Tithing is only concerned with the donation of ten percent of a person’s income.  Stewardship addresses a person’s whole life…Only a committed disciple can be a steward of God’s gifts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
-- Archbishop Thomas Murphy
 
Archbishop Murphy died over 20 years ago.  At the time of his death he was Archbishop of Seattle and as the spiritual leader for Catholics in Western Washington, he is remembered as a man driven by compassion for the poor and concern for his priests.  If he could be remembered for one thing, Archbishop Murphy once told a friend, it would be as a man who passed on his Christian faith to others.  The Archbishop believed that the best way of passing on the faith was by living stewardship as a way of life.  He was a passionate promoter of Christian stewardship.
 
As pastor of a “Stewardship” Parish for the last fifteen years, I know many Catholics still do not understand the basic concept of Stewardship.  Some still see it as a value that is more accepted in Baptist circles than in Catholic circles, which may have some truth to it.  There are probably more Baptist who tithe than Catholics.  So, some still believe that stewardship is only about money; a way of raising funds without the fun of bingo.   
 
Archbishop Murphy tried to teach the faithful that there was a basic difference between tithing and stewardship.  He absolutely believed in "sacrificial giving," in tithing because the Bible says it's the right thing to do.  But he also believed that stewardship was a much deeper and spiritually enriching way of living our faith.  The Archbishop said, “Stewardship addresses a person’s whole life; his or her finances, talents and time.  It asks the basic question. As a disciple of Jesus, how am I using my talents and all of my resources?  Anyone can be charitable and give ten percent of their income.  Only a committed disciple can be a steward of God’s gifts in the Church.”
 
I’ve been tithing for over twenty years now as I give the first 10% of my income back to God through my church offering and donations to charity.  Honestly, it hasn’t been a great challenge.  Perhaps, it would be more of a challenge if I had to support a family.  And yet, I remember as a young priest learning from a poor Church sacristan with a large family that the most important thing in terms of living stewardship is to have a grateful heart for whatever way God blesses you and to trust God in all things.
 
A good steward does not divide life into two neat compartments: one of everyday ordinary life and the other of God and Church.  Stewards are true disciples.  Whether it is at work or at home, they see all of life has being rooted in God’s love.  Being a good steward means embracing the ultimate meaning of life from a Christian perspective.  At work do I treat others as Jesus would?  Do I share the gifts that God has given me?  At home am I communicating well and openly with my spouse?  Do I tell my kids I love them?  Do I join with my spouse in nourishing our family and using our family resources well?
 
The role of Jesus’ disciples is to be a steward of God’s grace in every situation and in every relationship.  I look forward to building up God’s Kingdom with this Faith Community.  So many of you are already so deeply committed to St. Michael’s Parish.  I am grateful to all of you who have returned you commitment cards today.  Thank you for embracing your faith so generously with your time, talent, and treasure.

Fr. Jerry Ragan