Be the Blessing

This year is our Jubilee anniversary at St. Matthias. We are renewing our commitment to stewardship as a parish right now. Each weekend, we have heard from diverse speakers who spoke about the many aspects of being a faithful steward and active disciple.

Recently, in a video from Rob Bell, the message touched on Tikkun Olam, a Jewish concept that refers to repairing (or restoring) the world. Essentially, it's up to us to restore the world. How? By doing good deeds (called 'mitzvot' in Jewish culture), deeds that feed the hungry, clothe the naked, put a roof over the homeless, and destroy injustice. This way, we perfect ourselves and we repair the world.

This concept is not far at all from what we learned in catechism about the Corporal Works of Mercy:

- To feed the hungry
- To give drink to the thirsty.
- To shelter the homeless.
- To clothe the naked.
- To visit and ransom the captive, and those in prison.
- To visit the sick.

In our faith sharing process called LIFT (Living In Faith Together), one of the reflection questions asked, In what ways are you Eucharist to others? One way that we can be Eucharist to others is to follow Tikkun Olam, or the Corporal Works of Mercy, or just to live your daily life more mindfully that you are a faithful follower of Jesus. Ask yourself, What would Jesus do? And: What would Jesus want me to do?

I was reminded of a saying that Canada-based consultant Jan Yuill often mentions:

~ "Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Take care of this place."

That sums up the steward's role nicely.

As Christians, being good stewards means that it's up to us to Be the Blessing.