Stewardship and Social Teachings
by Bishop Broderick Pabillo
(Excerpt- from the tail of Bishop Broderick Pabillo on the fits day of Stewardship Month September 1, 2019 which was also the start of the three-month 40th Fiesta Celebration and the 14th anniversary of CT. K as a Stewardship Parish. Bishop Pabillo was recently appointed by the Vatican as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Mani, after Cardinal Chita Tagb, ammed a new post in Rome,
I am glad that I have been invited to speak on the themes of Stewardship and Catholic Social Teachings, especially on the opening day of your fiesta celebration. These are two topics dear to my heart. I have been talking about it since 2005. Catholic social teachings are considered as the best kept secrets of the Church and I have been trying to impart it, even seeking the help of CFC (Couples for Christ) at that people may know. Hindi pa ako obispo, malapit na sa past ko ang mga topics na ito.
Personal and Social
Pope Benedict XVI said in his letter, “Evangelization would not be complete if it did not rake into account the unceasing interplay of the Gospel in concrete life both personal and social?
The testimony of Christ’s charity through through works of charity is part and parcel of evangelization. Jesus Christ who lows as is concerned with the whole person. A complete life means both personal and social.
Most Catholics regard spiritual life as personal. Basta may relationship ako as Diyos. Basta nagdarasal ako. But we are social beings. Part of as should work for justice, peace, development. The Good News is speaking about social justice. That is why we should fight if there is injustice.
The Gospel speaks about the development of the person, of the poor, of the handicapped. Christ loves the whole person, the complete person. To teach and spread social doctrine pertains to the Church’s evangelizing mission arid is an essential part of the Christian message, since doctrine points direct consequences in the life of society. There is an interplay of the messages of Christ with the society. The message of Christ is not only personal, but with a social aspect.
Stewardship and Discipleship
In 1992, the U.S. bishops wrote a pastoral letter saying that as stewards, we receive God’s grace gratefully. We recognize these gifts and receive them. We say to cultivate the gifts responsibly and share them in loving justice. Hence, it is a matter of justice to share gifts. The gifts we receive are not only for us. We receive gifts for sheathe of others. If we don’t share, we are being unjust to others. The gifts we received are to be used and shared.
Discipleship means we follow the light- of Jesus. This is a light of sharing in fidelity to the will of the Father. We are called to stewardship. We are called to discipleship. By becoming stewards we become more like Jesus’ disciples. Yan sag gusto ni Hesus—isang buhay ng pagbibigay.
Solidarity and Ecology
We also talk of solidarit, We are all connected to each other. We are responsible for each other, especially for those most in need. Solidarity is an important principle in Catholic social teachings. Our life is part of the web of life. We are not separate. And because we are connected, we are responsible for each other. ‘Yan ang pananagutan. We share our rime, talent, and treasure to those that don’t have much.
Another principle of stewardship is ecology. It is our responsibility to rare for the environment. In fact, stewardship was first used to pertain to the environment. Thyo ang tagapanwhala ng mga ginawa ng Diyos.
The world is given to all. We have been given dominion over living things at that we may take cam of it not only for ourselves but also for others. This responsibility is not only for those who have money. This responsibility is for all That is why all Church’s programs and projects should benefit the poor.
Next Generation
Finally, we forget that there is a succeeding generation. You labor all your life to give children a good future. But what if there’s no more future?
We must be conscious of the future. Kid activists these days are going our of their classrooms to try to take (are of the earth. The right to private property acquired by work or achieved from others by inheritance or gift does not do away with the original gift of the earth.
Let as take care of our children’s future. Let us take care of our earth.
