Go Make Disciples

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20

 Almighty God, my parish is composed of people like me. I help make it what it is. It will be friendly if I am. It will be holy if I am. Its pews will be filled if I help fill them. It will do great work if I work. It will be prayerful if I pray. It will make generous gifts to many causes if I am a generous giver. It will bring other people into its worship if I invite and bring them. It will be a parish family of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, of compassion, charity, and mercy if I — who make it what it is — am filled with the same qualities. Therefore, with the help of God, I will dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my parish to be. Lord God, I ask for Your grace, that I might follow Jesus and build the Church for Your glory. AMEN

After Jesus’ Resurrection and before His Ascension into heaven, He leaves His disciples a clear command: Go and make disciples (Mt 28:19). He tells them to share what He has shared with them, which is the love and knowledge of the Father so that all people may be invited into a life with Christ through baptism. It is by our baptism that we have been invited into a life with Christ and partake in this mission of discipleship. It is our duty to spread the good news. Pope Francis explains, “In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples… Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged in evangelization…”(Evangelii Gaudium). It is our call today, and every day, to live out the Gospel.

Becoming a missionary disciple is ultimately living a life of stewardship. It is recognizing that our lives are a true gift from God, and in gratitude for this gift, we want to give back to the Gracious Giver. We give back to God by living our lives for Him — spending time with Him, cultivating our gifts and talents and using those talents for His glory. This will result in personal transformation and a life filled with a happiness that lasts. And once we capture this contagious joy, how could we not want to share it? Therefore, we are asking all at St. Michael Parish to live out our call to Go Make Disciples through a life of stewardship. 

Stewardship of Time * Manawa

Cultivating a Personal Relationship with the Lord

Discipleship begins with a conversion and transformation of heart. This transformation is not a one-time event, but a daily choice, for Jesus proclaimed, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). It is through a physical walk with Christ — time spent in prayer, reception of the sacraments and time in His presence — that we will be able to share what we have received. For it is through personal experience with Christ that we will be able to spread the Gospel with conviction. As Pope Francis states, “It is impossible to persevere in a fervent evangelization unless we are convinced from personal experience that it is not the same thing to have known Jesus as not to have known him…” (Evangelii Gaudium). Therefore, we must spend time with God to know God and share Him unto the ends of the earth. 

Will you consider some ways to better know the Lord? 

• Set aside 15 minutes every morning for quiet prayer by reading and reflecting on Sacred Scripture. A helpful place to start is the readings for each day, found at usccb.org/bible/readings or on Catholic phone and tablet apps, such as iBreviary, Laudate, Magnificat, Divine Office and Hallow.
• Spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament in Eucharistic Adoration. This time with the physical presence of Christ deepens our relationship with Him.
• Cultivate the joy of knowing God by thanking Him for the good things He has given you and the ways He has worked in your life.

Stewardship of Talent * No’eau

Being a Witness with Our Lives 

A large part of spreading the Gospel is by the way we live our lives. It is by word and testimony of life that we will evangelize (CCC, 905). We want to live lives that imitate Jesus’ life. The entire mission of Christ was to give glory back to His Father by fulfilling His mission. This is how we are called to live as well. One of the best ways to do this is through using our gifts and talents and allowing ourselves to be instruments of the Lord. In being good stewards of the many blessings God has given us, we give Him glory and spread His goodness with everyone we encounter.

Will you consider these ways to grow as a missionary disciple?

• How are you using your gifts and talents? What are some talents you are not using? Consider ways you can contribute your gifts and talents to God. Make a tangible commitment to begin using them.
• Consider joining an Adult or Youth Faith Formation class. There is always more to learn about our faith. The more we educate ourselves, the better we can share our faith with others!
• Consider inviting a parishioner, friend, neighbor or family member to a Faith Formation class at your parish, to daily Mass, or a parish event. Sometimes those who need support are your fellow parishioners who sit in the pew next to you, the person down the street or your spouse in the next room. Jesus asks us to proclaim the Gospel and often that starts at home.

Stewardship of Treasure * Mea Makamae

Bearing Witness with our Spending

Our time and our talents are gifts from God, and so is our treasure. The way we spend our time and use our talents helps us grow as missionary disciples, and so, too does the way we spend our treasure. We give not because our parish has needs, but because we have a spiritual need to give. As His disciples, giving a portion of our treasure to God teaches us to depend on Him and share what He has gifted us with others. Such goodness can be achieved when we allow God to be a part of our giving. 

Try it out! Trust in the Lord by taking a leap of faith.

• At St. Michael, we honor the scriptural tithe (10%). Consider increasing your gift by 1% or 2% increments until you reach the scriptural tithe.
• Pray about the best use of your financial resources and ask God to show you where you need to give Him priority in them.
• Make a commitment to give regularly to God through the parish offertory, and be faithful to your tithing commitment, even when you attend Mass elsewhere.