Pastor's Page: "It Is in Dying That We Are Born to Eternal Life"
November 7, 2010
Every human being has two vocations.
The first is a transcendent one: to become one with God. Even atheistic philosophers and nonbelievers recognize that human beings want to leave their human limitations behind and essentially become God. The dreams of our childhood may have us flying, leaping over tall buildings and having the power of a locomotive to move mountains.
The second vocation is transitional. This is the primary calling to give ourselves to a partner in marriage "until death do we part", or in the case of religious life to empty ourselves in full-time ministry to the church, God's holy people. This is the way of holiness. All human beings, whether married or single need to surrender themselves passionately to a cause or a person. Giving ourselves away brings a sense of fulfillment and inner peace.
Living life authentically occurs when we give ourselves away again and again. The holy men and women of history, Saints, gave themselves in the service of God. They placed God first in their lives. We are called to become Saints.
"Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains but a single grain. But if it dies it produces much fruit." (The gospel of John)
The great St. Francis of Assisi told us that it is in giving that we receive. All of us pattern our lives on that of Jesus Christ who did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life out of love for us on the cross.
This means that everything we have and all that we are is a gift from the God of love. We can only respond by giving back in proportion to the blessings we have received. This includes everything. And so the spirituality of stewardship incorporates all the time and energy we expend, and the financial resources we have received as a result of using our skills for God's glory and honor.
God comes first in our lives. As a result we think of ministry first and writing the first check in our checkbook to support the work of the gospel both locally and globally. We do not give God our leftovers.
The biblical ideal of 10%, the first fruits of our energy and labor, is an ancient tradition preceding the coming of Jesus Christ by 1000 years. "Each year you shall tithe all your produce." (Dt.14. 22) As a devout Jew, Jesus spoke of the tithe and almsgiving in his public ministry. The tithe had to lead to greater love for others. He challenged his listeners to be generous as God is generous.
When you make your pledge to our parish and to other charities during this renewal of the stewardship of treasure, ask yourself the question: "Does this pledge truly express my loving response to God who has made me his own, a Christian steward for this brief span of life?"
Peace,
Father Bruce
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