The Beauty of Stewardship
Short reflections suitable for use in parish bulletins and newsletters, at gatherings or retreats, or as individual exercises.
Weekly Reflections for May 2012
May 6th – 5th Sunday of Easter
For us to be fruitful disciples, it is essential that we live a stewardship lifestyle. Because we are joined to Christ in the Eucharist, we are called to use and share our gifts in a manner that truly demonstrates that we are indeed in relationship with Christ. Consider how your day to day actions and conversations glorify God and thereby demonstrate that you are indeed a fruitful disciple.
May 13th – 6th Sunday of Easter
Christ calls us to love one another as he loves us. Being a good steward is a part of loving one another. Christ loved us so much that he sacrificed everything for us. Likewise, stewardship involves some form of sacrifice on our part. Authentic generosity has two prerequisites: first, the gift must be given joyfully out of love; second, there must be some sacrifice involved. A gift is a sacrifice when it is freely given and not just something that we have ‘leftover’. Stewardship means giving what is ‘right’, not what is ‘left’.
May 20th – The Ascension of the Lord
Before his ascension, Christ gave the Apostles their mission: “Go into the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation”. All of us are called to the same mission. Sharing the gift of faith is central to the Christian life – it is a type of good stewardship called ‘evangelization’. “Faith is strengthened when it is given to others”, Pope John Paul II. We have been given new life in Christ. Is that not something you want to share with others?
May 27th – Pentecost Sunday
All of our gifts are given to us by God, but it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that these gifts are activated. The Apostles were given the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. They immediately began to preach “Christ resurrected” with new confidence, thousands heard the message of salvation and were baptized on that day. The gift of the Holy Spirit that we are given in baptism is strengthened through confirmation and thus empowers us to use and share our gifts in the saving work of the Church. One measure of our stewardship is in how many people come to know Christ through us.
Courtesy of the Stewardship Office, The Archdiocese of Winnipeg