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Parable, Parable, a lot of Parables

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

This past Sunday, Jesus proposed parable. We know Jesus used a lot of parables to teach. Scholars argue – that’s what they do – but they estimate a range of between 30 and 50 parables in the Gospels. This particular one is the parable of the Mustard seed in Matthew 13. He tells us that it is the smallest of all the seeds. Yet when full-grown it is the largest of plants. So large, it becomes a bush that birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.

I love this parable. My friend Craig likes to ask, “Can a mustard seed move a mountain?” I think this parable shows that with God the answer is ‘yes.’ We see in it that God takes something small, seemingly inconsequential, and does something extraordinary. He does that with our gifts, too.

Think about it – as God owns everything, any gift we make is small by comparison. But, when we give what we can – willingly, lovingly, and eagerly (2Cor. 8:11-12), we can trust that God takes that, grows it, multiplies it, and does miraculous things, like feeding thousands with just a few loaves and fish.

Our gifts combine with the gifts of others of goodwill so that the resources and talents available to help and serve become huge. Together, our giving makes a meaningful impact. We become a part of the Gospel mission to feed, clothe, house, educate, and help the most vulnerable amongst us. And that builds the kingdom of God right here on earth. We literally change the world. Certainly, we help our community.

So, step out in faith and give. Venerable Fulton Sheen said, “When we die to something, something comes alive within us. When we give, we die to self, charity comes alive.”

Giving expresses our love and makes our charity come alive. Giving is our praise and thanksgiving for all the blessings and benefits God gives to us.

                                                                                                                                                         Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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What’s the Point of Giving?

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Does this thought resonate with you, “The needs are so great, my meager donation won’t make a dent. So, what’s the point of giving?” Frankly, this illumines one of the great advantages of being a part of a church.

The mission of the Church is to glorify God and continue the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ, which we know from Matthew 25 is to feed, clothe, house, heal and help those in need. In other words, to serve the needs of the poor. On my own, I can make but a little difference. But, when I combine my offering with your generosity, then the parish to can make a meaningful impact. We are stronger together.

You don’t think your giving matters? Give anyway because giving shows your love for God. Giving is about your response to God for all the blessings He gives to you. Giving makes you a part of the majestic mission of the church to serve the poor.

St. Julie Billiart, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur during the French Revolution told us, “Do not be anxious. Go straight on, forgetful of self, letting the spirit of God act instead of your own.” I love that—we give forgetful of self, letting the Holy Spirit act with our gift.

Consider a couple of thoughts about the spiritual benefits of giving:

  • As disciples of Jesus, we should strive to be like Him. Whenever we give, we are being like Him.
  • When we give, we experience a unique closeness to God, our Father that only comes to us as we are generous. Like all parents, God wants to see His children being kind and generous and loving. God loves a cheerful giver

Giving is an act of praise and worship of God. It is the best expression of gratitude you can make for all the blessings He gives to you. Give what you can and trust that God will cause your gift to fall on fertile soil and produce a hundred-fold. (Mt 13: 8)

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Does the Spirit of God Dwell in You?

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

We read in Romans 8:9 that, “You are in the spirit, if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.” What does it mean to have the Spirit of God dwell in you?

It means you consciously and intentionally accept your baptismal gift of the Holy Spirit and let it help you put to death the deeds of the body (v13). So, we die to the materialistic, selfish desires we get because we are relentlessy bombarded with advertisements and enticements to want more stuff. We stop striving for more ease and comfort in our life. We lay these urges and drives at the foot of the cross, giving them to Jesus to handle for us.

This is obviously a challenge, certainly it is for me. I want to be able to buy what I want and enjoy a life free of stress. The American way. But we know that living as good stewards is often counter-cultural. It can seem, rather, to cause a bit of suffering. But Jesus promises us His peace. He calls us to Him where He will give us rest. His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Mt. 11:28-30).

St Paul goes on to tell us in this eighth chapter of Romans that if we are led by the Spirit of God, we are His children, and if children, then heirs. Accept your inheritance as one of God’s children. Enjoy the legacy Jesus left us in the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit dwell within you. St. Seraphim of Sarov says, “When the Spirit of God dwells in a man, the soul is filled with peace.”

                                                                                                                                                               Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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Who Do You Live For?

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Why do you go to work? For what are you striving? For whose benefit? In other words, who do you live for? St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that we must think of ourselves as being dead to sin and so living for God in Christ Jesus. (Rm 6:11)

Many of us are caught up in our work as we strive to provide for our family. And that’s important. A few may be out there trying to conquer the world, grabbing for all they can get solely for their own benefit. But as Christians, we know we should be doing all things for God’s glory. We know we should prefer only to do His will and be unconcerned about others’ opinions about it. We want to live for God, but how?

Jesus seemingly makes it hard when He tells us that whoever loves father, mother, or child more than Him is not worthy of Him. In other words, we are to put Him first before anybody or anything. To take up our cross and follow Him. (Mt. 10:38) Tough words. But there is a way we can live life for God. It is by living Stewardship, making stewardship our way of life.

As stewards, we acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God. No matter how talented we are and how hard we work, we don’t do this on our own. People have helped us along the way, and we enjoy the grace that allows us to be who we are and where we are at this point in time. And so, we praise God and put Him first in every facet of life. We receive all God’s gifts gratefully and use them to serve others and grow His kingdom. This is living for God. This is who we are.

So, live stewardship. Pick up your cross and live for God by putting Him first in every moment of Time, first in the use of your Talents, and first in your generosity with your Treasure. Say along with St. Dominic Savio, “I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God.”

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How do You Acknowledge Jesus?

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

When I see and hear people on a street corner, waving a Bible and screaming out their message of hellfire and damnation, I think that they’re… well let’s just say my thoughts are less than charitable. But you know what? They’re bold. They’re out there publicly acknowledging Jesus. How do you acknowledge Jesus?

In Mt 10:32 Jesus tells us that, “Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.” Hmm… Do I have to stand on the corner and thump my Bible and yell at people like those street evangelists?  I don’t know about you, but that makes me a little nervous.

Of course we want Jesus to acknowledge us before God. What are some of the ways we can acknowledge our faith and trust in Jesus to others? Here are a few:

  • We can go to Mass and join with others in the celebration of the Eucharist. The Mass is a public celebration. But does this meet the spirit of what Jesus is asking for? I don’t know.
  • We can speak kind and be generous to everyone we meet; at the grocery, in the marketplace, at restaurants.
  • Speaking of restaurants, we can pray before the meals comes. One of my friends even asks the waiter if they have anything to be prayed for. I love that.

Not many of us are called, much less comfortable, in proclaiming the Word of God publicly. But, we each can show by our deeds and how we interact with one another that we are motivated by Jesus to love God and to love our neighbor.

This is living stewardship. Stewards acknowledge that God is the source of all we are and all we have. Thus, as stewards, we strive to live as Jesus lived, in humble obedience to God in all things, leaving a legacy of kindness and generosity. How does the way you live, the way you use your Time, Talents, and Treasure acknowledge Jesus before others?

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