What Does It Cost?

What does it cost? 

On August 15, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I marked the 14th anniversary of my ordination to the sacred priesthood. I cannot sufficiently express in words my gratitude to God for calling me to share in the priesthood, which is rightfully Christ’s, despite my obvious unworthiness. I am also grateful for the many good people the Lord has put in my life, who have truly been a blessing to me and help me be a better human and a good priest. The occasion offered me the opportunity to once again reflect on how I am stewarding the ministry that has been entrusted to me. I took time to repent for past sins and wrongs and to rededicate myself to the service of God and of his people. The Solemnity of the Assumption holds a lot of meaning for me. It reminds me that I have been specially claimed by the Blessed Mother as her own. Long before my ordination, I had consecrated myself to her Immaculate Heart. And by providence, I was ordained on her feast day. Just two years ago, the Lord blessed me with an anniversary present when my nephew was born on this same feast day. 

The custom of producing a prayer card as a souvenir when a priest is ordained seems to be popular around the world. I have seen that here in the United States too. On the occasion of my priestly anniversary, I was once again drawn to the words on my souvenir prayer card, “I cannot sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). I will provide a little context. King David had offended God by conducting a census of the people of Israel to determine their military might. This signaled a lack of trust in God. By his action David brought a plague upon the people. The prophet Gad instructed David to set up an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Arauna the Jebusite. David approached Arauna and wanted to buy the threshing floor, but Arauna would not sell it. Instead, he gives it to David for free, and also some items for the sacrifice. David however refused, and insisted on paying for the threshing floor at the proper price. It was then he uttered those words that have registered on my heart for these 14 years, and hopefully for many more to come, if the Lord wills. 

I found myself reflecting on the worth of my sacrifices to God. What does my sacrifice to God cost me? How much of my life is given over to God? How much of my time, knowledge, skills, and money do I give to God? In Genesis 4, we read that both Cain and Abel brought offerings to the Lord. Abel’s offering was accepted and Cain's was rejected. As Cain became angry and was downcast, the Lord admonished him to do what is right if he wanted his offering to be accepted. The story goes on; and Cain slaughters his brother Abel. The problem was not whether he brought some of what the Lord had given him, but that he lacked the right behavior. His action did not match his offering. The right attitude and behavior come from the recognition that the heavens and earth, and everything belongs to God. In Job 41:3 (NAB) we read, “Everything under the heavens is mine.” Everything means everything, not some, not a little, not a few. Everything we had, have, and will ever have, belongs to God. This is the attitude that makes our sacrifices, no matter how much or how little, acceptable to the Lord. 

I would like to dedicate the month of October at our parish to stewardship. It will be an opportunity for each one of us to reflect on our attitude to all of creation, to evaluate how we are stewarding the gift of time, talent, and resources the Lord has blessed us with. It would give us an opportunity to repent from any semblance to Cain and to embrace the generosity of heart, which Abel exemplified. As a parish, we will commit to new ways of stewardship, which will entail not just performing specific actions, but a transformation of our lives going forward. 

May the Blessed Mother, who received the gift of the Son of God, raised him according to God’s plan, and freely gave him to the world to be its Savior, intercede for us so that we may be good and faithful stewards of all the Lord has entrusted to us. Amen.

With blessings from my heart,

Fr. Julius