On this 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, our parish community observes its stewardship weekend. Stewardship is “the grateful response of a Christian disciple who recognizes and receives God’s gifts and shares these gifts in love of God and neighbor.” Through the giving of our time, talent, and treasure, we give from what we have received with a spirit of gratitude that helps us to grow in love.
The wise virgins in our Gospel brought flasks of oil, while the foolish virgins brought only their lamps. This oil represents the grace, talents, faith, and blessings that God alone has poured forth into our lives. To be lacking such oil is to attempt to live our life of faith without care for God and neighbor.
These wise virgins did not manufacture their own oil, and so too, everything that we have received is a gift that comes to us from God. Our time, our abilities, our faith, and our material resources are all gifts that we are unable to manufacture for ourselves. Such a realization leads us to understand that what we have is neither infinite nor self-generated, for it is simply a gift that has been entrusted to our care.
Through our stewardship, our gratitude cannot remain passive. Because we are deeply thankful for the gifts that God has given us, we don’t hoard them, but instead allow them to burn brightly in service to Him. When we give of our time, talent, and treasure, we are like those wise virgins who kept their lamps trimmed, burning, and ready.
To the foolish virgins, the wise replied, “No, for there may not be enough for us and you.” Such a response is the realization that we cannot give away our personal relationship with God, nor can we borrow someone else’s charity to make it our own. We must burn our own oil—which is to say that we must be grateful and be found at work with all that God has entrusted to our care.
This week, all registered households will receive a stewardship commitment form in the mail. I ask that you prayerfully fill this form out and return it with you next weekend to Mass to place in the offertory. It is my hope that all will participate in making such a commitment, for we are all called to be good stewards of what has been entrusted to our care.
God is calling you to give of your time and talent. I see that commitment every day in the many parishioners who are involved in our parish ministries. To them I say thank you. Through the commitment of treasure, you assist this parish community in continuing to operate, ensuring that our bills, employees, and ministries may flourish. To those who support us financially I say thank you. Most importantly of all, I ask that you commit to praying for the good of our parish community for this is the most important gift that you can give.
Let us be like those wise virgins who kept their lamps filled and burning brightly. By embracing a life of grateful stewardship, may the Lord find us ready, joyful, and actively sharing His gifts when He comes to welcome us into the heavenly feast.
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