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What are we really being called to do during Lent? Does giving up chocolate or wine for 40 days draw us closer to Christ? Lent is a time to make sacrifices that draw us into a closer relationship with Christ and ultimately make us a better person. 

Stewardship withstands the test of time. Jesus called us to be His disciples and the path to being a disciple is through living a life of stewardship. Jesus tells us exactly how to achieve this in St. John’s Gospel when He says, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 14: 34-35).  

Let go, and let God! That is a New Year’s resolution we should all embrace.

What do you WANT for Christmas?” Yes, that is the question most frequently asked this time of year. Christmas is upon us and we are checking our list twice to make sure we have the perfect gift for everyone on our list. 

Obviamente, el Día de Acción de Gracias es un momento maravilloso para contar nuestras bendiciones. Sin embargo, como cristianos que se esfuerzan por vivir una vida de corresponsabilidad, estamos llamados a dar gracias por nuestras muchas bendiciones en todo lo que hacemos a lo largo del año.

Obviously, Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to count our blessings. Yet, as Christians striving to live a life of stewardship, we are called to give thanks for our many blessings in all that we do throughout the year. 

En la sociedad secular de hoy, el éxito se mide a menudo por el tamaño de nuestra casa, las vacaciones exóticas, el coche que conducimos o los lujos que podemos o no podemos permitirnos. La mentalidad de "estar al día con los Jones" nos lleva a mejorar, a aumentar el tamaño y a superarnos. La cultura del "más es mejor" es peligrosa para la fidelidad de un buen administrador cristiano. La lucha contra el egoísmo y la codicia es implacable. Dado que hoy es más difícil aceptar el reto de ser un mayordomo cristiano, debemos hacer un esfuerzo especial para comprender el verdadero significado de la mayordomía y vivir en consecuencia.

In today’s secular society, success is often measured by the size of our house, exotic vacations, the car we drive or the luxuries we can or cannot afford! The “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality causes us to upgrade, upsize and outdo. The “more is better” culture is dangerous to the faithfulness of a good Christian steward. The struggle against selfishness and greed is relentless. Because it is harder today to accept the challenge of being a Christian steward, we must make a special effort to understand the true meaning of stewardship and live accordingly. 

¿Alguna vez ha programado un tiempo o ha puesto una alarma para rezar? ¿Cómo encaja la oración en la fórmula tiempo + talento + tesoro = mayordomía?  ¿Ser voluntario o servir en un ministerio se considera administración de nuestro tiempo? No, en realidad, ser voluntario y servir en el ministerio es ser un buen administrador de nuestros talentos. Sin embargo, el tiempo en la fórmula de la mayordomía se refiere al tiempo en la oración. La fórmula de la corresponsabilidad podría decirse simplemente: orar + servir + dar = corresponsabilidad.

Have you ever scheduled time or set an alarm for prayer? How does prayer fit into the time + talent + treasure = stewardship formula anyway?  Is volunteering or serving in a ministry considered stewardship of our time? No, actually, volunteering and serving in ministry is being a good steward of our talents. However, time in the stewardship formula refers to time in prayer. The stewardship formula could be simply stated, pray + serve + give = stewardship.

Brindar una luz de esperanza a los necesitados es la forma de vida de un mayordomo cristiano. La mayordomía consiste en utilizar los talentos que Dios nos ha dado para ayudar a los necesitados, independientemente de su procedencia o de cómo hayan llegado a nuestras comunidades. 

Shining a light of hope to those in need is a Christian steward’s way of life. Stewardship is using our God given talents to help those in need regardless of where they came from or how they arrived in our communities.  

¿Cómo medimos nuestra valía? Si siguiéramos las tendencias de la sociedad, las posesiones serían la forma de medir nuestro valor o éxito en la vida. Dinero, casas, coches, logros personales, logros de los hijos, artefactos... la lista continúa.

How do we measure our worth? If we were to follow the trends of society, possessions would be how we might measure our value or success in life. Money, houses, cars, personal accomplishments, children’s accomplishments, gadgets ...the list goes on. 

Each one of us represents a different color in God’s perfect painting. It takes each one of us using our gifts and talents to fulfill God’s plan for our lives. I am not an artist, so think of a giant color-by-numbers painting. The picture is not complete unless all the colors are filled in, making each one of us equally important.  

Summer time is here! Time for vacations, travel and new adventures! Yes, summer is a time when many of us take a break from our everyday lives and go on a vacation to relax or travel to visit family and friends. Traveling to new places is always an adventure and presents a great opportunity for us as Christian disciples striving to be good stewards.  The Gospels are full of stories of Jesus traveling with His disciples and teaching in different towns and cities. Before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He commissioned His disciples to, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations …” — Matthew 28:19 

 Why does stewardship call us to give? Of course, our parish and other charities need our financial support to run ministries, pay bills, staff and much more. However, do we ever consider our need to give? 

"He humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”  — Philippians 2:8

Lent calls for sacrifice much like stewardship. What better time than Lent to focus on being a good Christian steward. During Lent we make sacrifices for 40 days through prayer, fasting and almsgiving to prepare for Easter. As faithful Catholic stewards, we are called to step out of our comfort zone to share the gifts of time, talent and treasure that God so generously gave us all the time. If we are not living the life of a Christian steward, Lent is the perfect time to start!

When we love someone, we naturally want to give to that person. Whether it is our children, grandchildren, parents, spouse, friend or a new relationship, we generously give to them. Why do we have to work so hard at being a good steward when we love God?