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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

CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP FROM SUNDAYS READINGS

This Palm Sunday represents one of the great liturgical dichotomies. We begin the liturgy with a procession of celebration, and we continue to the reading of the Passion, which reaches its zenith with the Lord calling out, “ ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit’; and when he had said this he breathed his last.” It is as if we move from joy and celebration to utter defeat and emptiness. However, that is the essence of our entire Lenten journey, and our beginning of Holy Week, which is today. One of the important aspects of our sense of stewardship is gaining an understanding of our Faith, some of the details relating to what we do and why we do it.

The steward understands that she/he travels with the Lord every step of the way, from the highs to the lows, from triumph to evident disaster. Like Peter, nonetheless, we may become reluctant. What are we really following and what are we really believing and practicing? We may proclaim Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Throughout Lent we have been striving to deepen our relationship with Him. Nevertheless, when it comes right down to it, we may resist His invitation to us because it can mean pain, sacrifice, and suffering. That is why we must experience Lent. That is why we must experience His Passion. And that is why next week on Easter Sunday we will arise with the Lord in triumph, joy, and celebration. Truly, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Copyright © 2013 www.TheCatholicSteward.com