Meditate on God's Word

The Light of Stewardship

St. Teresa of Avila is famously quoted for saying, “from sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us.” She believes that Christians who are on fire for their faith shouldn’t be downcast but instead be joyful stewards of Christ. In today’s Gospel, Jesus says “let your light shine before human beings so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” (Matt 5:16).

Jesus challenges us to let our light shine brightly. We must not be stewards with gloomy and sour faces, but ones that shine with the peace and joy of knowing we are beloved children of God. Pope Francis says that “we need smiling Christians, not because they take things lightly, but because they are filled with the joy of God, because they believe in love and live to serve.”

When people see us, they should be able to see the love and joy that emanates not from us, but from God dwelling within us. As stewards, we should fight the temptation to become complacent
or robotic in our good works, doing them as if we’re on autopilot. Instead, we should strive to be intentionally joyful and light-hearted as we serve Christ and His Church. Let us ask ourselves
today, does our demeanour as stewards showcase the reality of God’s transforming love to others? Does our light truly shine forth as a witness to the world?

Summary

We must not be stewards with gloomy and sour faces, but ones that shine with the peace and joy of knowing we are beloved children of God. Pope Francis says that “we need smiling Christians, not because they take things lightly, but because they are filled with the joy of God, because they believe in love and live to serve.” Let us ask ourselves today, does our demeanour as stewards showcase the reality of God’s transforming love to others and welcome them into the parish in a spirit of true hospitality?