Podcasts

The Big ‘E’

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

In 2 Timothy 1:8 we hear Paul tell us, “ So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord.” I don’t know about you, but that sounds a bit like the big ‘E’ word, Evangelizing. 

Evangelization. That sounds scary to most of us–especially if you think of evangelization as having to scream out on a corner like a street preacher. Then I can understand why you’d shy away from it. And I’d agree with you. I wouldn’t want to do that, either. Besides, we know that fear of public speaking is the most common of phobias, ranking ahead of death, spiders, or heights. 

But, what is evangelization at its core? It is simply helping others to become disciples by sharing the Good News about how much God loves you and them. We certainly should not be ashamed of telling people of God’s love and how it is the source of joy and awe that overwhelms us.  

Being joyful attracts others as we express our gratefulness for God’s love and provision for us. Our joy radiates the transformative power of our faith in God through our actions and words. Blessed Columba Marmion said, “Joy is the echo of God’s life in us.” Our enthusiasm inspires others to embark on their own faith journey, guiding them with love and understanding, helping them to discover the truth of God’s love for them. This approach to evangelizing acknowledges the unique journey of everyone around us, encouraging their growth in faith while deepening our own.

One way to show people how God’s love transforms you is by living a stewardship life. His abundant generosity and lavish love moves you to have so much faith and trust in Him that you put Him first in every area of your life, including with your money. Being bold enough to live generously will do the big ‘E’ for you. Giving generously and joyfully will be your street preaching . 

Giving to the needs of others out of love for God brings you the greatest sense of joy. Giving sacrificially is the strongest statement you can make of your faith and trust in God to provide. Let your joyful giving be the way you share your testimony.

Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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Beggars on the Street

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Are there beggars on the street corners where you live? How do you respond to them? I confess they make me nervous. I certainly don’t want to make eye contact with them. My initial reaction is often skepticism; just go get a job. They’re probably an organized group whose work is begging, pooling what they collect at the end of the day. Or worse–my response is disdain and judgement. They’ll just use the money to buy drugs or alcohol…  

Scripture tells us that how we respond and serve the needs of the poor has eternal consequences. Luke 16:19-31 is the story of poor Lazarus begging at the rich man’s door, hoping for a scrap from his table. Jesus tells us that he didn’t even acknowledge the existence of Lazarus. He didn’t make eye contact with the beggar who was right in front of him. We know how it ends for Lazarus, the rich man, and us by the end of the parable. 

The material excesses of our society desensitize us to the needs of the least of our brothers and sisters. An overabundance of stuff can cause us to be complacent towards their lack. It can put a gulf between us and the poor.

What is the chasm that separates you from serving Jesus in the poor? Is it indifference or skepticism about their need? Is it fear of not having enough if you give, or lack of trust in God that He will provide? When we truly acknowledge all the blessings God gives to us, then out of love and fairness, we are obliged to share our sufficiency with those in need. Our church teaches us that our wealth is not just for our enjoyment, but for the common good (CCC 2402-2404).

Be courageous and give to the beggars on the street! Have faith and trust that God will provide. Put God first in every area of your life – Time, Talent, and Treasure; volunteer and give to charities that serve the poor.

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God and mammon

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Does having more money and owning more property make you feel secure? Do you rely on your education, your skills and abilities to pave the way to more prosperity? Is this not trusting more in yourself and your wealth – in other words – in mammon, than in God? Jesus tells us in Luke 16 that we cannot serve both God and mammon.

What is “Mammon?” It is the god-like term for wealth, riches, and material possessions. Jesus uses the term to personify wealth as a rival master to God. Mammon today is materialism, consumerism, and greed. It has the power to draw us away from God. It is a disease. How do you treat this disease? How can you put mammon in its proper place? 

In a word–Generosity. Generosity is the medicine that cures the disease of worldly desire and greed. Giving frees us from being slaves to mammon. Obedience to God’s commands to give of our first fruits is our intentional acknowledgement of His authority in our life. He is entitled to honor and respect. His Divine Lordship over every facet of our life, including our money, is not a threat, but a place of safety and security. 

The sugar that helps this medicine go down is gratitude. Be grateful to God for all the gifts He gives you. He is the source and origin of all you are and all you have. He is the one who gives you the ability, the education, and the skills to acquire wealth (Dt. 8:18). Giving expresses our gratitude for all the blessings God gives to us.  

Another sweetener to help ease the medicine is to think of money as a tool to bring you closer to Christ. The catechism teaches us this very tenet. In CCC 226 it says that anything that is not God is to be used only insofar as it brings us closer to God.

How can money be that kind of tool? How can money help us to grow closer to God. By giving. Giving to supply the needs of the poor is the manifestation of our trust and faith in God to provide. Almsgiving is an act of praise and worship. This is what gives us a sense of purpose and meaning. It is generosity that brings us the joy and satisfaction we seek for our lives, not another golf club or pair of jeans.  

We know that God is to be our master. He is to be first in our lives. We are to seek and serve Him and not mammon. We do that when we give first. So give and gain the peace that you seek in your life.

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The Cost of Discipleship

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Who would begin to build a house without first figuring out how much it’s gonna cost? No one would do that. It’s the same with discipleship. Do you really want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? If so, what is the cost of discipleship?

Discipleship is a serious decision. Jesus tells us plainly what the cost of discipleship is in Luke 14:26-33: Hate your parents and children;  Carry your own cross; Renounce all your possessions. This is serious stuff. 

Now I’m counting on all the Bible commentaries to be right when they explain that this is hyperbole. But still, mature discipleship asks something of us. What is that, what is the cost? In short–everything. The cost of discipleship is to put God first ahead of everything else in our lives: family, work, aspirations, worries, self! In practical terms, what does that look like?

Pray first. Praying first puts God first. Pray before all events and activities and all of the time. Give first. Make giving the first category of expenses in your budget. Surrender your ego and, in utmost humility, accept that He gives us everything. Then in overwhelming gratitude for His gifts, give out of love and justice for our neighbors in need. Give generously and courageously. Give and trust that God will provide. This cost of trusting God comes under the “detachment” column. We must be detached from our possessions so that God can be first. 

St. Oscar Romero challenges us with this, “A gospel that doesn’t unsettle, a word of God that doesn’t get under anyone’s’ skin—what gospel is that?” This Gospel passage in Luke does exactly that. Will you embrace the message and pay the cost to be a disciple of Jesus? 

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It’s Hard to be Humble

Published on: by Joe Galloway Comment

Do you find that it’s hard to be humbe? Are you like Mac Davis and crow about how you’re perfect in everyway? Ha! I bet not. And good thing – Jesus tells us in Luke 14:11 “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Giving as the first category of spending in the budget intentionally humbles ourselves before God and puts Him first – ahead of everything else. It is humbly acknowledging Him as the source and provider of all we have. It is how we show deference and respect for His authority in our lives.

The Old Testament philosopher Ben Sira gives us great advice about humility: 

My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find mercy in the sight of God. For great is the power of the Lord; by the humble he is glorified. (Sirach 3:17-20)

The Church teaches that we are to give sacrificially – just at the edge of what we think we can afford. Giving sacrificially is putting our budget in the lowest seat at the banquet, the advice Jesus gives us in verse 10. It is our admission of being dependent on God. It is our humble trust that He will provide what we need. It is a strong statement of our gratitude for all of the blessings He gives us. 

So, in overwhelming gratitude and utmost humility, give sacrificially.                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                               Photo Credit: Robert Davis

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