How do we account for the blessings of God? How do we use the gifts received? How do we take care of these gifts, managing them with tender love and care? How do we show gratefulness, to the Giver of all gifts?
Lots of us were formed on the virtues of the American Revolution: industry, self-reliance, personal accountability, freedom. And these are all virtues that have stood the test of time. But we understand these virtues through the lens of God's revealed plan for us. The earth we occupy, the breath of life we possess, the capacity to reason and learn that we enjoy, the ability to be co-creators with God, in the work of building up the world... all of these are gifts from beyond ourselves, gifts that are beyond the parents that gave us human birth.
The Lord God is Creator and, as the Giver of all that is good, invites humanity to accept the gifts given and use them wisely, according to what has been revealed to us. So, our industry, our self-reliance, our personal accountability and our freedom must be seen from within the path of discipleship... from within the life of a disciple or follower of the Lord Jesus. Jesus was industrious, but always began his efforts in prayer. He was a self-reliant worker, caring for his mother after the death of Joseph; but he knew that everything was given from above... his health, his strength, his creativity, his eye for the right line on a piece of furniture. Jesus was the most accountable person the world has ever seen, but he knew that he was not alone when he needed to stand alone. He was truly free, and chose to use his freedom as a loving son, always obedient to his Abba.
This is the sense of stewardship, accepting the gifts of God as Jesus did... humbly, lovingly, with gratitude. One aspect of stewardship... the managing of the gifts given to us wisely... is the way we offer a portion of the gifts for the life of the Church... the life of this parish. Following the revealed Word of God, we are invited to share a portion of our time and our talents and our treasure, for the work of God seen in and through the Church. In the coming weeks, I will invite you to think about the gifts you have to offer, a bit of your time, a share of your talents, a portion of your treasure. Please God, we will be open to the Lord's invitation, to remain connected to Him, as living branches to the Vine. Please God, that the life we live and share becomes a fruitful expression of the Lord's own presence within the hearts of the faithful.
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This notion of stewardship... the care of the gifts of God... also pertains to our health. Two of our parishioners will share their expertise with us, about how we might better care for our own health... knowing that health is a gift, not to be squandered. I know I need to hear this message anew. I hope all of us will see this call to healthy living as a part of the disciple's life... caring for the gifts of God, according to the plan of God.
Msgr. David Talley
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