Two went to the temple area in order to pray. The Pharisee looked upon himself with great pride while the tax collector cried out in humility, “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” It was the Pharisee who looked upon all the good that he had done and thought that something was owed to him while the tax collector simply beat his breast and prayed.
As Christian disciples we are called upon to give of ourself in a spirit of charity. The Pharisee could remark concerning all the good that he had done, but to what benefit? We know nothing of this tax collector except for the fact that he humbly came to God to accept His mercy into his life. The tax collector serves as an example of taking what we have been given and not allowing it to consume us like it did the Pharisee.
Next weekend will be our parish stewardship weekend. So often the term “stewardship” has a negative connotation in people’s minds. This is so because for some stewardship is only the giving of money and nothing more. Stewardship transcends the giving of money because stewardship is a way of life. Stewardship is to take the many gifts that have been entrusted to us and to do something with them as a Christian disciple.
Stewardship is the giving of one’s time, talent, and treasure for the benefit of the church and propagation of the Gospel message. Stewardship is not a list of things that we do in order to earn something because stewardship is our free gift that is given out of love. The Pharisee looked at all that he had done and expected certain treatment due to it, but this was not the case with the tax collector. He simply realized that he was a sinner who was in need of the mercy of God.
This week all registered members of our parish will receive a stewardship letter and form from the parish. I ask your family to pray upon your commitment to stewardship for this parish. This form will ask how you can financially give to the parish in the upcoming year, but also challenges you to become an active member of this parish who gives of their time and talent back to the parish. Please return it with you next Sunday and leave it in the collection which will be specially taken up concerning this commitment.
Our parish is blessed with so many who selflessly give back to this parish. All those who partake in liturgical ministry have taken up the challenge to live a life of stewardship. Those who participate in various parish committees take up a life of stewardship through their desire to assit in the life of this parish. People who selflessly prepare food for parish functions, people who work to keep our facilities in the best shape possible, and the list of people’s stewardship contributions go on and on.
Let us not sit back and remain uncommitted to a life of stewardship. Instead let us freely give of ourself from our time, talent, and treasure. We do this not to be exalted, but because we are true humble servants of the Lord who have taken up their call to be His disciple.
No comments:
New comments are not allowed.