Being Generous with Our Time & Talents
Dear Parishioners,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! We have by God’s grace, entered the second half of another eventful year: eventful in various spectrum of our lives. We have had the retirement of Cardinal John, after many years of selfless service in the Church; a new Archbishop for the Archdiocese in Archbishop Paul; then hopefully a new opportunity for our politicians in the country and the long-awaited return of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish Community to its place of worship etc. by the end of the year! These events are made possible because many people are willing to share their life, time, talents, and treasures.
We would also hope that the days and years ahead become eventful for ourselves and for our future generation which invariably invite us to have the willingness and readiness to share our time, talents, and treasures. In the first reading for this weekend, we read how a woman of Shunem, and her husband shared their time, talents, and resources with the prophet of God and in turn received a priceless gift from God. And in the Gospel for this Sunday, we hear Jesus telling us that not even a cup of cold water given to someone in His name will be rewarded.
Through the “Time & Talent Survey” undertaken this weekend, the Parish is offering us an opportunity to play our role in making our community one that shapes and enriches the lives of many. Certainly, we are all too engaged and at times overwhelmed with other responsibilities of life. But Jesus reminds us that nothing should really come in our way when it comes to our commitment to Christ and His Church. Choosing life with Christ means that everything else must be understood from a new perspective to make our lives positively eventful.
Speaking to a group of students, the former scientist President of India, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam told them “Not to ask what the country can give me rather than to ask what I can offer my country.” St. Paul reminds us that “there is more happiness in giving than in receiving” (Acts 20: 35). Let each of us ask ourselves: “what can I offer to my parish community?” May all of us be cheerful givers!
God’s Blessings!
Fr. Joy Raphal
