By Richard Vande Veegaete, Diocesan Stewardship Council
“Whoever wants to follow Christ will have much work to do on his behalf – announcing the Good News and serving others as Jesus did. Jesus’ call is urgent. He does not tell people to follow him at some time in the future, but here and now – at this moment, in these circumstances” (Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, 14, USCCB).
Stewardship is taking care of one another and it may happen at strange times. I recently attended a funeral of a dear friend. Looking through her “Remembering Life” brochure, I was reminded of her impact on my life… but then I read the following reflection:
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep,
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die.
– Anonymous
Maybe this is her greatest gift to me. Instead of “do this, don’t do that,” in the end she reminds me that she was filled with God’s life during her life, and that life lives on and on and on. She will be looking out for me because I will always see her in the wind, the ripened grain, the snow, and the bird’s flight. It is she who will always remind me that God lives in me too… and always will.
There are many bridges in life. One of the most important is to see that God’s life survives in us all… now and forever. And each of us does become a bridge to others whether it is now or forever. We are reminded by Pope Francis, “Christians who are afraid to build bridges and prefer to build walls are Christians who are not sure of their faith, nor sure of Jesus Christ. Build bridges and move forward.” Whether it is now or forever…. remember that we are bridge builders to the richness of life in all of creation.
Please help us continue
