On Being Spiritual Stewards!

Monday, November 13, 2023

Wis 1:1-7; Lk 17:1-6

In today’s Gospel, Jesus talks of spiritual stewardship.  

While Jesus acknowledges hindrances as common factors in our spiritual journey, he warns those who cause them through a deliberate will because it contradicts one’s responsibility of spiritual stewardship. 

As Christians, we should only be known as helpers and facilitators of the spiritual journey that our neighbors make. For Jesus, anything less is unbecoming of a Christian. 

Hence, being spiritual stewards is about enabling others to discover their vocation and live their faith more fully and deeply. 

Secondly, when the Apostles request Jesus to increase their faith, Jesus suggests an inward gaze. He wants them to see if they have faith, even in the size of a mustard seed. We can ask ourselves the same: if faith in the size of a mustard seed can do wonders, how far am I rooted in my faith? 

We also understand faith as an expression of gratitude. A faith that counts its blessings is reassured of the Divine Providence. Whereas the faith of the ingrates is shaken by every little wind in life. It overlooks and ignores God’s goodness. 

Here, in a way, Jesus continues the theme of spiritual stewardship. 

How do I manifest my faith? How do I help others manifest it? 

We can be spiritual stewards only if we are rooted in our faith. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar