend only with Him.

The use of talents in the context of stewardship refers to the way I offer the abilities, skills, and interests the Lord has given me for the good of those around me. While our loving Father gives us these things for our own enjoyment, He also intends for us to use them to help others. Doing so is a practical way to “love my neighbor as myself.” At the same time, it is also a way to love the Lord with all that I am and have since He has told us that whatever we do for others we are also doing for Him.

The use of material gifts in the context of stewardship likewise demonstrates both love of God and of neighbor. When I trustingly offer a sacrificial gift to God through the offertory collection, I am showing Him in a very tangible way that He comes before all else in my life. At the same time, my gift is also a gift to my neighbor and a way to show my love for others through needed material assistance for charitable works, religious formation of parish children and adults, and the many other ways that our parish family works together to worship and serve the Lord and our community.

When we live for God and others, we are living a stewardship way of life. And like the wise scribe in today’s Gospel, we are moving closer to the kingdom of God, our ultimate destination.

October 28, 2018 — Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

JER 31:7-9; PS 126:1-6; HEB 5:1-6; MK 10:46-52

“Following Jesus is the work of a lifetime. At every step forward, one is challenged to go further in accepting and loving God’s will. Being a disciple is not just something else to do, alongside many other things suitable for Christians; it is a total way of life and requires continuing conversion” (Stewardship, A Disciple’s Response).What a challenge we have set before us as Disciples of Christ and Christian Stewards.

Today’s readings give us encouragement and strength to “keep on keeping on” in our stewardship way of life, starting with our First Reading, from Jeremiah. “Thus says, the Lord: Shout with joy for Jacob, exult at the head of the nations; proclaim your praise and say: The Lord has delivered his people… I will console them and guide them… For I am a father to Israel.” We know the story of our redemption has a happy ending. In the end, God wins! And that means we, His disciples, “win,” too. It’s easy to become discouraged when we look at the world around us, perhaps even when we look at the difficulties within our own parish and families. But we know that Jesus has already conquered death and that God’s fatherly love will triumph in the end. Clinging to this truth keeps us moving forward in our ministries and marriages, parenting, our work lives and friendships.

The Second Reading, from Hebrews, offers another pep talk, reminding us again as in last week’s reading, that in Jesus we have a high priest who offers sacrifices for our sins (the sacrifice of His own life) and who is eternally faithful to us. As Christian stewards we are called to devote a regular portion of our time to God in prayer. But perhaps we find it intimidating to find the right words when approaching this great High Priest, our perfect and all-holy God.

Today’s Gospel shows us we don’t really need to have our “act together” before we can spend time with God in prayer. In this passage from Mark, we see that Bartimaeus received a powerful answer to prayer at a very low point in his life. There he sat, begging at the side of the road in a rather undignified manner. His posture wasn’t exactly reverent, and his prayer wasn’t eloquent, just a desperate, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” But it was a sincere cry from his heart. And Jesus, though surrounded by a sizable crowd, heard it, and called for Bartimaeus to come to Him. Folks from the crowd called to Bartimaeus, “Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you.” And right there on the spot, Bartimaeus experienced a profound moment of personal encounter with our Lord and the healing of his vision he desired.

How simple it is to encounter Jesus! All we must do is reach out to Him in prayer and we can be assured that He will hear us and call us to Himself. So, let’s all take courage this week knowing that Jesus is calling us right now to spend time with Him just as we are, in all our weakness and brokenness. Tell Him, the great High Priest, what your needs are and then, like Bartimaeus, follow Him, and keep on keeping on in this stewardship way of life. It’s a life with the ultimate happy ending.

October 21, 2018 — Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

IS 53:10-1; PS 33: 3-5, 18-19, 20, 22; HEB 4:14-16; MK 10:35-45 or MK 10: 42-45

Our readings today are wonderfully consoling and wildly challenging. If we take them to heart, they just might change our lives. For they should call us to profound gratitude for all that God has done for us and inspire us to live lives of thanksgiving and obedience in response to His overwhelming love and mercy.

The First Reading, from Isaiah, reminds us just how much our Father in Heaven loves us and wants us to be with Him in Heaven — so much that He was “pleased” to allow His Son to be “crushed in infirmity” for our sake and to give His very life as an offering for our sins. “Through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.” What profound love this is that Jesus took on our sins, laying down His life to save us. How can I remain indifferent to such love?

The Second Reading, from the letter to the Hebrews, gives further insight into this deep love that our Father, through His son, Jesus Christ has shown us. Such love that Jesus took on flesh to experience all the weakness and frailty of life on this earth — all except for sin. Jesus endured all this so that we could feel close to Him, so that we would not hesitate to approach Him and embrace Him as our own Brother. “For we do not have a high priest who us unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” Not only did He come to save us through His suffering, He came to stand with us in our own suffering, offering mercy and help whenever we call upon Him. How can I offer Him my thanks for such love?

In the Gospel Reading, from Mark, Jesus tells us in His own words how we can thank Him and how our lives can reflect greatness in His eyes — we can imitate Him. He tells us “whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Our God has ransomed our lives. In truth, this “ransom” means our lives are not our own but belong to God. We must do what He asks us to do with them. And He has told us clearly what to do — serve others in love as we have been served in love by Him.

This is why service for the Christian Steward is not an add-on to our already busy lives. It is our life.

Over the course of the next week, take these readings to heart. Reflect on the remarkable love God has shown for you. Then look carefully at your daily life. Is it an imitation of the servant-love of your Brother and Savior? What changes do you need to make, perhaps just in attitude, or perhaps to the trajectory of your life as a whole, to live in grateful service to the One who loves you so?

October 14, 2018 — Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

WIS 7:7-11; PS 90:12-17; HEB 4:12-13; MK 10:17-30 or MK 10:17-27

Part of the beauty of stewardship spirituality is its simplicity and practicality. It can be summed up in the brief phrase, “All I have is a gift from God and I must make a grateful return to Him for all He has given me.” In making this return, we consider three areas that cover the primary aspects of daily life — Time, Talent, and Treasure.

So simple that even our youngest parishioners can grasp the concept.

But simple does not necessarily mean easy. And simple does not mean shallow.

Today’s readings invite us to look into the truth of what a stewardship way of life is all about. These readings also reveal how this spirituality and way of life require the commitment of our whole being to God. It is anything but easy or shallow. But it is indeed the way to lasting intimacy with God and the path to eternal salvation. It points us to seek after higher things — the wisdom of God and Heaven itself.

Our First Reading speaks of the value of wisdom. “I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.” We are told that God’s wisdom is more precious than any earthly riches or power and that when we possess this gift of wisdom — of seeing things and life as God sees them — we possess “all good things” and “countless riches.”

Our Second Reading, from the Letter to the Hebrews, shows us a way to obtain such wisdom — it is available to us right in the Scriptures. “Indeed the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.”

The Scriptures are the living Word of God. Every time we approach them in a spirit of prayer, they will speak to us. A passage that we ponder one week can take on entirely new meaning for us in another week. It is God’s living message and it has the power to speak to each of us personally based on our needs at a given moment. It is so simple! God’s wisdom is right there for us. All we need to do is commit some daily Time to seeking it.

The Gospel Reading from Mark is one of the better known passages in the Gospel — the story of the rich young man who went away sad after rejecting Jesus’ wisdom on how to obtain eternal salvation. This passage reminds us that while a stewardship way of life may be simple to understand, it is not easy to live out. In response to the man’s question on what he must do to obtain salvation, Jesus tells him to keep the commandments. The man replies that he has always done this much. But he suspects (rightly) that there is more to being a disciple of Jesus than just following the external rules. Jesus lovingly confirms this, telling him, “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

We are called to be so much more than rule-followers; we are called to be Christ followers. A stewardship way of life asks us to look at three simple, practical areas — Time, Talent, and Treasure. But it asks us to commit to them from the depths of our being. Only then can we truly be free to follow Christ. Only then do we obtain the countless riches of God’s wisdom and a path to eternal life.

October 7, 2018 —Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

GN 2: 18-24; PS 128: 1-6; HEB 2: 9-11; MK 10:2-12 or MK 10: 2-16

Today’s readings give us a wonderful refresher on the Biblical origins of the Sacrament of Marriage, going all the way back to the second chapter of Genesis in our First Reading. Adam’s delighted reaction to Eve, his bride, is ancient praise of this beautiful sacrament. ”This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken.” The passage goes on, “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh.”

In our Gospel Reading, taken from St. Mark, we see the Pharisees questioning Jesus about the meaning and permanency of marriage. Jesus responds by going back to the origins we just recalled, reminding them, “From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

Today, perhaps more than at any other time in Christianity, marriage and family life are under attack. It is vital that we have a proper understanding of the Church’s beautiful and solid teachings in these areas, which as we see in today’s readings, go back to Genesis itself. We call this type of knowledge, “Formation” and it is one of the pillars of a stewardship way of life. A good formation in the faith not only strengthens us in our own walk with the Lord, it allows us to pass on this knowledge to others who are thirsting to know the truth about the human person, and arms us to defend our beliefs when necessary.

These readings also invite us to reflect on the reality that we are to be good stewards of the vocation that the Lord has entrusted to us. If I am married, do I recognize that my spouse and my marriage are a gift from God that must be nourished, developed and tended? This brings to mind the stewardship aspect of “Time.” After time spent with God, my next priority of time should be for my spouse. Do I realize that at the end of my life I will have to give an account to God for how I cared for the gift of my spouse and marriage? Do I make the time to pray regularly for and with my spouse? Do I understand that my marriage and family are meant to reflect the love of the Trinity itself? What a dignified calling this us! The gift of my marriage and family are meant not just for myspouse and my kids. My marriage and family are meant to be a blessing to all those I come into contact with.

This week, look around at all those married couples in the parish, particularly those married for many decades. These couples are a gift to the entire parish and should be commended for their faithfulness to each other and to their sacramental vows. They have much wisdom to offer. Reach out to them. Ask them to share their best piece of advice, whatever your particular vocation. Pick up the Catechism of the Catholic Churchand read what the Church has to say about marriage and family life. Our brothers and sisters need the strength of our formation and witness to be a light to them in a darkened world.

September 30, 2018 —Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

NM 11: 25-29; PS 19: 8, 10, 12-14; JAS 5:1-6; MK 9:38-43,45,47-48

Sometimes stewardship messages are sprinkled subtly within the Sunday readings; other times they hit us like a Mack truck. This week’s readings contain a bit of both.

The “Mack truck” message is contained in the second reading, once again from the letter of St. James. He gives a chilling description of the outcome of a life based on materialism and pleasure-seeking. “Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire.” St. James is not condemning people for having wealth. His harsh words are for those who acquire wealth and luxuries as if these things are the ultimate purpose in life. He makes it vividly clear what will happen to the material possessions and the owners of these possessions at the end of their lives.

When we hold onto possessions too tightly, they come to possess us. The “stuff” can easily become the focus of our energy and attention. Attachment to material things slowly and steadily corrupts.

In the Gospel today, Jesus is anything but subtle about the need to detach from everything that keeps us from loving Him. “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off… If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off… And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.”

The urgency of our need to detach from all that is not God, is clear. The spiritual discipline of tithing can help us with this. Tithing leads us to let go of unhealthy attachment to material things and leads us to attach instead to God, relying on Him as our true source of security. We come to understand that all that we have is a gift from our loving Father and we use it to bless others and glorify HIm. What wonderful freedom there is in living this way! Amazingly, we actually enjoy material gifts, and all other gifts, moreas a result because we realize where they really came from are using them as God intended.

Also, in today’s Gospel Jesus warns, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck.” Whether we are aware of it or not, we are always serving as a witness of our Catholic faith and an example of Catholic living in modern society. We have a serious obligation to examine our lives to see if the example we give in the use our gifts leads others to Christ… or away from Him.

Lastly, in the Gospel, the disciples of Jesus complain that “outsiders” are preaching the Good News and Jesus essentially responds, “Good for them!” Again we must examine our lives. Do we in this parish have an attitude of openness to others? Do we welcome all, even those who are not the “insiders” here, to join us in sharing the Good News of the Gospel?

What powerful challenges we have before us this week. Let’s pray for each other as we set out to embrace them.

September 23, 2018 —Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

WIS 2:12, 17-26; PS543-6 and 8; JAS 3:16-4:3; MK 9:30-37

This week’s readings shed further light on the contrast between the worldly wisdom that Jesus rebuked in Peter last week, and the wisdom of God, modeled perfectly for us by Christ. They teach us that living as Christian stewards requires us to swim against the tide of our me-first culture and stake out a path for our lives that may be quite different from of that of our neighbors, friends or co-workers.

Our first reading comes from the Book of Wisdom, written about 50 years before the coming of Christ. It predicts the reaction some would have to our Savior’s life, saying that many would find His goodness and teachings “obnoxious” — particularly when He calls them out for their own violations of God’s ways. If we, as Christian stewards, are called to follow in the footsteps of our Savior, then we can expect this same type of reaction at times. Like Jesus, we are to respond with patience.

The second reading, once again from the letter of St. James, also details the contrast between human nature versus “wisdom from above.” When we give in to our natural inclinations to jealousy and selfish ambition, we can expect the negative consequences they bring — “disorder and every foul practice.” On a global scale we can expect (and indeed see) wars erupting due to selfishness and untamed greed.

In contrast, when we seek to live as Christ lived and think as He thinks, our minds and hearts will be pure. Our lives will become “peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruit.” What an inspiring way of life. Certainly worth the risk of being labeled “obnoxious” by some from time to time.

So how do we fight our tendency toward egotism and selfishness? How can we live not as the world advises but in the wisdom from above? What can we do to lead a Christ-like life?

Jesus shows us one way in today’s Gospel. “Taking a child, He placed it in their midst, and putting His arms around it, He said to them, ‘Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.’”

In this context Christ is speaking not only of youngsters, but all “little ones,” those who are vulnerable or needy in any way — through poverty, physical or mental illness, advanced age, difficult family situations — the brothers and sisters St. Teresa of Calcutta would call “Jesus in distressing disguise.”

They are all around us if we open our eyes. Like Jesus, we can put our arms around the little ones in our community and channel some of our energy, ambition and talent towards them.

Giving the best of ourselves to these brothers and sisters may be a little messy at times. It may put us in situations that are far outside our comfort zones. Maybe our colleagues and neighbors will not understand our actions. We may even seem obnoxious to some folks. But in reaching out to little ones in Jesus’ name, it is Jesus Himself we are touching. And that is a most privileged way of life.

This week ask the Lord for the wisdom from above to notice the little ones in your neighborhood, community, or this parish and to show you concretely how you can reach out to them. Take at least one step. You will be stepping closer to Jesus Christ Himself.

September 16, 2018 — Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

IS 50:5-9A; PS 116:1-9; JAS 2:14-18; MK 8:27-35

Sometimes, the Sunday readings bring peace and consolation. Other times, they come as a swift kick in the pants. Today’s readings definitely fall in the latter category.

In the Gospel from St. Mark, Jesus begins to instruct the Apostles in what was ahead for Him – and for them if they wished to follow Him. “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.”

Peter’s immediate reaction to Jesus’s words probably resonate with many, if not all of us, when we are faced with the prospect of self-denial. He pulls Jesus aside to try to talk him out of this craziness. In Peter’s worldly way of thinking, Jesus should not have to suffer (and for that matter, neither should Peter!).

But rather than agreeing with him or trying to soften His words, Jesus seems to double down on His message, rebuking Peter with this strong language: “Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” It seems Jesus meant exactly what He said earlier. What’s more, He was inviting Peter, and all of us, to join him in this way of life that is costly and self-sacrificing.

Why? Isn’t Jesus all about love? Of course He is. He islove. And Jesus shows us by His example that real love requires toughness as much as tenderness. Real faith in Him is displayed through actions, not words.

The second reading, from the letter of St. James, helps us to know that our faith and our love are real and not mere words. “If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it: So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

This passage makes it clear that faith and love are not alive in us until they are demonstrated through works. “Works” of any kind will involve some self-denial. Getting up early to serve at the soup kitchen on my day off requires sacrifice. Helping out in the CCD program when I could be catching up on work emails costs me. Praying in front of the abortion clinic may get me jeered at by passers-by. Making a sacrificial gift each week to the offertory means I have to give up some dinners out or the newest tech product.

But when I do these costly works and embrace the self-denial they require, I have the joy of knowing my faith and love are real. I attain the peace of soul that only comes from imitating Jesus’ way of life. By laying down my life for Him, I gain a life that is really worth living.

September 9, 2018 —Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

IS 35:4-7A; PS 146:6-10; JAS 2:1-5; MK 7:31-37

This Sunday’s readings once again illustrate the timeless message of stewardship interwoven throughout the Word of God. Today’s readings offer beautiful illustrations of two of the “Four Pillars of Parish Stewardship” — hospitality and service — and the joy that a life lived for others can bring.

The first reading from Isaiah starts off with a powerful message of hope meant to be shared. “Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared.” What a message of encouragement and consolation the prophet is instructed to give!

By virtue of our Baptism, we modern-day prophets are entrusted with this same message. We, too, are called to share the good news of salvation with others, starting in our own families and circle of friends and extending to all in our parish and community. Sharing this Good News is the true goal of hospitality.

In our second reading, from the letter of St. James, we see that all are equally worthy of our hospitality. “If a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, ‘Sit here, please,’ while you say to the poor one, ‘Stand there,’ or ‘Sit at my feet,’…have you not become judges with evil designs?”

Clearly, we are to welcome and serve everyone who walks through our church’s doors, extending warmth and a dignified greeting to all. The person who wanders in late to Mass, who is not dressed to our personal standards, may be just the person who is most in need of the message of hope we read of in Isaiah this week. Sometimes we can offer that message simply with a smile and offer to come and sit next to us in “our” pew.

The Gospel reading from Mark gives further illustration of hospitality and service, and the connection between the two. In this passage we find Jesus on the go, and “people brought to Him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged Him to lay His hand on him.”

These people had already heard the Good News that Jesus was preaching. In response, they reached out to a man who literally could not hear and brought him close to Jesus so that he could receive the Good News, too. This is true service. This is hospitality at its finest.

Jesus responds immediately to this act of service and hospitality, opening the deaf man’s ears and removing his speech impediment! And what about the people whose service and hospitality had made this encounter possible? Jesus blessed them for it, confirming their faith to such a degree that they were “exceedingly astonished” and could not stop themselves from proclaiming the miracle they had witnessed.

This scripture passage illustrates a wonderful aspect of stewardship living – we simply cannot outdo our God in generosity. The more we give of ourselves to welcome and serve others for His sake, the more He blesses and strengthens our own faith. This week let’s challenge ourselves to step out of our comfort zone to reach out to someone who needs to hear the Good News of Jesus. We may just find ourselves astonished at what miracles He accomplishes!

September 2, 2018 —Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

DT 4:1-2, 6-8; PS 15:2-5; JAS 1:17-18,21B-22,27; MK 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

In today’s Gospel from Mark, Jesus instructs us in the best way we can honor Him, teaching us the meaning of true worship. Jesus reveals that the way we truly worship Him is by giving Him our hearts. The heart is the deepest part of us, the very core of our being. He wants our heart connected to His heart. He wants a strong, real, and intimate relationship with us.

Stewardship is all about giving our hearts over to the Lord, giving Him first priority so that we can have this profound relationship with Him — a relationship that affects every area of our lives.

We also learn in this Gospel passage what our Lord does not want – the pious lip service that the scribes and Pharisees offer. In fact, recalling the words of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus laments, “This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me.” The scribes and Pharisees were observing the religious rituals of their day and time, but they were simply going through the motions. They were not allowing God to change them and so their worship was in vain. Our Lord is not looking for the number of prayers we can rattle off or our great knowledge of Church teaching.

The second reading, from St. James, reinforces Jesus’ teaching on true worship. St. James tells us to “be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.” In other words, talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words. It is not enough to show up at Mass on Sunday as a passive observer. That is vain worship; it is not giving our hearts over to God.

St. James then gives two examples of worship that is pleasing to God. “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” Reaching out to the most vulnerable members of society, maintaining a moral lifestyle in our increasingly immoral world, this is true worship.

But how can we determine if we really are giving our hearts over to the Lord and not just paying Him lip service? We must commit to the Lord day by day and not just for an hour on Sunday, important as our Sunday Mass commitment is. We must examine our lives to see if they reflect a life lived out for Him.

Stewardship gives us a concrete means to examine our lives in three fundamental areas — the use of our time, our talents, and our material gifts. A stewardship way of life invites and challenges us to make specific commitments in each of these areas on a regular basis, giving us a practical means to commit to the Lord. How well we are keeping these commitments can give us a kind of measuring stick to see if we are growing closer to Him, or perhaps need to put a little more effort into a particular area of our lives.

When we all strive to give God true worship — putting Him first with all our hearts — what beauty we will find in our homes, our parish, and our world.