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CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS

The real stewardship message for this, the Second Sunday of Easter, is found in the Gospel of John. It is a story with which almost all of us are familiar — the story of “Doubting Thomas.” This loyal Apostle to the Lord was the first of the Apostles to actually say that he would die for Jesus. Thomas followed Jesus for three years, only to see Him crucified and buried, is disheartened, just as we sometimes are.

Why is Thomas not in the room with the other Apostles? Perhaps he, just as each of us can be, is deeply discouraged, profoundly disappointed, and he is off wandering, trying to reconcile what has happened, what he has witnessed. When he returns and hears the accounts of Jesus’ appearance, even from Peter, Thomas is skeptical.

At the heart of a stewardship way of life is trust in the Lord. Like Thomas, we sometimes want to see proof for ourselves; experience personally that the hope promised by Christ is real. Living a stewardship way of life is a way of achieving that. Even though, like Thomas, we may have moments of doubt, if we truly pursue service and sacrifice, we, like Thomas, are proclaiming, “My Lord and my God.” And we, like Thomas, will hear those wonderful words, “Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”

Copyright © 2013 www.TheCatholicSteward.com

CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS

Our reflection on the Easter readings may be as profound as any throughout the liturgical year.

As difficult as Jesus’ Resurrection is to understand, it is important to note what happened when John and Peter arrived at the tomb as reported in today’s Gospel. They were initially in disbelief, even though Jesus had tried to make it clear to them over and over. John, it is said “saw and then he believed.” We hearken back to our Scripture reading of a few weeks ago that proclaimed, “Faith, Hope, and Love, but the greatest of these is love.” Today — Easter — is the fulfillment of hope. That is why we greet this day with joy, but it is also why we as stewards must fulfill that hope by living lives of love.

The first reading on this Holy Easter is not from the Old Testament, as is most common, but it is from the Acts of the Apostles. Peter speaks of being present, being a witness, and if we listen carefully to his words, we can sense his enthusiasm, his dedication, and his zeal that Christ has risen.

We are called to be an Easter people. There is a significant difference between being an Easter people and just a Church people. If we are truly an Easter people, our focus is on the victory that Christ’s Resurrection presents to us. Easter and the promise it presents us make us a joyful people who worship with a sense of hope and confidence. Easter people as good stewards live their lives with an attitude of gratitude, not a sense of obligation. Easter people do not fear death, but have comfort in the promises and salvation of Christ.

“Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.” (Col 3:3-4)

Copyright © 2013 www.TheCatholicSteward.com