Care, Notice, Try

November 8: Saturday of Week 31 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

Philippians 4:10-19; Psalm 112:1-2, 5-6, 8, 9; Luke 16:9-15

Click here for the complete text of today’s readings.

What is Jesus saying to us as stewards of his kingship?

(To support  Reaching Jesus: 5 Steps to a Fuller Life ... Step Five )

Care, Notice, Try

“I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me” (Philippians 4:13).

To be responsible for establishing the reign of God over every area and activity of human life on earth is a daunting charge. But that is the responsibility our baptismal consecration as stewards of Christ the King gave us. We are not “middle managers,” but sharers in Christ’s own kingship and responsible directly to him for bringing about everything he desires on earth.

Naturally, we can’t do everything ourselves. Nor do we have the authority to command others. We are responsible only for caring, noticing and trying.

We have to care about everything that fosters or frustrates the establishment of the Kingdom. We are never disinterested bystanders.

If we care, we will notice what contributes to or holds back the work of “building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to… maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).

If we notice what needs to be done, we will try to do it—beginning with tiny changes. “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones.” If God calls us to do great things, we won’t hold back in fear: “We can do all things through him who strengthens us.” Stewardship means using whatever we have to do whatever we can. No more, no less.

PRAY: “Lord, sustain in me a willing spirit” (Psalm 51:12).

PRACTICE: Care, notice, try.