Stewardship
Weekly Scripture Reflections
ORDINARY TIME (YEAR A)
August 10, 2008 (Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Elijah recognized the voice of God not in the strong and heavy wind, not in the earthquake, and not in the fire, but in a tiny whispering sound. May we find enough quiet in our clamorous world to hear His voice and discern what He is calling us to do and be.
August 17, 2008 (Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
In today’s second reading, St. Paul tells the Romans, “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.” To what is God calling me today? What gifts are mine to share? See Romans 11:29
August 24, 2008 (Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time)
In today’s reading, St. Paul reminds the Romans — and us — that all things come from God: “For from Him and through Him and for Him all things are.” Good stewards understand that all is gift and share generously the gifts of time, talent, and treasure with which they’ve been blessed. See Romans 11:36
August 31, 2008 (Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time)
In today’s second reading, St. Paul exhorts the Romans to total stewardship. Brothers and sisters, he urges, “. . . offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” See Romans 12:1
September 7, 2008 (Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Am I my brother’s keeper? All three readings today suggest that for the Christian steward the answer is “Yes!”
September 14, 2008 (Exaltation of the Holy Cross)
Even though the Lord led them out of Egypt and provided for their every need, the people in today’s first reading were complaining and ungrateful. Does my stewardship of God’s gifts show that I know from Whom they came and am grateful?
September 21, 2008 (Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
In today’s Gospel, the vineyard owner says, “I am free to do as I please with my money, am I not?”We are likewise free. Is a generous return to the Lord in thanksgiving for His many blessings among the choices we have made? See Matthew 20:15
or
Good stewards follow the advice of St. Paul and conduct themselves — by wise use of their time and talents — in a way worthy of the Gospel of Christ.
September 28, 2008 (Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
The first son in today’s Gospel said he would do his father’s bidding, but did not. The second son balked at first, but then repented and did as he was asked. What service is God calling me to do? Which son am I more like?
October 5, 2008 (Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time)
In the Gospel today, the owner of the vineyard sent messengers to collect his share of the harvest from the tenant farmers, but there was not a single good steward on the property! God is the owner, we are the tenants. What sort of stewards are we?
October 12, 2008 (Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
In today’s second reading, St. Paul thanks the Philippians for being willing to share in his hardships and promises that God, in turn, will fully supply all their needs. Our God truly cannot be outdone in generosity!
October 19, 2008 (Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Each year at tax time, we conscientiously give “to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.” Does my stewardship indicate that I am as faithful about giving “to God what belongs to God”? See Matthew 22:21
-or- (if celebrated as “Mission Sunday”)
The bishops’ pastoral letter on stewardship reminds us, “Jesus not only calls people to him but also forms them and sends them out in his service. Being sent on a mission is a consequence of being a disciple.”
October 26, 2008 (Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
We fulfill the commandment to love our neighbor when we exercise good stewardship — joyfully sharing our gifts of life, abilities, and resources to meet our neighbor’s need.
November 1, 2008 (Feast of All Saints)
Today’s psalm makes clear that we and everything we think we own actually belong to God instead: “The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness, the world and those who dwell in it.” We are stewards, not owners, of our lives and all we possess! See Psalm 24
November 2, 2008 (Feast of All Souls)
On the Feast of All Souls we pray for those who have gone before us and stand in judgment before God. May we share with one another the treasure of love’s memory, and console one another with the assurance of resurrection.
November 9, 2008 (Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Like the sensible bridesmaids in today’s parable, good stewards make sure that they, and whatever gifts are theirs to share, are ready to serve when the Master calls.
November 16, 2008 (Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Good stewards are like the industrious and reliable servants in today’s Gospel, prudently using and multiplying the gifts entrusted to them by God.
-Or-
The “worthy wife” described in today’s first reading is a perfect example of active stewardship, reaching out her hands to the poor and extending her arms to the needy.
November 23, 2008 (Feast of Christ the King)
When the Son of Man comes in glory, may we be among those who have fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger, and clothed the naked. For Jesus tells us clearly that it is those who have demonstrated good stewardship by sharing their gifts with the less fortunate who will receive God’s blessing and inherit the kingdom.