Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

We live in a world and in a time when endings are scary.  Will there ever be a time when there will be no homelessness, no poverty, no pollution, no threat with the horrors of terrorism?  Throughout the history of God’s people, whenever times got hectic and people got frightened about the future the prophets would talk in vivid and wild images about the end times.  We hear this apocalyptic language in today’s scripture readings.

But these scare tactics were not what the prophets of the Bible had in mind when they talked about the end times.  In times of tyranny, when faith was threatened, prophets used apocalyptic imagery not to scare people into religion, but to offer them hope in the midst of trial.  That’s why Daniel says, “The wise shall shine brightly.”  The prophet says that despite the present troubles of Israel, God will win out and God’s people will be victorious. 

We are at the end of the church year, concluding next Sunday with the feast of Christ the King.  As we reflect on Stewardship of Treasure during this month of November, we might take a few moments to reflect on our blessings during the year.  How have I responded to God’s blessings and generosity in my life?  How have I responded to the needs of those around me? In the answer to how we are ending this year of grace, we might find direction for a new beginning.

Let me now introduce you to Jani Kelly, a Josephinum resident and parishioner.  You might recognize Jani as a volunteer receptionist in our parish.  [Jani Kelly]

The psalmist in psalm 116 asks the question: “How can I repay the Lord for all the great good done for me?”  The truth?  We can’t.  We can never repay Jesus for all he suffered or his gift of everlasting life.

But stewardship gives me and all of us a chance to say, “Thank you Lord,” in a very tangible way and to help build up that Kingdom of God we sign so enthusiastically about.  I really believe stewardship is not so much about money as the spirit with which we give.  Remember, “God loves a cheerful giver.”  To me it’s really all about gratitude.  Sometimes in my past I have not shown gratitude for God’s gifts or even recognized that they were gifts from him.  It wasn’t intentional, just clueless.  As my faith matured this changed of course.

But one night working at the desk I experienced a wonderful lesson in gratitude.  [story].  It was a good lesson for me as I had and have much to be thankful for.  Of treasure, I have very little.  Of blessings, I have an abundance.  [COH.  Job at CHS.  Awesome management team.  Apartment – retirement].

We all love this parish, we all want to contribute to its upkeep and outreach ministries, and most of us do.  The thing is when I think about it honestly I could probably give more but then the condition I call the “what ifs,” set in.  What if I have an emergency?  What if my rent goes up?  What if...?  Those of us who are financially challenged do this a lot but we all do it occasionally.

But not to worry.  Jesus has a cure for the "what ifs.”  When his disciples were suffering from this malady, Jesus pointed to the beautiful wild flowers they were walking through and said, “Take a lesson from the lilies of the field.  They neither work or spin, yet Solomon in all his glory was never clothed like one of them.  If God so cares for the grass which is here today and tomorrow thrown into the oven, how much more will he care for you, oh you of little faith!  Your heavenly Father knows you need these things before you ask.  Put the kingdom of God first and all these things will be given to you.”

Now we can say “well, things like that happened when Jesus was here and his apostles lived but they don’t happen anymore.  Not true.  I have a story.  [story].  So I learned from this experience and many others to trust and to put God and his work first in my life.  I learned when I really needed something it was there when I needed it.  Not my wants, but my real needs.

Jesus in Luke’s gospel tells us that open hearted giving will bring an unexpected return.  “Give and gifts will be given to you: a good measure, packed together, shaken down and overflowing will be poured into your lap.”  Speaking of gifts being dropped into your lap, I have a short Christmas story to share.  [story].

So stewardship has taught me to give from an open heart with open hands; and that a life based on thankfulness and generosity is a life filled with everyday miracles (not the parting of the Red Sea) but miracles none-the-less.  They are gifts from a generous God who loves us.  But we have to open our eyes to see them and open our hearts and hands to receive them.  And so it all boils down to gratitude.  [closing story].

Lord Jesus, you are the Tree of Life under whose limbs I take refuge.  In your shade I find peace; in the radiance of your life I have found my way.  Thank you.

The Lord who feeds us at the Table of his Word and at the Table of Eucharist sends us back out to our world  We can help those in our society who are the most neglected, the homeless, the depressed, the lonely, the unborn, the ones most despised and misunderstood.  Like Jani Kelly and so many others, we are stewardship parishioners at Christ Our Hope Church in downtown Seattle!

Paul A. Magnano

Pastor