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Johnson Internship Program: Thanksgiving and Stewardship

Robert Cristobal, Johnson Intern

Stewardship and thanksgiving are two words often used within the context of the Church's life and mission. As ecclesiastically correct phrases, they seem to be often used and misunderstood. How is it that stewardship and thanksgiving truly relate to our lives?

In my social ministry as a Johnson intern, I have had the unique opportunity to delve into an experiential understanding of the two. I am fortunate to have co-workers who have a passion and active commitment in the work they do. They recognize their work as ministry, caring for the needs of persons living with HIV and AIDS. The work, while tedious and frustrating at times, becomes a blessing of wholeness to both the provider and the client.

From this experience, I realize that thanksgiving is not just a trite word describing contentment of resources. Rather, thanksgiving is a profound sense of gratitude for the countless blessings we have -- the gifts of life, love, friendship, family, among other things. Stewardship, then, is a living out of this gratitude in thought, word, and deed. We come to a realization that the earth belongs to God as His creation, and we are a part of that creation. Living into this understanding, it is understood that all that we have and all that we are comes from God. We are blessed with gifts and talents, which we apply to our professions. Our vocations, our interactions with family and friends, all are opportunities for ministry. Thus, stewardship moves us from gratefulness into dynamic action, as we share with the less fortunate what has been so richly and freely given to us.

November is near approaching, and we will soon celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. In the wake of the September 11 tragedy, and the ever-present uncertainties of life, it may be difficult to approach the holiday with thankfulness. Yet even in the midst of this, grace has shown forth. Stewardship has been seen in the courageous rescue workers, the long lines at blood drives, and other acts of compassion. We see it in the presence of our church and in our families as we come closer together.

Let us also not forget that every Sunday we participate in an act of gratitude in worship, the Eucharist. In this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we commemorate Christ's death on the cross which vouchsafed our redemption. Christ's loving act of selfless giving compels us to offer back to God our very selves, souls, and bodies. As the offering plate comes to you on Sunday, remember God's faithfulness in your life. St Francis of Assisi reminds us that "it is in giving that we receive." Thus, with hearts of thanksgiving, let us give God the 'first fruits' of our life and labor, giving glory to God by sustaining the Church's mission of stewardship to the world.

"All things come of Thee, O Lord, and of Thine own have we given Thee."

© 2001: Chapel of the Cross