STEWARDSHIP: THE CALL

Our Christian vocation is essentially a call to be a disciple of Jesus, and STEWARDSHIP is part of that. Specifically, we are called to be good stewards of the personal vocations we have received. Each of us must discern, accept and live out joyfully and generously the commitments, responsibilities and roles to which God call us.

As the Gospels describe the call of the disciples, we can take note of at least two lessons. First, the call from Jesus is very personal. As he knows our individual life story, he has a singular purpose in mind for each of us; He calls us out as a unique person. Second, we cannot hear the call of Jesus in isolation from one another. Our vocations are communicated, discerned, accepted and lived out in a community of faith. Thus, we must help each other hear the Lord’s voice and respond.

Jesus not only calls us to him, but also sends us out in his service. A consequence of being a disciple is to be sent on a mission. (Mt. 10:5ff; Mk.6:7ff; Lk. 9:1ff). Jesus' call is urgent. He does not tell people to follow him at some time in the future, but here and now -- at this time, in these circumstances. Whoever wants to follow Christ must be up to the challenge – announcing the good news and serving others as Jesus did.

Stewardship is part of discipleship. Christian discipleship begins with vocation, the call to follow Jesus and imitate his way of life. Christians are called to be good stewards of their personal vocations according to the circumstances of their lives. This is how God wants us to cherish and serve a broad range of interests and concerns: life and health; material goods and resources; the natural environment; our culture. As Catholics, we also have a duty to be stewards within and of our church.

Finally, discipleship is not an easy way. We do have, however, an abundance of holy women and men who have gone before us, while our supreme source of guidance is found in the person and teaching of Jesus.

Perhaps we should ask ourselves, "What are some of the reasons why we might hesitate to respond to the Lord's Call?"

Let us pray that each us in the St. John Neumann community of faith will listen to the call of the Lord. Without a vocation our lives are meaningless. We pray further that we will follow the call to stewardship – a call to recognize the importance of sharing our time, talent and treasure.

Fr. Bob Kraig and Stewardship Committee