Grateful Giving

When a church starts talking about giving, there is a tendency to tune out because, first of all, you expect the talk to be about giving more money, and secondly, your wallet is empty! It’s an unhappy reality that many parishes have to beg their parishioners for the funds needed to keep a parish afloat, and that, in addition, we are asked to financially support the Archdiocese and other worthy causes as well. But the truth is that “treasure” is only one-third of the concept of stewardship, and Risen Savior is embarking on a mission emphasizing the grateful giving of your time and talent.

We can’t really talk about time and talent without talking about the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. These are actions and practices expected of faithful Catholics. Though the list of the works was formalized later – at least by the time of St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century – the importance of performing these duties was emphasized from the earliest days of the Church. They do, in fact, stem from living according to Christ’s declaration of the two highest commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind… (and) You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-40) Fulfilling both the spiritual and corporal works of mercy fits hand in hand with loving God and your neighbor.

What are these Works of Mercy? There are fourteen of them, beginning with the seven corporal works, which relate to the needs of the body: Feed the Hungry; Give Drink to the Thirsty; Clothe the Naked; Visit the Imprisoned; Shelter the Homeless; Visit the Sick; and Bury the Dead. There are also seven spiritual works, those actions that feed the soul: Counsel the Doubtful; Instruct the Ignorant; Admonish Sinners; Comfort the Afflicted; Forgive Offenses; Bear Wrongs Patiently; and Pray for the Living and the Dead.

As Lent approaches, instead of “giving up” something, we are being asked, in a spirit of grateful giving, to DO something, something that conforms to one of those works of mercy. For example, instead of giving up chocolate, you could pray daily for those who are suffering with cancer, or visit the lonely in nursing homes. Instead of giving up television, you could take some time to figure out what your gifts are and then find a church ministry that would appreciate your time and talent.

Grateful giving is not just about being a good steward of our money. It is about being a good steward of everything God has given us, including time and talent, and giving back to Him in gratitude.