In the fourth part of this series on Christian stewardship, I would like to focus on the guiding principle described in the above quotation from the Epistle to James, namely, that God is the owner of all things, and that he entrusts them to our care. In a true steward’s response to this, we are responsible for that which we have been given. As the Catechism explains, "Christian life strives to order this world’s goods to God and to fraternal charity," (#2401). Wherever our goods are involved, our guiding Christian and Catholic principle should be our love for others and the ways in which the goods entrusted to us can be used to demonstrate this love. This does not mean that anyone has a right at any time to anything we have, but it does mean that the goods we own individually are a privilege from God, who gives us care over a portion of what first belongs to all. He does this in order that we may participate in mediating his love to the world.

One of the primary ways in which we help others is through the universal Church, and via our local parish. The material goods we have from God and return to him as his stewards are used both for the material and for the spiritual needs of others. Through Peter’s Pence, our gifts of thanksgiving to God make possible the missionary work of the universal Church and the special intentions of the Holy Father. Through the Annual Catholic Appeal, they support the work of the archdiocese for the needs of the wider community. Through Catholic Relief Services, they support the urgent need of our brothers and sisters around the globe. Through your giving to Holy Rosary in particular, we are able to help the poor in our own area with donations of money, food, and clothing distributed by St. Vincent de Paul. We also provide services to meet the various needs of our parishioners, such as home-visitation, transportation, health ministry, grief/bereavement counseling, funeral support, marriage enrichment, and youth programs.

As I mentioned in my own talk this past Sunday, now it is our turn to say thanks to those previous generations which have sacrificed so much for us, and to prepare the way for those who will come after us. That Greatest Generation of Tom Brokaw is now in its 70’s. They are dying or, if not dying, are becoming more dependent on others. This was highlighted for me when I heard that an elderly gentleman had gone to Fr. Haydock to ask him to witness to his marriage. Fr. asked him, "Do you love her?" "Well, no." "Is she a good Christian?" "Not really." "Is she rich, then?" "Not that I know of." "Then why are you marrying her?" "Because she can drive at night." By pledging to parish support, by giving to charities, by donating your time to volunteer activities, you have the opportunity to say thanks to them in a truly concrete manner.

But as important as are the material needs of others, their spiritual needs, which have eternal implications, are even more important. If the universal destination of goods requires that we keep in mind the material needs of others, how much more is it necessary for us to use our material goods for the eternal, spiritual benefits of our spiritual family? In this regard, Holy Rosary supports the intellectual and spiritual education of its children through its financial subsidy of the school. The parish also has programs for R.C.I.A and R.C.I.C., faith formation, adult education, inactive Catholics, and faith formation. Our youth ministry program is especially designed to bring our young people into a living, dynamic, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In giving to this parish, therefore, we participate in its evangelistic ministry and pastoral responsibilities.

The most important work your sacrificial giving performs, however, is in being a tributary of the Holy Spirit’s river of grace through the sacraments, which helps slake the spiritual thirst of those who come to drink of its waters. "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture says, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from within him,’ "(Jn. 7:38). For us as Catholics, our sacrificial giving provides for us a church in which we have access to the benefits of the sacraments. Why is this of particular importance? Because in every sacrament Jesus has taken an oath (which is the original meaning of the Latin word sacramentum) to be with us in his saving, forgiving, and loving power. In Baptism we are adopted as children of God. In Confirmation we are received as adults, whose job is to witness to Christian family love. In the Eucharist we participate in our family dinner. In Reconciliation we repair the divisions in our holy family. In Marriage we give witness to the world of God’s own trinitarian love. In Holy Orders we ordain spiritual fathers. Finally, in the anointing of the Sick we receive the healing power of God’s love.

The center of the sacraments, and of the Church, is the celebration of the Mass, at which we encounter Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Second Person of the Trinity, in His Real Presence in the Eucharist. That is, at the consecration of the Eucharist, according to Catholic teaching, Jesus Christ becomes present, not in a figurative or symbolic manner, but "really, truly and substantially present" in His "Body and Blood, soul, and divinity." That alone is a privilege beyond compare. How much would we pay to attend a dinner or fundraiser for our favorite political, religious, or show-biz figure, just for the privilege of being in his presence? If we really considered who it is that is present with us at the liturgy, how much more generous of heart would we be in responding to this privilege, not by "paying" for it, but by giving true thanks to God Himself for deigning to be with and among us in this most extraordinary way at every Mass?

All of these are profound encounters with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for which, in gratitude and love, we let flow from our hearts rivers of living water. "You are being enriched in every way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God. . . . Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (1 Cor. 9:11, 14). Therefore, consider what profound and lavish gifts our Father has given you, and the indescribable opportunity he offers in assisting him in his salvific work. Consider for a time the welcome of the Father who, when you appear before him, greets you with "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share you master’s joy" (Mt. 25: 23).

Timothy McDonald, Pastoral Assistant for Administration