Father Thomas Welbers' Homily	Jump back to Homily Index
Stewardship Commitment Sunday Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, November 16, 2003 Daniel 12:1-3 Hebrew 10:11-14, 18 Mark 13:24-32	Listen to Audio

In the midst of “signs of the times,” many of them terrifying as we look at the world and even the local scene around us, we have the assurance of the continued presence of Jesus as our Savior and, yes, even as our Lover and our Friend.

Yet, if you were to think of encountering Jesus face to face at this moment, would there be joy or fear in your heart? Would there be joy because this is what you have been hoping for, longing for, living for? Or would there be fear because you are aware that you have not always lived in joyful hope, that there’s business you consider unfinished, that you have many times preferred other things to him and his way, that you have sometimes ignored him and even fled from him, instead of letting him into your life?

So at this moment, it is important that we – you and I – stand before Jesus and renew our commitment to him. This is the heart of what stewardship means – that we give ourselves to him as completely as he has given himself to us.

This past week, we sent a mailing to everyone who is registered in the parish. It looked like this. I hope you received it, and I hope that its contents were as meaningful to you as they were to the wonderful committee of dedicated parishioners who put it together. If you did not receive one, I would ask that you check with the parish office, and you can receive the complete information there, and register in the parish if you are not already.

In the packet is an 8-page booklet filled with information about all the ministries and organizations of the parish that provide a variety of opportunities for everyone to live their commitment to Christ more faithfully as Catholics and to engage in the mission of the Church through various kinds of service.

There is also a three-fold pamphlet with a wonderful reflection on what it means to be called and gifted by God, which is the heart of being a faithful steward of God’s gifts – our time, our talent, and our treasure.

In a letter in the packet I also share with you my own commitment of stewardship – stewardship of time, particularly the time I spend with God in prayer which is essential if my ministry with and for you is to be worth anything; stewardship of talent, which requires me to continually take a fresh look at my own abilities and how am I using them to fulfill the work God has given me to do; and stewardship of treasure, because as your priest I am also a fellow member of our parish and I must therefore make my own financial commitment of a significant portion of my own income for our parish, to enable the practical necessities for the mission of God’s people here at Our Lady of the Assumption to continue.

Enclosed in the packet was a commitment of giving card, on which I invite you to join me in making a pledge for weekly giving during the coming year. If you have not yet filled out the pledge card and brought it, I ask you to do so now. There are cards and pencils in the pews. Please note carefully the backside of the card which identifies giving in terms of a percentage of your income. I would like to ask you to consider whether it would be possible for you to increase your giving even by 1/2 percent of your income? I have increased my own pledge in that way; can you take that same step in gratitude for God’s blessings?

© Thomas Welbers 2003