STEWARDSHIP OF SACRIFICIAL GIVING WITNESS TALK
PRESENTED BY: JAN DRUYVESTYN
SEPTEMBER 20/21, 2014
Four years ago this fall, I began weekly sessions in RCIA, thanks to Father Bill’s encouragement. I was received into full communion in the church the following Easter Vigil – and things have not been the same since. That’s the reason, this Stewardship Sunday, I am grateful to share my story.
By way of introduction to the Catholic Church, my husband (who was a new Catholic himself), gave me a subscription to The Magnificat – the monthly meditation that many of you read. The daily Scripture readings, prayers, and meditations opened my heart and fed me spiritually. So much so, that after a year, I was actually “dependent” on reading it each day.
That was the beginning of the journey that led to Saint Pius.
What was happening, I realized, was the fulfillment of the promise in the Epistle of James, chapter 4:8: “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” And God did – beyond my imagining.
To my surprise, I discovered that two of our Scripture readings for today hold that same promise: In Isaiah 55: “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call him while he is near.” And Psalm 145: “The Lord is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.”
So – drawing near to God ever more faithfully through prayer, reading God’s word, and listening in silence to the Holy Spirit, the priorities shifted for my life. I began closely watching how I used my time and all my resources. I realized I was swept away – as most of us are – by the presumed “need” in our society for more and more possessions, for the excuses to be self-indulgent (think... specialty coffee drinks, the extra glass of wine … fill in the blanks) – and the mindless living with excess.
What’s interesting is that I didn’t intentionally decide to change any habits. The changes occurred because I had drawn nearer to God. And one of those changes, or decisions, was how – and how much – I was giving to the church.
I no longer view my annual pledge as an obligation, but rather an act of worship. It’s thanksgiving! This is also what the Eucharist is for us each time we are here in worship to receive the body and blood of Christ.
All that we have is from God – entrusted to us to serve him. So I asked myself, “How can I possibly thank God except to return to him in thanks-giving all my gifts: time, talent, and treasure.”
We are blessed to be members of this parish, to worship in a community that supports one another and as faithful witnesses, seeks to renew all things in Christ. We are blessed by Father Bill and Father Terry who lead us in worship and help guide us along our way through life.
Many of us know what it’s like to have Father Bill walk through the door of a hospital room. He is in that instant the face of Christ. And how often he, and Father Terry, come alongside us when we are in need of comfort, support, or blessing.
I had a very dear friend, name Elsie, who rather late in her life discovered the peace and joy of drawing near to God. Despite the loss of her son, her husband, and two strokes that left her paralyzed, Elsie would always say, “Gratitude is everything.”
May we all count our blessings today – in gratitude – and pray for what we might do to repay those blessings – past, present, and future – to our beloved Saint Pius X Catholic Church.
And may we all be disciples – shining witnesses of Christ’s love to the world – so others may come into this fellowship – welcomed as I was – into the open arms of Christ’s love.
For this, I give praise to God. And I thank you.
