Podcasts

Take Nothing for the Journey

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Mark 6:7-8,12-13   He summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money in their belts. So they went off and preached repentance.They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.

The apostles left everything to obey Jesus’ instructions. Anything they thought they might need to thrive on their trek, they left it behind. They took nothing for the journey. Surely, that made them nervous. But note: Jesus didn’t send them out solo. He paired them up to send them out two by two. Together in community, they willingly detached from their insecurities, and trusted God to provide. And in doing so, they successfully carried out His mission.

Living stewardship is not meant to be done in isolation. God knows our need for each other, our need to be in community. As community – our family, our brothers and sisters in Christ, the Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes as examples – together, when we put God first, when we obey Him and trust Him, we, too, successfully carry out His mission. We may have some anxious moments. But when we put others’ needs ahead of our own desires for more money and possessions, we are more effective in changing our environments for the good of His kingdom. And we feel a sense of satisfaction for doing what God asks us to do. 

Let’s join together in fraternity. Together, let’s put God first. Let’s detach from the things we think we need to be comfortable and successful, trust that God will provide our needs, and obey His commands to give and serve. Like the apostles were sent two by two, let’s join together to carry out the mission of preaching repentance for our consumerism, and drive out the demons of materialism. Doing this will bring you the peace, joy, contentment, and happiness you truly desire.

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A Thorn in the Flesh

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

St. Paul had a truly awesome revelation. He shares how God kept him grounded. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 we read, “That I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’”

Paul’s thorn was given him to help him deal with being too elated by what he could legitimately boast about. Don’t we sometimes boast about our successes? We can get a little too caught up in ourselves. We buy stuff and do things that, in essence, say, “Look at me. Look at what I’ve done. Look at what I have. Aren’t I wonderful.”

Many people have opportunities to boast, be it due to financial and business success, physical health and beauty, and other seemingly good reasons. But as good stewards, we know that we truly do not have any reason to call attention to our accomplishments, or good fortune, or least of all, any fleeting beauty. We know that all of these are gifts from God. We are to receive them gratefully. Humbly. In gratitude for them, we are to give praise and thanksgiving to God.

When Jesus performed miracles, He usually instructed the healed person to tell no one. He deflected all acclaim to God. All glory goes to God the Father. It certainly is not due us. Hence, we, like Paul, may need a thorn in our side. 

What is your thorn? What do you struggle with when it comes to putting God first in your finances? Is it worry – worry about what others might think or say about you if you have to decline invitations to go out on the town? Is it concern about how you might not look so successful if you give sacrificially instead of having that money to spend on luxuries? Whatever your thorn, bring it to God in prayer. Leave it at the cross for Jesus to handle. In humble gratitude give God praise for all of His blessings, be obedient to His commands, give courageously to the needs of the poor and trust that God’s grace will be sufficient for you.

 

Photo Credits: Robert Davis

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Giving is Acceptable According to What One Has

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

St. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:12-14, “For if the eagerness is there, it is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have; not that others should have relief while you are burdened, but that as a matter of equality your surplus at the present time should supply their needs, so that their surplus may also supply your needs, that there may be equality.”

Time for a quick review: Stop for a moment and think about all the blessings in your life. Write them down…       

 

…What did you write? Family; Job; House; Health; Yes of course, what wonderful blessings. Did you also include God’s unconditional love for you? His mercy and forgiveness? And also, His real presence with us always and especially in the Eucharist? And the one that overwhelms me – His suffering and dying on the cross in payment for your sins so that by faith in Him, you can have eternal life with Him in Heaven – oh my goodness. I mean truly – how blessed are we, Amen?!

Our stewardship mindset reminds us that all of this is gift. Everything single thing that we have and all that we are are gifts to us from God. God’s generosity invites a response. When we admit and embrace this truth, we know in our hearts that we must make a return to God for all the gifts and benefits He gives to us. In all humility and profound gratitude, and as St. Paul reminded the Corinthians as he reminds us, as a matter of equality, according to what we have, we are to use and share our gifts to supply the needs of others.

Does your giving reflect how grateful you are for all of God’s blessings? Give according to what you have to help others. 

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Stewardship can be Scary!

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Like the storm the disciples encounterd when crossing the Sea of Galilee was scary, living Stewardship can be scary. Putting God first in every

area of your life – every facet of your life – includinging in your spending can seem terrifying? But that is what we as disciples are called to do. Hesitant? Afraid? Jesus admonishes us, “Oh you of little faith.” (Mt 8:26) Mark’s Gospel in Chapter 4 verse 40 has Jesus asking us, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

Being obedient to God’s will can seem intimidating. Of course, even knowing God’s will can seem confusing. But we can be sure that in God’s will is for us to acknowledge that He is the source of all we are and all we have. Another part of His will surely is to respond to all of His gifts and blessings with humility, gratitude, and generosity. We are to detach from our comforts and desires, and trust that He will provide. And that certainly can be scary.  Delaying gratification and relying on anyone other than ourselves goes against cultural norms. But it is only when we put God first that we find the peace and happiness that we seek. 

How do we do this? The key is to start small. Take that first small step of faith. Because that’s what it takes – faith. Living a Stewardship way of life demands that you have faith. Putting God first in everything and giving courageously and sacrificially requires you to trust God. Trust that He knows you, He loves you, He wants the best for you, and He will provide. This comes of faith. 

Faith is a gift. Pray for the gift of faith to trust God and give. Give courageously in response to all the blessings He gives to you. 

Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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Who Are My Mother and Brothers?

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Mark 3:33-35   But he said to them in reply, “Who are my mother and [my] brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.[For] whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

This Gospel might seem a little strange. It kind of sounds like Jesus kicked his family to the curb, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” Huh?

But think of it this way – Jesus expands family beyond any bloodline connection. He considers us family when we do the will of God. This is great news! All we have to do to be a part of His family is know the will of God and do it. How? St. Luke put it this way, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.” (Luke 8:21)  So, doing the will of God is being obedient to His word. And what does His word tell us to do?

  • Love God above all else, and love our neighbor as ourselves.
  • Give God praise and thanksgiving always and everywhere.
  • Give back to God from our entire selves – Time, Talents, and Treasure, in humble gratitude for all of His blessings. 

In this, let’s look to Matthew 25 and find the works of mercy: feeding, clothing, providing shelter, visiting the sick, the shut- in, and those in prison. To this I add, educating kids from poor families, and providing real solutions for young pregnant women to choose life.  Being obedient to God’s word, putting God first in every area of our lives, and giving to the needs of the poor – to me, this is doing God’s will. This is living stewardship.

So – be obedient to God’s word. Give in response to God’s blessings!

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