Imagine Jesus asking you: prepare a full account of your stewardship (Cf. Luke 16:2). What would appear on your “spreadsheet”? What would you say? Well, if you are like me, you might ask, what do you mean by the word “stewardship”? And of what?

Let me further ask: what has been entrusted to you — to lead, manage, care for? You might say, “Well, I still have children at home — or grandchildren I care for.” “I lead, manage, or supervise at work.” “I’m chair of one of our parish committees.” “I play a lead role in one of our community or neighborhood volunteer groups.” “I care for an aging parent.” “I’m a public servant.” “I care for or manage (fill in the blank).” Or I might say, like millions of other people of faith and goodwill around the globe, “I/we care for our common home, Mother Earth.”

Three decades ago, I was inspired by Peter Block, who wrote a book entitled Stewardship: Choosing Service Over Self-Interest. The book was written for business, civic, and political leaders — really any kind of leader or caretaker. He talked about a kind of stewardship based on selfless love, building community, looking out for the least among us, service over self-interest, mentoring the next generation, and always doing the right thing. These ideas are connected with another set of values important to me, inspired by the Jesus of the Gospels.

At each Mass, we are invited to eat the body of Christ given up for us, drink his blood, and shed for us. Then we are asked to do this in my memory. In other words, be willing to be bread broken, and wine poured out for those with whom you have been entrusted.

Let Us Pray:

Creator God, the universe sings of your glory. Deepen our gratitude for all you have made and awaken in us a renewed commitment to care for the earth and each other. (From a “Season of Creation” prayer)