"Fond of Beer in Swarthy Nooks, but Happiest Among his Books"
An intermittent recommended reading list...
Father Walter Ciszek
Father Ciszak was a Jesuit priest who grew up in a mining town in Eastern Pennsylvania.
Following his call to the priesthood he was ordained. His initial formation left him with the strong impression that much good could come from suffering and tragedy as long as one lived in abandonment to Divine Providence and never ceases to trust God's will. Father volunteered to study Russian in hopes of being a missionary there but instead found himself in Poland when the Red Army invaded Poland. He was incarcerated in solitary confinement for five years in the notorious Lubyanka Prison in Moscow and also served 15 years in Gulag at hard labor.
Finally in 1963, after 24 years in captivity he was released in a prisoner exchange. He used his remarkable faith journey to author two classic accounts that deserve a space on every Christian's bookshelf, 'With God in Russia” and “He Leadeth Me.” Lent marks a perfect time to deepen our faith by taking up one or both of these timeless treasures.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Timely Tidbits in Times of Turbulence
As an omnivorous reader and an unabashed lover of inspirational snippets, I'm planning on regularly sharing a few items of both book/reading suggestions and brief stories designed to inspire and broaden our minds. I hope you enjoy them!
A visitor to a desert monk once asked why the monk was sharing food with him instead of fasting as was the custom. The monk replied, “ Fasting is always possible but you will not be here forever. Fasting is useful and necessary, but God's law demands perfect love. When I receive you here I receive Christ, so I must do all I can to show love. When we have said goodbye, I can resume fasting. 'The sons of the bridegroom cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, when he is taken from them then they can fast.'”(Matt 9:15)
A visitor to a desert monk once asked why the monk was sharing food with him instead of fasting as was the custom. The monk replied, “ Fasting is always possible but you will not be here forever. Fasting is useful and necessary, but God's law demands perfect love. When I receive you here I receive Christ, so I must do all I can to show love. When we have said goodbye, I can resume fasting. 'The sons of the bridegroom cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them, when he is taken from them then they can fast.'”(Matt 9:15)
Has God Stopped Giving to You?
Has God Stopped Giving to You?
Recently a very thoughtful gentleman, let's call him Bob, whose love for his parish was almost legendary, was taken aback when one his friends, also a member of that parish, reacted quite bitterly to an invitation to attend a fund raising event. Bob asked his colleague why he was so adamantly against the idea of the church's attempt to raise money.
His friend then launched into a monologue that outlined the many reasons he was upset - the pastor had not chosen the correct projects to focus upon, the priorities for parish were askew, the homilies were uninspiring and the music was awful. He listed several other complaints before taking a deep breath.
Bob, instead of arguing with his friend about this laundry lists of issues and slights simply nodded his head and said, “I understand you are not happy. But let me ask one question, “Has God stopped giving to you?”
This man, expecting a good argument, was rendered speechless by this simple question. After a few moments, he decided after all, to join Bob at the event.
This question - “Has God stopped giving to you?”, is one we would do well to ask ourselves in these turbulent times and this season of Lent.
Has our economic situation -real or perceived – changed our commitment to perform the corporal works of mercy our faith requires? Are we less willing to share whatever we have with the hungry and ill-clothed? Do we try to save some dollars by scrimping when the collection basket passes?
The core of these corporal works is compassion- a reaching out to assist those who are perhaps destitute or vulnerable.
One of the often forgotten elements of our greatest prayer – the Our Father – is the linkage between our own forgiveness and God's forgiving of us. Each day we pray, “and forgive us our trespasses, as WE forgive those who trespass against us.” So we are asking Our Lord to link his generous absolution with our own. Unless we ourselves are forgiving, we cannot ask God to look the other way at our transgressions and failures.
Can you imagine how truly difficult our lives would be if God withheld his bountiful blessings to us on every occasion when we disappointed him? As a loving and perfect father, he does not. He calls us, instead, to repent and to forgive.
As we go through this great season of Lent, we have hopefully taken firm steps to more deeply develop our spiritual selves - more prayer, more study, more devotion and greater focus on our outreach to others in our lives and our parishes. If we have not yet begun to treat Lent as a special time or renewal and sacrifice, it's not too late. Perhaps we've meant to give up those desserts or those special foods we love so much, but have fallen short of our goal. It's then a good time to re-double our efforts to make these sacrifices and achieve the fulfillment that will be ours when we reach the joyful celebration of Easter and can enjoy them again after having given them to God for all these weeks. After all, God hasn't stopped giving to us!
All of our time, talent and treasure comes from God and we're called simply to give some back. Our sacrifices are but a tiny offering back to God for his goodness to us. Collectively, our stewardship and our sacrifice are but means to achieve an even greater good; the great Saint Seraphim of Sarov says it most eloquently -”as for fasts, vigils and prayer, almsgiving and every good deed... are only means of acquiring the Holy Spirit of God. To welcome this Guest into our hearts will lead us to ultimate union with God and toward that unity of the human race wherein all shall acquire the peace and joy God promised through his Son.”
Recently a very thoughtful gentleman, let's call him Bob, whose love for his parish was almost legendary, was taken aback when one his friends, also a member of that parish, reacted quite bitterly to an invitation to attend a fund raising event. Bob asked his colleague why he was so adamantly against the idea of the church's attempt to raise money.
His friend then launched into a monologue that outlined the many reasons he was upset - the pastor had not chosen the correct projects to focus upon, the priorities for parish were askew, the homilies were uninspiring and the music was awful. He listed several other complaints before taking a deep breath.
Bob, instead of arguing with his friend about this laundry lists of issues and slights simply nodded his head and said, “I understand you are not happy. But let me ask one question, “Has God stopped giving to you?”
This man, expecting a good argument, was rendered speechless by this simple question. After a few moments, he decided after all, to join Bob at the event.
This question - “Has God stopped giving to you?”, is one we would do well to ask ourselves in these turbulent times and this season of Lent.
Has our economic situation -real or perceived – changed our commitment to perform the corporal works of mercy our faith requires? Are we less willing to share whatever we have with the hungry and ill-clothed? Do we try to save some dollars by scrimping when the collection basket passes?
The core of these corporal works is compassion- a reaching out to assist those who are perhaps destitute or vulnerable.
One of the often forgotten elements of our greatest prayer – the Our Father – is the linkage between our own forgiveness and God's forgiving of us. Each day we pray, “and forgive us our trespasses, as WE forgive those who trespass against us.” So we are asking Our Lord to link his generous absolution with our own. Unless we ourselves are forgiving, we cannot ask God to look the other way at our transgressions and failures.
Can you imagine how truly difficult our lives would be if God withheld his bountiful blessings to us on every occasion when we disappointed him? As a loving and perfect father, he does not. He calls us, instead, to repent and to forgive.
As we go through this great season of Lent, we have hopefully taken firm steps to more deeply develop our spiritual selves - more prayer, more study, more devotion and greater focus on our outreach to others in our lives and our parishes. If we have not yet begun to treat Lent as a special time or renewal and sacrifice, it's not too late. Perhaps we've meant to give up those desserts or those special foods we love so much, but have fallen short of our goal. It's then a good time to re-double our efforts to make these sacrifices and achieve the fulfillment that will be ours when we reach the joyful celebration of Easter and can enjoy them again after having given them to God for all these weeks. After all, God hasn't stopped giving to us!
All of our time, talent and treasure comes from God and we're called simply to give some back. Our sacrifices are but a tiny offering back to God for his goodness to us. Collectively, our stewardship and our sacrifice are but means to achieve an even greater good; the great Saint Seraphim of Sarov says it most eloquently -”as for fasts, vigils and prayer, almsgiving and every good deed... are only means of acquiring the Holy Spirit of God. To welcome this Guest into our hearts will lead us to ultimate union with God and toward that unity of the human race wherein all shall acquire the peace and joy God promised through his Son.”
Friday, January 16, 2009
Am I getting enough daily “Fruits” in my Life?
A priest friend of mine, an erudite man of almost astonishing insight, once was asked if he was familiar with fruits of the Holy Spirit and whether he could perhaps do some research on them and speak about it at a conference. He replied with his characteristic dry wit, that if one needed to look them up, then they were not an important enough component of our daily lives!
This gracious servant of God was not being contentious or arrogant (he spoke brilliantly on the topic) but was making a point. Now we know our readers won't need to consult their research volumes to bring these fruits to mind but in the interest of refreshing ourselves let's review our catechism: “The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994 Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1832)
A major function of this blog is a dedication to to the stewardship of time, talent and treasure. The aim is to advance, in some small way, our understanding of the many ways in which we can provide stewardship to our parishes and churches. When we look at these fruits of the Holy Spirit, we can see that, as always, we cannot out give Our Lord. When we consider that God always gives us much more than we need, it becomes clearer that the challenge is ours to use the fruits we are provided in our daily spiritual lives to make an impact on our parishes and churches.
As is customary in Christian tradition, whenever there are lists provided, the first one is the most important or at least the first among equals. That is certainly the case with our fruits here. Charity is superior to all the virtues. It is the first of the three theological virtues,: “So faith, hope and charity abide, these three. But the greatest of these is charity.” (1 Cor 13:13)
Scripture goes further, saying charity, “binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Col 3:14) Certainly, we can see how charity binds time, talent and treasure together. Charity is the animating energy that moves us to give of ourselves in every way. It enables us to reach out to our fellow man and share God's love with them and enmesh ourselves in the good works of our faith here on Earth. Turning again tho the catechism, we see how charity, “upholds and purifies our human ability to love and raises it to the supernatural perfection of divine love.” (Catechism, 1827.)
But, as with any abundant fruit basket, the Holy Spirit's basket is overflowing with gleaming and fulfilling nourishment. Let's look at some of the others.
Joy is the second fruit. The Saints show us how joy is a two-fold component . Read virtually any account of the saints, especially the martyrs, and see how they joyfully gave of themselves, even when it required their very lives. They also received joy back, because they were satisfied in a special way that Our Lord had allowed them the privilege of serving Him and modeling for us who follow them.
Peace, patience, gentleness – Does anyone living today not wish they could offer more of these fruits to our fellow man -and to ourselves? As Lent approaches, perhaps it's a good time to contemplate how we can, in even small ways, make these a daily staple of our diet.
Kindness, goodness, generosity – In our busy lives, we are often startled, in a very positive way, when someone shares some of these fruits with us. How can we pass along a morsel to someone else today?
Faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity. Modern society has made these fruits among the most challenging to bring to our table. We know they are good for us, but just like the donut is more convenient on a rushed morning than an apple, so is self-interest more readily obtainable in a business deal than modesty; it's easier to seek attention and self-promotion than it is to peel the fruit of self-control.
Lent arrives next month. Why not make for this visitor a basket of “fruits” to welcome it into our presence?
This gracious servant of God was not being contentious or arrogant (he spoke brilliantly on the topic) but was making a point. Now we know our readers won't need to consult their research volumes to bring these fruits to mind but in the interest of refreshing ourselves let's review our catechism: “The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory. The tradition of the Church lists twelve of them: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994 Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1832)
A major function of this blog is a dedication to to the stewardship of time, talent and treasure. The aim is to advance, in some small way, our understanding of the many ways in which we can provide stewardship to our parishes and churches. When we look at these fruits of the Holy Spirit, we can see that, as always, we cannot out give Our Lord. When we consider that God always gives us much more than we need, it becomes clearer that the challenge is ours to use the fruits we are provided in our daily spiritual lives to make an impact on our parishes and churches.
As is customary in Christian tradition, whenever there are lists provided, the first one is the most important or at least the first among equals. That is certainly the case with our fruits here. Charity is superior to all the virtues. It is the first of the three theological virtues,: “So faith, hope and charity abide, these three. But the greatest of these is charity.” (1 Cor 13:13)
Scripture goes further, saying charity, “binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Col 3:14) Certainly, we can see how charity binds time, talent and treasure together. Charity is the animating energy that moves us to give of ourselves in every way. It enables us to reach out to our fellow man and share God's love with them and enmesh ourselves in the good works of our faith here on Earth. Turning again tho the catechism, we see how charity, “upholds and purifies our human ability to love and raises it to the supernatural perfection of divine love.” (Catechism, 1827.)
But, as with any abundant fruit basket, the Holy Spirit's basket is overflowing with gleaming and fulfilling nourishment. Let's look at some of the others.
Joy is the second fruit. The Saints show us how joy is a two-fold component . Read virtually any account of the saints, especially the martyrs, and see how they joyfully gave of themselves, even when it required their very lives. They also received joy back, because they were satisfied in a special way that Our Lord had allowed them the privilege of serving Him and modeling for us who follow them.
Peace, patience, gentleness – Does anyone living today not wish they could offer more of these fruits to our fellow man -and to ourselves? As Lent approaches, perhaps it's a good time to contemplate how we can, in even small ways, make these a daily staple of our diet.
Kindness, goodness, generosity – In our busy lives, we are often startled, in a very positive way, when someone shares some of these fruits with us. How can we pass along a morsel to someone else today?
Faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity. Modern society has made these fruits among the most challenging to bring to our table. We know they are good for us, but just like the donut is more convenient on a rushed morning than an apple, so is self-interest more readily obtainable in a business deal than modesty; it's easier to seek attention and self-promotion than it is to peel the fruit of self-control.
Lent arrives next month. Why not make for this visitor a basket of “fruits” to welcome it into our presence?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
A Light From the East - A Touch of Byzantine Catholicism
Often I'm met with much curiosity when I mention that I attend a Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic Parish. Perhaps the most common question is, "Are you under the Pope?" I always smile and say that yes, not only are we "under the Pope," but that our Divine Liturgy - our Mass - has six occasions of prayer for the Holy Father during the service!
I decided I would occasionally share some insight into the Eastern Church, but instead of a lengthy piece that might seem overwhelming to those with interest in this topic, I thought I would sprinkle in some glimpses of the Eastern Churches from time to time.
Today I wanted to share our Communion prayer that is recited just before the distribution of Holy Communion at each liturgy. This prayer spoke to me most powerfully the first time I heard and it still does when each time I recite it.
"O Lord I believe and profess, that You are truly Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Accept me as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Son of God, for I will not reveal your mysteries, nor will I give You a kiss like Judas, but like the thief I confess, Remember me Lord, when you shall come into your kingdom, remember me, O Master, when you shall come into your kingdom, remember me O Holy One, when you shall come into your kingdom. May the partaking of these Holy Mysteries be not for my judgment or condemnation, but for the healing of soul and body.
O Lord I also believe and confess, that this, which I am about to receive, is truly your most precious body, and your life-giving blood, which, I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting.
O God be merciful to me a sinner, O God cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me, O Lord, forgive me, for I have sinned without number."
I find this prayer to speak most directly to our need for Christ's saving grace. Especially in a era when personal sin seems to be spoken of less frequently, it is a reminder that, as the hymn says, "all peace begins with me." I think we need to be reminded that our troubled world can only really be healed from the inside out -and it truly does begin with me.
"Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Set a watch O Lord, before my mouth and a door round about my lips. Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sin." (Psalm 140: 2-4, Douay-Rheims edition)
I decided I would occasionally share some insight into the Eastern Church, but instead of a lengthy piece that might seem overwhelming to those with interest in this topic, I thought I would sprinkle in some glimpses of the Eastern Churches from time to time.
Today I wanted to share our Communion prayer that is recited just before the distribution of Holy Communion at each liturgy. This prayer spoke to me most powerfully the first time I heard and it still does when each time I recite it.
"O Lord I believe and profess, that You are truly Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Accept me as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Son of God, for I will not reveal your mysteries, nor will I give You a kiss like Judas, but like the thief I confess, Remember me Lord, when you shall come into your kingdom, remember me, O Master, when you shall come into your kingdom, remember me O Holy One, when you shall come into your kingdom. May the partaking of these Holy Mysteries be not for my judgment or condemnation, but for the healing of soul and body.
O Lord I also believe and confess, that this, which I am about to receive, is truly your most precious body, and your life-giving blood, which, I pray, make me worthy to receive for the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting.
O God be merciful to me a sinner, O God cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me, O Lord, forgive me, for I have sinned without number."
I find this prayer to speak most directly to our need for Christ's saving grace. Especially in a era when personal sin seems to be spoken of less frequently, it is a reminder that, as the hymn says, "all peace begins with me." I think we need to be reminded that our troubled world can only really be healed from the inside out -and it truly does begin with me.
"Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Set a watch O Lord, before my mouth and a door round about my lips. Incline not my heart to evil words, to make excuses in sin." (Psalm 140: 2-4, Douay-Rheims edition)
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Fireside Christmas verse
A few years ago, thanks to reading the books of author Joseph Pearce (whose biographies I heartily recommend!) I became familiar with the poetry of Father Robert Southwell, an English Jesuit. Father Southwell was put to death for his faith in the hysterically anti-Catholic times near the end of the 16th century. Although only 34 years old when martyred, he managed to pen some remarkable lines of verse. One that is particularly focused on Christmas is entitled, "New Prince, New Pomp," and I thought I would share it here.
Behold, a seely tender babe
in freezing winter night
in homely manger trembling lies;
Alas, a piteous sight!
The inns are full, no man will yield
This little pilgrim bed,
But forced he is with seely beasts
In crib to shroud his head.
Despise him not for lying there,
First, what he is enquire,
An orient pearl is often found
In depth of dirty mire.
Weigh not his crib, his wooden dish,
Nor beast that by him feed;
Weigh not his mother's poor attire
Nor Joseph's simple weed.
This stable is a prince's court,
This crib his chair of state,
The beasts are parcel of his pomp,
The wooden dish his plate.
The persons in that poor attire
His royal liveries wear;
The prince himself is come from heaven;
This pomp is prized there.
With Joy approach O Christian right,
Do homage to thy king;
And highly prize this humble pomp
Which he from heaven doth bring.
I hope you enjoy this wonderful poem and I wish each of you a very blessed and fulfilling Christmas season!
Behold, a seely tender babe
in freezing winter night
in homely manger trembling lies;
Alas, a piteous sight!
The inns are full, no man will yield
This little pilgrim bed,
But forced he is with seely beasts
In crib to shroud his head.
Despise him not for lying there,
First, what he is enquire,
An orient pearl is often found
In depth of dirty mire.
Weigh not his crib, his wooden dish,
Nor beast that by him feed;
Weigh not his mother's poor attire
Nor Joseph's simple weed.
This stable is a prince's court,
This crib his chair of state,
The beasts are parcel of his pomp,
The wooden dish his plate.
The persons in that poor attire
His royal liveries wear;
The prince himself is come from heaven;
This pomp is prized there.
With Joy approach O Christian right,
Do homage to thy king;
And highly prize this humble pomp
Which he from heaven doth bring.
I hope you enjoy this wonderful poem and I wish each of you a very blessed and fulfilling Christmas season!
Advent time and the 12 days of Christmas
I find it amusing and not a little disturbing that we see very little visible evidence of Advent in our lives. Oh sure, when we're in church we see it - the wreath, the candles - but even within our parishes it seems that Advent is overwhelmed by the coming of Christmas. Obviously, our society focuses completely on the secular dimensions of Christmas and in promoting the virtues of commerce. Indeed, we are subjected to the annual ritual of assessing a "good'" Christmas or a "bad" Christmas based solely on the sales figures from the merchants!
Perhaps we could all benefit from a re-commitment to the spiritual richness that Advent can provide. I know I certainly could! Advent allows us, if we cooperate, to focus more intently on prayerful reflection. This is an opportunity to tune out the commercials and tune into God's word. As we sit on the cusp of the beautiful celebrations of Christmas eve and Christmas day, our appreciation for these wonderful events can only be deepened by a few more moments each day spent in preparing our hearts and minds and far fewer hours spent whirling around the overcrowded shopping centers.
An adage from old still applies today - maybe even moreso. This was apparently advice given to newlyweds but is wisdom for all of us - " Live simply, serve generously, care deeply and speak kindly."
Now, another curiosity bordering on peeve is this -a after all of the time spent in anticipating Christmas - my first Christmas catalogs seem to arrive in the Labor Day weekend mail! - many people get to December 26 and then - whoosh! Christmas is forgotten. I'm amused when I see folks in my town out there on December 26 pulling down all of their decorations! Christmas is a season! Such an important event deserves the fullness of celebration. We can show the world our commitment to faith by savoring the 12 days of Christmas with the joy the birth of our savior engenders.
An approach I've used for the past few years is to respond to anyone who wishes me, "happy holidays," with "Oh, which holiday is that?" I've gotten some interesting responses and not one of them has been negative! Just today I offered a hearty 'Merry Christmas" to the clerks at both my local grocery and local pharmacy and was rewarded with broad, beaming smiles and looks that seemed almost gratified, as if my comment released them to celebrate Christmas too! It's OK to say Christmas - it's our society also! Growing up in Western Pennsylvania my childhood memories were filled with the sights and sounds of "Christmas" everywhere while the expression "happy holidays" was definitely a distant second. Let's be bold and say with joy and passion -"Merry Christmas" to all!
Perhaps we could all benefit from a re-commitment to the spiritual richness that Advent can provide. I know I certainly could! Advent allows us, if we cooperate, to focus more intently on prayerful reflection. This is an opportunity to tune out the commercials and tune into God's word. As we sit on the cusp of the beautiful celebrations of Christmas eve and Christmas day, our appreciation for these wonderful events can only be deepened by a few more moments each day spent in preparing our hearts and minds and far fewer hours spent whirling around the overcrowded shopping centers.
An adage from old still applies today - maybe even moreso. This was apparently advice given to newlyweds but is wisdom for all of us - " Live simply, serve generously, care deeply and speak kindly."
Now, another curiosity bordering on peeve is this -a after all of the time spent in anticipating Christmas - my first Christmas catalogs seem to arrive in the Labor Day weekend mail! - many people get to December 26 and then - whoosh! Christmas is forgotten. I'm amused when I see folks in my town out there on December 26 pulling down all of their decorations! Christmas is a season! Such an important event deserves the fullness of celebration. We can show the world our commitment to faith by savoring the 12 days of Christmas with the joy the birth of our savior engenders.
An approach I've used for the past few years is to respond to anyone who wishes me, "happy holidays," with "Oh, which holiday is that?" I've gotten some interesting responses and not one of them has been negative! Just today I offered a hearty 'Merry Christmas" to the clerks at both my local grocery and local pharmacy and was rewarded with broad, beaming smiles and looks that seemed almost gratified, as if my comment released them to celebrate Christmas too! It's OK to say Christmas - it's our society also! Growing up in Western Pennsylvania my childhood memories were filled with the sights and sounds of "Christmas" everywhere while the expression "happy holidays" was definitely a distant second. Let's be bold and say with joy and passion -"Merry Christmas" to all!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Giving Feels Good
One of my priest friends likes to use the term, "give until it feels good." When I first heard this from him, I was less than fully supportive, I must say. The fund raiser in me worried that perhaps such an approach would enable people to make token gifts that would fall short of what would be necessary for full success. It struck me initially as a 'feel good" bromide rather than a prescription for campaign success.
However, as that particular campaign unfolded, it became clear that the words did resonate with many people. Certainly, any non-profit needs to propose giving levels to prospects so that mutual understanding of needs and goals is established and maintained. Given that, though, I was pleasantly surprised by how often that simple term, 'give until it feels good," kept coming up in conversations with both donors and volunteers.
Upon reflection I realized that my initial impressions failed to account for what we've long long known is the most important stimulant to making a donation - EMOTION! Giving is fundamentally an emotional action. A gift may, and in fact should, have an analytical and practical component, but we lead with the heart.
I think this has special relevance for us today given our economic circumstances. The pressures of our 401ks and our stock market portfolios has perhaps blinded us to the fact that our forebears who built magnificent churches and schools didn't worry about either one because they didn't have them in the first place, in most cases. Lest we forget, the lifespan of our ancestors was considerably shorter and most of them wouldn't see much time in retirement. Yet they gave money for causes larger than themselves.
A good friend of mine related a story to me a few years back and it was so compelling to me that I shared it with her fellow parishioners in a campaign in Connecticut. She was an early and eager donor to our campaign despite facing some economic challenges in her own life. She was happy to give generously, however, and told me she felt it was a privilege to do so! She explained that as a small child , she would often go to church with her grandmother. Her grandmother was a woman of very modest means, but even in those years always gave my friend a five dollar bill to toss in the collection basket each week at Mass. That young child grew into an adult with an appreciation for how important such stewardship was but also for how good it made her feel to share from her substance. Obviously, both she and her grandmother could have found other uses for the five bucks - they weren't awash in material goods - but making the sacrifice felt good.
I've been with the Cunneen Company raising money for over ten years and I have worked with over 2,800 volunteers in that time. I've not once ever had a donor say to me that they've regretted making a gift nor has one ever reported hearing such a sentiment from one of the people from whom they've sought a gift. No, giving is its own reward - in good times and bad.
So, rather than anguishing over our situation, let's remember the good advice offered in the book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus if you are using the Douay -Rheims translation) in chapter 30, verses 21-24 - "Do not give in to sadness, torment not yourself with brooding; gladness of heart is the very life of a man, cheerfulness prolongs his days. Distract yourself, renew your courage, drive resentment far away from you; for worry has brought death to many, nor is there aught to be gained from resentment. Envy and anger shorten one's life, worry brings about premature old age."
However, as that particular campaign unfolded, it became clear that the words did resonate with many people. Certainly, any non-profit needs to propose giving levels to prospects so that mutual understanding of needs and goals is established and maintained. Given that, though, I was pleasantly surprised by how often that simple term, 'give until it feels good," kept coming up in conversations with both donors and volunteers.
Upon reflection I realized that my initial impressions failed to account for what we've long long known is the most important stimulant to making a donation - EMOTION! Giving is fundamentally an emotional action. A gift may, and in fact should, have an analytical and practical component, but we lead with the heart.
I think this has special relevance for us today given our economic circumstances. The pressures of our 401ks and our stock market portfolios has perhaps blinded us to the fact that our forebears who built magnificent churches and schools didn't worry about either one because they didn't have them in the first place, in most cases. Lest we forget, the lifespan of our ancestors was considerably shorter and most of them wouldn't see much time in retirement. Yet they gave money for causes larger than themselves.
A good friend of mine related a story to me a few years back and it was so compelling to me that I shared it with her fellow parishioners in a campaign in Connecticut. She was an early and eager donor to our campaign despite facing some economic challenges in her own life. She was happy to give generously, however, and told me she felt it was a privilege to do so! She explained that as a small child , she would often go to church with her grandmother. Her grandmother was a woman of very modest means, but even in those years always gave my friend a five dollar bill to toss in the collection basket each week at Mass. That young child grew into an adult with an appreciation for how important such stewardship was but also for how good it made her feel to share from her substance. Obviously, both she and her grandmother could have found other uses for the five bucks - they weren't awash in material goods - but making the sacrifice felt good.
I've been with the Cunneen Company raising money for over ten years and I have worked with over 2,800 volunteers in that time. I've not once ever had a donor say to me that they've regretted making a gift nor has one ever reported hearing such a sentiment from one of the people from whom they've sought a gift. No, giving is its own reward - in good times and bad.
So, rather than anguishing over our situation, let's remember the good advice offered in the book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus if you are using the Douay -Rheims translation) in chapter 30, verses 21-24 - "Do not give in to sadness, torment not yourself with brooding; gladness of heart is the very life of a man, cheerfulness prolongs his days. Distract yourself, renew your courage, drive resentment far away from you; for worry has brought death to many, nor is there aught to be gained from resentment. Envy and anger shorten one's life, worry brings about premature old age."
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Fighting fear with faith
Well, here we are in October and in some parts of the US leaves are already falling! Also falling, it seems, is much of our confidence in our current situation. The economic tribulations of recent times have produced headaches and headlines and have absolutely shaken the optimism that one normally finds among us. (I'm unable to resist inserting here the insightful apercu of Father George Rutler who said that optimism is the pagan substitute for the Christian principle of hope!)
It would be insensitive at best, and Nero-like at worst, to pretend that we are not facing turbulent financial waters for our society, our governments, our businesses and ourselves.
However, it is not improper to point out that much of our concern is exacerbated by hype. I was amused to see TV coverage of a "crisis" that seemed to imply that no one anywhere could get a loan for anything. Fortunately, that is not the case - I personally know several people - friends and family - who have just secured home equity loans and car loans in the past couple of weeks. The 24 hour media cycle virtually demands the infusion of more drama so that individual entities can stand out from the onrush of the "white noise" out there, so we all need to sprinkle a liberal dose of Morton's favorite product into our media meals here.
Times like this require sober analysis rather than hysterical reaction. While my chemistry grades in school were less than stellar, I propose a formula to assist us in understanding our dilemma. This is : Pride + Greed = Fear
Now I know in speaking to some pastors and committees that there is a sense of trepidation out there and a desire in some quarters to just place everything on hold and not try to raise any money. I would greatly encourage you to check out the blog of my boss and friend, John Cunneen, who has published a list of reasons why institutions should move forward now in addressing their needs for stewardship. Our firm has crafted this analysis to help clear the smoke from the eyes, so to speak, so that we can proceed to address our needs in a reasonable way. Good stuff indeed.
My aim, here, by contrast, is to examine our scenario from another perspective, so I want to go back to my "equation." C.S. Lewis, I believe, has said that all sin ultimately begins with pride. Our pride, our sense that rules don't apply to us, or that limits are for others, for instance, enables us to delude ourselves that we can take or get for ourselves what we want. To complicate the situation, we add in the next deadly sin - greed.
Greed is defined as "a selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed." That can certainly be a defining characteristic of our society today. We have taken our blessings for granted and have substituted greed for gratitude in many cases. Ergo, we plant the seeds of our own demise. Think about it. I remember thinking, as a young Army officer stationed in West Germany during the Cold War, that if I could just purchase that new silver Volvo GLE that I would quench my thirst for a fine automobile. Buying that car - and it was a fine set of wheels by any standard - did not satiate my desire, however, it only stoked it.
This materialistic impulse has many causes and ramifications -too many to consider here. (Hilaire Belloc, the profound and prolific historian and author, felt that our materialistic streak was a reaction to the rise of Communism; a very compelling insight, in my view) But suffice to say that the potent combination of these twin terrors -pride and greed - has produced the inevitable by-product, our fear.
Yes, much of the economic climate's cloudy condition is blamed on the wild excesses of Wall Street. I have no qualm with that diagnosis nor much sympathy for the perpetrators whose greed and arrogance are well-documented. Yet, we are the willing participants in this cauldron of chaos. It's us - the folks who signed on for mortgages we knew couldn't afford, invested in creative financial vehicles with dubious foundations and generally just gorged like gluttons at the table of plenty that we have been blessed with in our land.
Cures are often distasteful, but they are prescribed because they ultimately will be of greater and more lasting benefit than the short-term discomfort. Perhaps this is our medicine. We can learn from our binge that this is not an aberration but an unavoidable condition that we'll experience whenever our greed and pride run rampant over our good judgment and humility.
It is in times of distress that churches need more of our help, not less. This is because the material, emotional and spiritual support they provide us all will be needed all the more. I would humbly suggest that we think less about the economy's impact on our trips to the mall and a bit more on how fewer trips to that mall might enable us to discover a better use for our dollars. I promise to do such thinking myself! We've all heard the adage about the lighting a candle rather than cursing the darkness. It might also behoove us to reflect upon Saint Paul's admonition in his letter to the Galatians (6:2-3): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, deceives himself."
We must lose the prideful sense that we are the sole determinants of our own destiny. We profess our faith with the understanding that we participate with Our Lord on our journey to salvation. We are called to believe the tenets of our religion both in season and out, so our call to be good stewards does not have an exemption clause when our 401k balance takes a tumble. Perhaps we have been a little too smug in believing that because of our "advanced civilization" that we are immune from the vagaries of the market and of life and that our wealth will just increase unceasingly. Our forebears understood some things we are loath to accept - among them that thrift is a virtue, consumption is not always virtuous and that sometimes life will deliver events that are unplanned and unpalatable. G.K. Chesterton referred to modern man as practicing the tyranny of the living -in that we feel superior to our ancestors just because we're alive now and that what they thought "back then" doesn't matter anymore.
I want to close this reflection with a call to faith from the prophet Jeremiah (9:23-24) "Thus says the Lord, 'let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches, but let him who glories glory in this, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.'"
Quote of the posting: "Our fears do make us traitors."
Shakespeare (Hamlet)
It would be insensitive at best, and Nero-like at worst, to pretend that we are not facing turbulent financial waters for our society, our governments, our businesses and ourselves.
However, it is not improper to point out that much of our concern is exacerbated by hype. I was amused to see TV coverage of a "crisis" that seemed to imply that no one anywhere could get a loan for anything. Fortunately, that is not the case - I personally know several people - friends and family - who have just secured home equity loans and car loans in the past couple of weeks. The 24 hour media cycle virtually demands the infusion of more drama so that individual entities can stand out from the onrush of the "white noise" out there, so we all need to sprinkle a liberal dose of Morton's favorite product into our media meals here.
Times like this require sober analysis rather than hysterical reaction. While my chemistry grades in school were less than stellar, I propose a formula to assist us in understanding our dilemma. This is : Pride + Greed = Fear
Now I know in speaking to some pastors and committees that there is a sense of trepidation out there and a desire in some quarters to just place everything on hold and not try to raise any money. I would greatly encourage you to check out the blog of my boss and friend, John Cunneen, who has published a list of reasons why institutions should move forward now in addressing their needs for stewardship. Our firm has crafted this analysis to help clear the smoke from the eyes, so to speak, so that we can proceed to address our needs in a reasonable way. Good stuff indeed.
My aim, here, by contrast, is to examine our scenario from another perspective, so I want to go back to my "equation." C.S. Lewis, I believe, has said that all sin ultimately begins with pride. Our pride, our sense that rules don't apply to us, or that limits are for others, for instance, enables us to delude ourselves that we can take or get for ourselves what we want. To complicate the situation, we add in the next deadly sin - greed.
Greed is defined as "a selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed." That can certainly be a defining characteristic of our society today. We have taken our blessings for granted and have substituted greed for gratitude in many cases. Ergo, we plant the seeds of our own demise. Think about it. I remember thinking, as a young Army officer stationed in West Germany during the Cold War, that if I could just purchase that new silver Volvo GLE that I would quench my thirst for a fine automobile. Buying that car - and it was a fine set of wheels by any standard - did not satiate my desire, however, it only stoked it.
This materialistic impulse has many causes and ramifications -too many to consider here. (Hilaire Belloc, the profound and prolific historian and author, felt that our materialistic streak was a reaction to the rise of Communism; a very compelling insight, in my view) But suffice to say that the potent combination of these twin terrors -pride and greed - has produced the inevitable by-product, our fear.
Yes, much of the economic climate's cloudy condition is blamed on the wild excesses of Wall Street. I have no qualm with that diagnosis nor much sympathy for the perpetrators whose greed and arrogance are well-documented. Yet, we are the willing participants in this cauldron of chaos. It's us - the folks who signed on for mortgages we knew couldn't afford, invested in creative financial vehicles with dubious foundations and generally just gorged like gluttons at the table of plenty that we have been blessed with in our land.
Cures are often distasteful, but they are prescribed because they ultimately will be of greater and more lasting benefit than the short-term discomfort. Perhaps this is our medicine. We can learn from our binge that this is not an aberration but an unavoidable condition that we'll experience whenever our greed and pride run rampant over our good judgment and humility.
It is in times of distress that churches need more of our help, not less. This is because the material, emotional and spiritual support they provide us all will be needed all the more. I would humbly suggest that we think less about the economy's impact on our trips to the mall and a bit more on how fewer trips to that mall might enable us to discover a better use for our dollars. I promise to do such thinking myself! We've all heard the adage about the lighting a candle rather than cursing the darkness. It might also behoove us to reflect upon Saint Paul's admonition in his letter to the Galatians (6:2-3): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, deceives himself."
We must lose the prideful sense that we are the sole determinants of our own destiny. We profess our faith with the understanding that we participate with Our Lord on our journey to salvation. We are called to believe the tenets of our religion both in season and out, so our call to be good stewards does not have an exemption clause when our 401k balance takes a tumble. Perhaps we have been a little too smug in believing that because of our "advanced civilization" that we are immune from the vagaries of the market and of life and that our wealth will just increase unceasingly. Our forebears understood some things we are loath to accept - among them that thrift is a virtue, consumption is not always virtuous and that sometimes life will deliver events that are unplanned and unpalatable. G.K. Chesterton referred to modern man as practicing the tyranny of the living -in that we feel superior to our ancestors just because we're alive now and that what they thought "back then" doesn't matter anymore.
I want to close this reflection with a call to faith from the prophet Jeremiah (9:23-24) "Thus says the Lord, 'let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches, but let him who glories glory in this, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.'"
Quote of the posting: "Our fears do make us traitors."
Shakespeare (Hamlet)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Autumn, anxiety and answering machines
Just returned the other day from a splendid ride across the extreme northern tier of New York back to my home. The ride, while a very long one, was simply lovely. The weather was warm, not hot, the atmosphere dry, not humid, the breeze refreshing but not annoying. However the best part of it was getting the first glimpse of autumnal splendor - a tall, robust tree full of leaves splashed with dashes of brown, gold, orange, yellow and red. (Because I am officially designated as an arboreal ignoramus, I can't tell you what KIND of tree it was!)
What struck me at the same time was the sight of a woman standing alongside that roadside tree, peering into a buggy that was drawn by a single horse. For once I was happy to get a red light, because it allowed me to observe this for a moment. The woman appeared to be about 60 years of age, and seemed to be en route to the village up ahead. I noticed that there was no one else in the buggy so she must have been checking on the items inside. She looked like she had not a care in the world - but instead wore a slight smile as she turned and cast her eyes toward the tree just described.
Now I know I'm always harping on my volunteers to never make assumptions, but here I'm going to make one. I've never examined one of these buggies closely, but I'm going out on a limb to say it probably lacked heated seats, a cellular phone, electronic stability control, a CD/cassette stereo and satellite radio - all items I've convinced myself I couldn't do without. Yet as I pulled out upon the light turning green I realized that we both had just experienced the simple delight of God's creation. I didn't enjoy the colors of that tree any more than this lady did despite our driving vastly different vehicles. While my earlier thoughts had been about the calls I needed to make from the car and the traffic I was likely to encounter en route , etc, in that moment I was reminded of Psalm 118:24 - "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." So, let's not unduly fret about the economy, the world, the anxieties of the moment; let's make an effort instead to savor the authentic joy that God provides for us each day if we'll only stop to consider it.
I realize following up such noble sentiments with a brief piece about answering machines might seem obtuse or even heretical, but I wanted to share this with you.
Every volunteer recently has commented upon the frustration of getting recorded messages instead of people; I share that myself, as it can be frustrating to the extreme. Now we all understand why so many people are screening calls. We're all inundated with telemarketing pitches and if you live in a political "battleground state" like I do here in Ohio, the election season has added to this regular onslaught with an absolute torrent of political outreaches featuring every imaginable candidate and technique for getting our money and our vote.
However, one enterprising volunteer has had some good success recently with a simple but sound strategy. Once he's gotten several answering machines over various times and days, he leaves a message that says he has the campaign packet for the family in question and that he will have it with him on this coming weekend. He knows or finds out which Mass these folks normally attend and indicates to the family that he'll be at the Mass also and would they be kind enough to look for him so he could spend a few moments with them discussing their packet. He's had this work for him!
A couple of points needs to be made. First, it helps that he has chosen people that he knows so that he both understands their church attendance habits and also that he recognizes them. Secondly, like any strategy it isn't a guarantee -people can vary their habits or be away on that weekend, but it has proven to be effective in many situations. It's assertively pro-active, while retaining the important qualities of the personal touch and a low-key approach. Worth a try if you are experiencing the "agony of the answering machine!"
Quote of the posting:
"The ideal never comes. Today is ideal for him who makes it so."
Horatio W. Dresser
What struck me at the same time was the sight of a woman standing alongside that roadside tree, peering into a buggy that was drawn by a single horse. For once I was happy to get a red light, because it allowed me to observe this for a moment. The woman appeared to be about 60 years of age, and seemed to be en route to the village up ahead. I noticed that there was no one else in the buggy so she must have been checking on the items inside. She looked like she had not a care in the world - but instead wore a slight smile as she turned and cast her eyes toward the tree just described.
Now I know I'm always harping on my volunteers to never make assumptions, but here I'm going to make one. I've never examined one of these buggies closely, but I'm going out on a limb to say it probably lacked heated seats, a cellular phone, electronic stability control, a CD/cassette stereo and satellite radio - all items I've convinced myself I couldn't do without. Yet as I pulled out upon the light turning green I realized that we both had just experienced the simple delight of God's creation. I didn't enjoy the colors of that tree any more than this lady did despite our driving vastly different vehicles. While my earlier thoughts had been about the calls I needed to make from the car and the traffic I was likely to encounter en route , etc, in that moment I was reminded of Psalm 118:24 - "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." So, let's not unduly fret about the economy, the world, the anxieties of the moment; let's make an effort instead to savor the authentic joy that God provides for us each day if we'll only stop to consider it.
I realize following up such noble sentiments with a brief piece about answering machines might seem obtuse or even heretical, but I wanted to share this with you.
Every volunteer recently has commented upon the frustration of getting recorded messages instead of people; I share that myself, as it can be frustrating to the extreme. Now we all understand why so many people are screening calls. We're all inundated with telemarketing pitches and if you live in a political "battleground state" like I do here in Ohio, the election season has added to this regular onslaught with an absolute torrent of political outreaches featuring every imaginable candidate and technique for getting our money and our vote.
However, one enterprising volunteer has had some good success recently with a simple but sound strategy. Once he's gotten several answering machines over various times and days, he leaves a message that says he has the campaign packet for the family in question and that he will have it with him on this coming weekend. He knows or finds out which Mass these folks normally attend and indicates to the family that he'll be at the Mass also and would they be kind enough to look for him so he could spend a few moments with them discussing their packet. He's had this work for him!
A couple of points needs to be made. First, it helps that he has chosen people that he knows so that he both understands their church attendance habits and also that he recognizes them. Secondly, like any strategy it isn't a guarantee -people can vary their habits or be away on that weekend, but it has proven to be effective in many situations. It's assertively pro-active, while retaining the important qualities of the personal touch and a low-key approach. Worth a try if you are experiencing the "agony of the answering machine!"
Quote of the posting:
"The ideal never comes. Today is ideal for him who makes it so."
Horatio W. Dresser
Monday, September 8, 2008
An Attitude of Gratitude
Ok, here's a challenge for today. In your casual conversations, ask someone if they have ever been thanked too much. Seriously. I'm sure you'll get a few strange looks -as if maybe you're succumbing to the pressures of a hectic Monday! The very thought of receiving too much appreciation for something you've done or given is mind-boggling.
I'm convinced, that in our me-first culture, there is too much focus upon what we want, what we don't have and how we'll get it. Perhaps in the haze of our hankerings we've lost the appreciation for what we've already been blessed to have.
This focus on gratitude has two compelling elements for me. First, we should express our thanks for all that we have. Yes, this can include our tangible goods - our houses and possessions - but it needs to include less perishable blessings such as the love from our family and friends and the faith that has been taught to us and entrusted to us. As an example, when is the last time we expressed our appreciation to our pastor for his work on our behalf? Maybe we've taken our priests for granted. We'll sure want them to be there - at their best -when we need them!
The second element of gratitude is more directly related to the business of fund raising and stewardship. An often overlooked, but important, step when we approach a donor prospect is expressing our thanks for what they have already provided. Most solicitations are made to folks who have given to us in the past. It is an understandable omission, in a sense, because we're so focused on the now - on the need for more. But good stewardship is also taking time to thank those who've gotten us where we are today. Solicitations beginning with prayer and then an expression of gratitude are not guaranteed to be successful, but they are guaranteed to be appropriate and authentically Christian.
"I will remember the tender mercies of the Lord, the praise of the Lord for all the things that the Lord hath bestowed upon us and for the multitude of his good things to the house of Israel, which he hath given them according to his kindness and according to the multitude of his mercies."
Isaiah 63:7
I'm convinced, that in our me-first culture, there is too much focus upon what we want, what we don't have and how we'll get it. Perhaps in the haze of our hankerings we've lost the appreciation for what we've already been blessed to have.
This focus on gratitude has two compelling elements for me. First, we should express our thanks for all that we have. Yes, this can include our tangible goods - our houses and possessions - but it needs to include less perishable blessings such as the love from our family and friends and the faith that has been taught to us and entrusted to us. As an example, when is the last time we expressed our appreciation to our pastor for his work on our behalf? Maybe we've taken our priests for granted. We'll sure want them to be there - at their best -when we need them!
The second element of gratitude is more directly related to the business of fund raising and stewardship. An often overlooked, but important, step when we approach a donor prospect is expressing our thanks for what they have already provided. Most solicitations are made to folks who have given to us in the past. It is an understandable omission, in a sense, because we're so focused on the now - on the need for more. But good stewardship is also taking time to thank those who've gotten us where we are today. Solicitations beginning with prayer and then an expression of gratitude are not guaranteed to be successful, but they are guaranteed to be appropriate and authentically Christian.
"I will remember the tender mercies of the Lord, the praise of the Lord for all the things that the Lord hath bestowed upon us and for the multitude of his good things to the house of Israel, which he hath given them according to his kindness and according to the multitude of his mercies."
Isaiah 63:7
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Dipping into the Countercultural Pool
For those of us who are of a certain age -for instance, if you remember watching "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" episodes when they ran originally on TV - then the word "countercultural" may conjure in your mind certain discomfiting images: hippies puffing on illegal drugs, waves of students burning draft cards and folk musicians wailing against just about everything including the cars that hauled them to Woodstock.
However, if we want to subscribe to Christian principles, we must cultivate our own countercultural inclinations, albeit ones that are not immediately so visible as those mentioned above. Many of the beliefs we hold dear to authentic Christianity are not always in favor in the wider culture, so we must act courageously when the prevailing wisdom would lead us to betray these principles.
Whenever I discuss giving money in front of any group, I can reliably count on at least one person to quickly interject that "stewardship is more than money! It's about giving your time and volunteering!" My response is always to acknowledge that, of course, stewardship is far more than dollars and cents; it includes elements of time, talent and treasure for sure. We should all strive to do as much as we can in all of these important areas. Unfortunately, my sense is that folks who mention this are often less concerned with volunteering, and more concerned with lowering expectations of their own gift!
Cynical? Perhaps, but I don't mention this to heap opprobrium on those who say such things it, but instead to highlight how deeply our culture has ingrained a certain selfishness in all of us. When we speak about Christian principles of stewardship we talk of its two components:
1. Giving in proportion to our blessings
2. Giving from our substance, not our excess.
It's this second component that I feel is the more difficult in today's world. I once stood alongside a pastor who had spotted one of his parishioners to whom he'd extended an invitation to a capital campaign meeting. This gentleman begged off the invitation citing a well-worn laundry list of excuses - increasing business pressures, familiar obligations, credit card debt, etc. Reverend Father, moved by his dilemma, asked the gentleman to come to the meeting anyway so that he could hear about the plan, share in the fellowship and partake in the hors d'oeuvres. The man replied, completely missing the irony, that he could not attend, because he was flying along with his wife for a two-week vacation to Las Vegas!
We are bombarded with inducements to spend our money and satisfy our whims. The virtue of the very device that allows you to peruse this blog -the internet - has the counterbalancing vice of permitting us to virtually eliminate the very concept of delayed gratification. We see it or hear it, we jump to a website and then a couple clicks later this latest object of our desire is en route to our mailbox. ( I am susceptible to this in the extreme. If an author, in a book, newspaper or magazine article I'm reading happens to favorably mention another book, I've been known to leap, in mid-sentence, over to the computer to arrange for Amazon to speed that tome to East Palestine as quickly as I can!)
Giving money has true meaning when it requires our sacrifice. Sacrificial giving is not equal giving but it is equal sacrifice. I'm touched when I recall one donor who mentioned to me once that she had decided to drive the car another 50,000 miles instead of trading it in order to make a more meaningful gift. That's impressive - and that's an example of giving from substance. If I don't miss what I'm giving away, then I'm practicing something other than authentic stewardship. Maybe I'm practicing a certain tokenism - making an effort to be a "giver" rather than a steward. This kind of giver wants to be among the "good people" who support important causes, but perhaps as much to assuage guilt as to take ownership in something larger than himself.
If we restrict our giving to the dollars we have left in our pockets after our whims are satisfied, then we're on the ship to nowhere. I know I can't pass a car dealer or a bookstore without fighting the urge to splurge, so I certainly don't exempt myself from this need to be assertively countercultural.
I know this might sound good; it might seem to make sense. But as I always tell me volunteers, we operate in the real world, not the one we wished existed. Are we willing, as the woman with the car above was, to drive a less impressive vehicle when our friends and neighbors are rolling around in shiny new rides? Can we live with having our friends, co-workers and neighbors think us "less successful" because we don't display our wealth in the latest fashions, the designer furniture, the exotic vacations?
Think back to the churches and schools we attended growing up. These were largely built and sustained by people with far fewer resources than we have today. Our parents, grandparents and their parents built some magnificent churches on immigrant job wages. How did they build these magnificent churches that we could only dream of building today?
They did it because their faith was a more important component of their lives than ours is to us today. They practiced stewardship. As we all know, practice makes perfect.
Quote of the posting:
"Angels can fly, because they take themselves lightly."
G.K. Chesterton
However, if we want to subscribe to Christian principles, we must cultivate our own countercultural inclinations, albeit ones that are not immediately so visible as those mentioned above. Many of the beliefs we hold dear to authentic Christianity are not always in favor in the wider culture, so we must act courageously when the prevailing wisdom would lead us to betray these principles.
Whenever I discuss giving money in front of any group, I can reliably count on at least one person to quickly interject that "stewardship is more than money! It's about giving your time and volunteering!" My response is always to acknowledge that, of course, stewardship is far more than dollars and cents; it includes elements of time, talent and treasure for sure. We should all strive to do as much as we can in all of these important areas. Unfortunately, my sense is that folks who mention this are often less concerned with volunteering, and more concerned with lowering expectations of their own gift!
Cynical? Perhaps, but I don't mention this to heap opprobrium on those who say such things it, but instead to highlight how deeply our culture has ingrained a certain selfishness in all of us. When we speak about Christian principles of stewardship we talk of its two components:
1. Giving in proportion to our blessings
2. Giving from our substance, not our excess.
It's this second component that I feel is the more difficult in today's world. I once stood alongside a pastor who had spotted one of his parishioners to whom he'd extended an invitation to a capital campaign meeting. This gentleman begged off the invitation citing a well-worn laundry list of excuses - increasing business pressures, familiar obligations, credit card debt, etc. Reverend Father, moved by his dilemma, asked the gentleman to come to the meeting anyway so that he could hear about the plan, share in the fellowship and partake in the hors d'oeuvres. The man replied, completely missing the irony, that he could not attend, because he was flying along with his wife for a two-week vacation to Las Vegas!
We are bombarded with inducements to spend our money and satisfy our whims. The virtue of the very device that allows you to peruse this blog -the internet - has the counterbalancing vice of permitting us to virtually eliminate the very concept of delayed gratification. We see it or hear it, we jump to a website and then a couple clicks later this latest object of our desire is en route to our mailbox. ( I am susceptible to this in the extreme. If an author, in a book, newspaper or magazine article I'm reading happens to favorably mention another book, I've been known to leap, in mid-sentence, over to the computer to arrange for Amazon to speed that tome to East Palestine as quickly as I can!)
Giving money has true meaning when it requires our sacrifice. Sacrificial giving is not equal giving but it is equal sacrifice. I'm touched when I recall one donor who mentioned to me once that she had decided to drive the car another 50,000 miles instead of trading it in order to make a more meaningful gift. That's impressive - and that's an example of giving from substance. If I don't miss what I'm giving away, then I'm practicing something other than authentic stewardship. Maybe I'm practicing a certain tokenism - making an effort to be a "giver" rather than a steward. This kind of giver wants to be among the "good people" who support important causes, but perhaps as much to assuage guilt as to take ownership in something larger than himself.
If we restrict our giving to the dollars we have left in our pockets after our whims are satisfied, then we're on the ship to nowhere. I know I can't pass a car dealer or a bookstore without fighting the urge to splurge, so I certainly don't exempt myself from this need to be assertively countercultural.
I know this might sound good; it might seem to make sense. But as I always tell me volunteers, we operate in the real world, not the one we wished existed. Are we willing, as the woman with the car above was, to drive a less impressive vehicle when our friends and neighbors are rolling around in shiny new rides? Can we live with having our friends, co-workers and neighbors think us "less successful" because we don't display our wealth in the latest fashions, the designer furniture, the exotic vacations?
Think back to the churches and schools we attended growing up. These were largely built and sustained by people with far fewer resources than we have today. Our parents, grandparents and their parents built some magnificent churches on immigrant job wages. How did they build these magnificent churches that we could only dream of building today?
They did it because their faith was a more important component of their lives than ours is to us today. They practiced stewardship. As we all know, practice makes perfect.
Quote of the posting:
"Angels can fly, because they take themselves lightly."
G.K. Chesterton
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