Pope Benedict XVI includes an invitation to Christian Stewardship in his Lenten Message
In his Lenten message for the year 2008, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, reflects on one of the fundamental aspects of Christian stewardship as a basis for almsgiving, his theme for this year. The pontiff observed that the Gospel teaches that we are only administrators, not owners, of the material resources we possess. Indeed, our material possessions are the “means through which the Lord calls each one of us to act as stewards of his providence for our neighbor,” he maintained.
Our Holy Father also said that in predominatly Christian countries, the invitation to practice stewardship is even greater: “In those countries whose population is majority Christian, the call to share is even more urgent, since their responsibility toward the many who suffer poverty and abandonment is even greater. To come to their aid is a duty of justice even prior to being an act of charity.”
Pope Benedict XVI invites us to embrace almsgiving as a Lenten discipline, a way to spiritual renewal and as a part of our obligation to be Christian stewards.
Stewardship and New Year’s Resolutions
Stewardship is a commitment of mind and heart to the Lord; a way of life that needs constant renewal and transformation. This time of year has always been one of looking forward to a new year, reflection on the changes we need to make in our lives and resolving to follow through on those changes. Perhaps those who seek to make resolutions to be better stewards might find inspiration in the following samples:
Stewardship of Family: Resolve to set aside more time to stay connected with your family. Eat dinner together, schedule regular dates with your spouse, plan family outings, and go to Mass together.
Stewardship of Health: Resolve to get those medical and dental checkups. Adopt healthier eating habits. Add exercise and other physical activity to your daily routine.
Stewardship of Possessions: Resolve to possess a little more “lightly” this year. Consider ways you can reduce the amount of all that stuff you own. Distinguish between those items that are necessary and those that are considered luxurious and unnecessary.
Stewardship of Parish Family: Resolve to serve your faith community in some way this year such as at liturgy, in the parish’s outreach or education and formation efforts.
Stewardship of Money: Resolve to render sacred your annual budget. Re-prioritize your financial goals to ensure that the Lord comes first in your spending. Take positive steps to improve your financial health.
Stewardship of Work: Resolve to be faithful to your daily, work related tasks and offer them up to the Lord. Cultivate your skills. Deepen your knowledge. Be mindful of how you are building the Kingdom of God.
Stewardship of Mind: Resolve to keep your mind active. Commit to being more informed on the issues of the day. Read your bible. In this year of presidential elections in the United States, familiarize yourself with the Church’s social teachings.
Stewardship of Neighbor: Resolve to be a person of hospitality; to make time and space for others who enter your life. Be more aware of those times when a neighbor, co-worker, fellow parishioner or stranger, needs a moment of kindness, a little attention or an affirming gesture on your part.
Stewardship of the Poor: Resolve to live with more compassion and in solidarity with those less fortunate. Remember the poor in prayer, and commit to helping relieve in some way the plight of those who are impoverished or marginalized.