Biloxi’s Bishop Roger Morin recently announced
assignments and reassignments of 13 of his priests as
pastors and his intent to celebrate an installation Mass
for each of these in their respective
parishes. I was privileged to assist at
the Mass installing Fr. Mark Ropel
as pastor of St. Thomas, Hattiesburg,
where theBishop read a proclamation
acknowledging Father Mark as
taking “canonical possession” of the
parish. Father Mark responded by
reading his (letter of) commitment
to be a dedicated servant of the Lord
and the people of the parish, and to
exercise prudent stewardship in his
administrative and spiritual duties as
shepherd of this local flock. The
audience applauded giving witness to the exchange,
and both parties signed the documents to (as the Bishop
remarked) -- “seal the deal.” As I witnessed this ritual
administered by Biloxi’s apostolic successor, it stirred
in me a sense of humble pride and made me feel so
fully connected to Christ through the rich history and
continuity of the Church I cherish and revere. In a
world rapidly moving toward a “religion” of secularism,
bent on re-defining everything to please the culture of
free choice regardless of its detrimental effects, I feel so
blessed to be a Catholic.
Today’s readings declare that God has not put us on
this earth to be consumers, place high priority on our
assets, or strive for self-satisfaction but to be His
faithful servants and responsible stewards. Isaiah 49
begins with a “Servant of the Lord” oracle -- a direct
reflection on God’s mission to bring back the exiled
people of Israel (the tribes of Jacob broken under the
yoke of foreign slave masters). God heard their lament
of feeling forsaken and forgotten and responded with
words of hope and assurance. “Can a mother forget her
infant, be without tenderness for the child of her
womb? Even should she forget; I will never forget you”
(Isaiah 49:15). The Lord’s Servant, will not only
liberate and restore Zion but be a light to all nations. To
whom have you been sent to liberate or restore? At
what intensity does your light shine, and for who’s
glory?
Psalm 62, “Trust in God Alone,” declares hope,
security, salvation, delight, blessings and more; can
only be found in trusting God. Every servant of the
Lord knows God is their source of strength and
responsible stewardship is pleasing to him. Where do
you place your trust? Is your life structured to please
God?
Paul labels himself both a servant who devotes his
entire life to the needs (not wants) of those to whom he
was sent and a steward ultimately responsible to give
an account of the gifts, graces, and ministry
responsibilities received from God. We can also bear
the titles of servant and steward if we, “Imitate (Paul)
as he imitates Christ” (1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1). If the
motives of our hearts were to be revealed will we
receive praise from God?
The past four Sunday Gospels were from Matthew’s
account of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-
7: 29). It is the cornerstone of Jesus’ teachings to his
disciples (please read it), setting the tone for what
follows – the application of His principles. Jesus not
only told his disciples what to do but showed them how
to do it (Matthew Chapter 8ff). In today’s gospel, Jesus
is not speaking to those pompous Pharisees, seditious
Sadducees or scheming Scribes but to his devoted
disciples. And what is he saying? “You cannot serve
God and money.” “Can any of you by worrying add a
single moment to your life-span?” “O, you of little
faith?” “…seek first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness and all these things will be given you
besides.” Do we need to hear these things? Yes, we do!
And know that only by listening to his words and acting
on them can we turn a hardened heart soft – ready to do
His will. Having established the importance of serving
God alone rather than being enslaved to material
possessions (“No one can serve two masters” --
Matthew 6: 24), Jesus can continue his teachings and
mission for us to model.
“Life itself is important in God’s eyes and in ours.
TheGospel teaching therefore continues to acknowledge
that the importance of clothing, food and nourishment,
must remain relative and subordinate to the supreme
value of our trust and dependence on God. At the same
time God expects us to act as prudent stewards, using
his gifts wisely and extending generosity to those in
need around us.” -- Bishop Sklba, Fire Starters.
More Reflection:
1. What does it mean that the Church is one, holy,
Catholic and Apostolic?
2. How would you convince someone that service
and stewardship are necessary for growing in faith?
Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is
assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his web-
site: deaconralph.com.
1st Reading: Isaiah 49:14-15
Psalm: 62:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Gospel: Matthew 6:24-34
Deacon Torrell
i
Sunday’s
Readings
8th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Servants and stewards
Gulf Pine Catholic
•
February 28, 2014
5
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