A Letter from Fr. Paul - Sunday, September 18th

God has given us many gifts.  Our readings this week remind us that these are GIFTS, not something we have earned, and they are given to us, not just for our own good, but to be used for others and to build up the Kingdom.
 
I see two steps that are necessary to be “good stewards” of the gifts God has given me.  First of all, I have to realize that all I am and have are free gifts of God, not something that I have earned.  When someone gives me a gift, I am grateful and I always say thank you. When I am cognizant that all I am and have are gifts from God, I will be thankful and express that thanks.
 
Second, one of the ways I show appreciation for a gift is to use it well.  If someone gives me a watch but I never use it, my words of thanks will appear shallow.  But if the person sees it on my wrist day after day, my words of thanks and appreciation will have meaning. 
 
Our readings this weekend tell us how we are to use the gifts that God gave us: we are to share them generously for the good of others, reflecting God’s generosity to us.  This is a win-win, because others need our support and we will ultimately be happier if we are generous with what God has given us.  What I mean is shown in the character of Scrooge in Dicken’s A Christmas Carol. At the beginning of the story, Scrooge is “serving mammon,” that is, his wealth was possessing him.  And he was an unhappy, grumpy man.  But when he opened his heart and shared his wealth with others, he became happy and content.
 
How aware am I of God’s generosity to me?  Does that awareness help me to be generous to others in sharing my time, talent and treasure?  This weekend we are having a ministry fair after Masses.  Am I sharing some of my time and talent with my community?  There are lots of different opportunities.  I hope each of you is involved in at least one way.  God bless.
 
Church sign of the week: A large heart can be filled with very little.