Last week I heard a priest describing the different names of love used in ancient Greece. The Greeks had 8 or 9 different terms for love. He mentioned that our culture has lost sight of Christian love by only having one term. The word used in the Bible for Christian love is AGAPE. He went on to define agape as sacrificial love, a love so strong you are willing to sacrifice for another. This is the love that Christ teaches us. Christ sacrificed his own life for us.
Spouses know that they must each sacrifice for the other for a marriage to flourish. Parents know that they must put aside and sacrifice in order to provide for their children. Priests, religious and many in public service sacrifice their private lives for the sake of others.
As stewards we are called to sacrificial love as well. When we give of ourselves, our talents, our time and our treasure, we are called to share sacrificially. We are called to give our first and best to God and to give of ourselves for others as Christ gave for us. As we learn to love sacrificially we are truly living an Attitude of Gratitude.
In today's Gospel we hear Jesus say, "Come after me and I will make you fishers of men." And the response was, "At once they left their nets and followed him."
The response of the Apostles was to follow first, knowing that they would be expected to do something later. For the first three years after the call, the Apostles followed Him and learned from Him. But, once He was gone, it was their trun to become "fishers of men."
This pattern shows how our faith journey is to unfold. First, we must hear His call. Then, we must choose to follow. Next, we learn our faith. Finally, by living our faith, we call others to Christ.
Stewardship is all about living our faith in a manner that calls others to Christ. Through the joyful giving of time, talent, and treasure we show others what it means to follow Christ. By demonstrating our Attitude of Gratitude, we become "fishers of men."
Did you ever stop to consider, why are you here? Right her, right now. Why are you here at this point in your journey? God put you here for a reason, but do you know why? Is there something you are supposed to get from being here? Is there something you are supposed to do?
Today's first reading said, "The LORD said to me' You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory." "Now the LORD has spoken... it is too little, the LORD says, for you to be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and restore the survivors of Israel; I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
As a steward, we are first called to be servants of God, but just being a servant isn't enough. We are also supposed to be a light to those around us.
This passage offers two measures for your Attitude of Gratitude. Am I a servant of God? Am I a light for others? First, think it through, then look for ways to make it happen.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany. This is the day that the magi came to Jesus bearing gifts. These were the first Gentiles that recognized the manifestation of God in Christ.
One often wonders why the wise men chose to give Christ gold, frankincense and myrrh. One explanation was that the magi were possible sorcerers in their own land. These elements were used in their practice of magic. By giving these gifts to the Christ child, they were renouncing their old ways and giving their gifts to God.
These travelers exemplified the Christian steward. They were on a journey to find God, and when they found Him, they were willing to share their most valued possessions in service to Him.
As we enter the New Year, and as you look for ways to show your Attitude of Gratitude, consider those elements which you hold precious in your life and consider how you can offer them as a gift to God.