You Are Not Insignificant

Can you imagine inviting someone for supper for 50 years and that person never takes you seriously? God never gives up on you anyway. ~ paraphrase from the homily today by Archbishop James Weisberger

This morning was the end of the Western Canadian Stewardship Conference. Archbishop James Weisgerber presided over the closing mass at the Cathedral while Bishop Albert Thevenot gave the closing keynote address. Both men had powerful comments about stewardship to encourage and challenge us.

Weisgerber asked the difficult question of if we are truly a member of a church and yet have no time for God, then where are our priorities? Some will say, I have nothing to offer while others ask, Who needs me?. Both are a betrayal of who we are as children of the God who has filled us with gifts to be used for other people. All gifts are important—nobody’s gift is insignificant. If we only understood this, then what potential and possibilities there would be!

Weisgerber asked the powerful question above and it made me think of yesterday’s statement by the Ukrainian Archbishop who said if you are not changed by the end of the Eucharist, then what is the point? Weisgerber assures us that God remains with us, even if we take and eat but are not yet transformed. God will wait until we comprehend the mission.

Thevenot jokingly accused Weisgerber of stealing his homily. He too insisted that each person had a gift inside of them—and took it a step further, by saying that gift was for another person. He asked us to seek out the other in order to reveal the gift and to find our own gifts in those around us.

When God asks us where the gift is that was given, will we have to rummage through our closets and dust it off or will we be able to easily account for it? Gifts are meant to be shared and appreciated. Gifts are given to make someone happy and to bring life to the receiver. Gifts should evoke a sense of gratitude.

On a scale of 1-10, how much are you sharing your God-given gifts?

Peace,

Suzanne