Dear Friends,
As I begin, I just want to remind everyone that today we begin the first part of our implementation of the new Roman Missal, specifically in the sung parts of the Mass, the Gloria, the Holy, Holy, Holy, the Eucharistic Acclamation, and the Lamb of God. The musical settings we will be using beginning today all use the new translations. There are cards in the pews. I ask you to use them to sing along. The only way we will get to be familiar with the new translations will be by joining in their proclamation in song. Thank you for your cooperation.
Today’s 2nd Reading, from Paul’s 1st Letter to the Thessalonians, has a great message for us. A little background. Scholars believe this is the very first written part of the New Testament. Before the Gospels were written, Paul was writing letters to the communities that he founded, first among them, this letter to the community at Thessalonica. Paul had great success in his preaching there, not with the Jewish population but with the gentiles, the pagans. So great was his success that the Jewish community forced him out of the city after only two or three months, out of jealousy for that success. Certainly within a year, he writes to the community (early in the year 51 A. D.), praising and encouraging them.
What’s remarkable about all of this is his observation that in so short a time they have become models for all believers. “For from you, the word of the Lord has sounded forth not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has gone forth.” This extraordinary community understood themselves to be witnesses to the Lord Jesus, disciples who accepted the full implications of their conversion and its resultant commitment to Him in faith.
As you may have noticed, we begin this weekend our annual Stewardship Renewal. For the past many years, the focus of our renewal effort has been the Ministry Fair, with the big tent, and the tables and the “refreshments”. This year, we’re taking the simple track, a weekly reflection, through bulletin and homily, on the three major components of Stewardship, Time, Talent and Treasure.
The Bishop’s Pastoral Letter on Stewardship tells it all: Stewardship, a Disciple’s Response, reminds us that the disciple is called not only to live a moral life and a faith-life, but a life of witness to Jesus Christ, as the Thessalonians did. Stewardship is not a program, it is a way of life, of living that response, strengthened and deepened by using the gifts that God has given us, gifts of Time, Talent and Treasure. These gifts are the tools we use to be more committed, more deeply involved witness and a more active builder of the Kingdom of God. This is what Paul applauds the Thessalonians for – that in every place their faith has gone forth for all to see. This is what Stewardship challenges each of us to look at – in modern terms, a reality check, to see if, in fact, that’s what our life as a disciple is like.
Today, the reality check is on our Stewardship of Time. Specifically, what’s your prayer life like? How much time do you give to the Lord in prayer, in Scripture reading, in meditation or reflection, in adoration (as in Perpetual Adoration Chapel, or anywhere)? This past week, from last Sunday to yesterday, add up the minutes you gave to God. Now go to your cell phone bill. How do your God-minutes compare to your cell phone minutes? How do your God-minutes compare to your computer minutes? How do your God-minutes compare to your Survivor minutes or your Amazing Race minute, or your Dancing with the Stars minutes, or your X Factor minutes? If we don’t give God enough time in our lives, we’ll never have the strength to be anything more than a token witness in the world, especially in our world today.
How can you give God more time in the week ahead, month ahead, year ahead? Think about that, and pray about that (there’s a head start for you) and then make a commitment to yourself, and, more importantly, to God.
God Bless,
Fr. Ron
P.S. Next weekend is the last before All Soul’s Day. If you want your loved ones who have passed to be remembered in the nine days of Masses we offer here, please remember to bring your envelope by next weekend. If you don’t get a regular packet, envelopes are available on all the tables at the doors of the church.
