105 N. La Esperanza • San Clemente, CA 92672 • 949-492-4101 • Fax 949-492-4856 www.olfchurch.net
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time October 16, 2011
A Eucharistic Community Living The Good News Daily
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Parish San Clemente, California
T he folklore of all cultures is filled with stories of fateful choices. People find themselves in front of two
doors—one door leading to disaster, one to untold bliss. Robert Frost’s famous poem “The Road Not Taken” underscores the fact that our lives are forever changed by the choices we make. Week after week, we are offered a choice to declare to others and to our God whom we belong to—the small god of money and possessions, or the great God whom Jesus called Abba (Jesus spoke Aramaic, and this word means Daddy or Papa). On Sunday some of us simply drop into the offertory basket what we think is good enough, or perhaps a habitual amount that we will never miss, or what we just happen to have in our pocket. How about a different approach? Whenever we receive a financial blessing, whether from a weekly paycheck, a personal allowance, an appreciation of investments, a sales bonus, or even a lottery windfall, first and foremost let’s thank God for this blessing. Then take a portion—the amount is up to us—and share it gratefully with others: half to build up the Church, and the other half to good causes you favor. This places God as the highest priority in our lives. In gratitude for God’s overwhelming love for us, we give back a portion of what we have received, and only then keep the rest for ourselves. The scriptures challenge us to give this “first fruits,” not the tiny part that’s left over after we’ve done what we want. Modern scientific research shows that people who give generously tend to live happier and longer lives. So becoming a grateful giver changes how we think about life, and makes us true stewards of God’s constant blessings.
Wednesday Event Note Rom 6:12-18; Lk 12:39-48 3:30-4:45pm Faith Formation for Children School 4-6pm Mission hospital nurse visit Mod. 1 / see pg. 4
Saturday Event Note Rom 8:1-11; Lk 13:1-9 6:30am - 8am Catholic Men’s Fellowship Mod. Rm. 8 / see pg. 4
Monday Event Note Rom 4:20-25; Lk 12:13-21 7pm Candle Light Rosary Procession see pg. 4
Tuesday Event Note 2 Tm 4:10-17b; Lk 10:1-9 6:45-8:15pm Jr. High Program School 8 7pm RCIA Mod. 1 / See pg. 5
Thursday Event Note Rom 6:19-23; Lk 12:49-53 9am Bible Study Mod 8
Friday Event Note Rom 7:18-25a; Lk 12:54-59
Today Event Note Is 45:1, 4-6; Ps 96; 1 Thes 1:1-5b; Mt 22:15-21 All Masses Monthly Food Drive pick up grocery bag after Mass 8:45am - 10:15am Child Care Mod. 1 / kids 12 mos. up to age 4 9am Mass Children’s Liturgy of the Word kids preK thru 4th grade After 9am Mass (10-10:45am) Children's Choir rehearsal family chapel / [email protected] 9am & 11am Masses Coffee & Donuts after Mass on the patio 6:45pm Encore presentation on Catholicism see pg. 5
Mass Schedule Saturday: 5:30p.m. Sunday: 7, 9, 11a.m., 1p.m. (Sp), and 5:30p.m. Daily Mass: M-F 7a.m., 8:30a.m.; Sat 8a.m. Reconciliation: Saturday 4-5 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration: M-F 9a.m.-9p.m.; Sat 9a.m.-5p.m.; Sun 2p.m.-5p.m.
Yes, Our Lady of Fatima is now on Twitter!
Follow the parish on Twitter to get up-to-the minute info about all that's happening in your parish - including construction updates, op-portunities for prayer and service, and news about seasonal events. If you don't have a Twitter account, you can set one up at www.twitter.com It's fast, easy and free! And you can even select the option to have tweets sent directly to your mobile phone! What a great way to stay connected with OLF.
Sunday Event Note Ex 22:20-26; Ps 18; 1 Thes 1:5c-10; Mt 22:34-40 All Masses Monthly Food Drive food collected at all Masses 8:45am - 10:15am Child Care Mod. 1 / kids 12 mos. up to age 4 9am Mass Children’s Liturgy of the Word kids preK thru 4th grade After 9am Mass (10-10:45am) Children's Choir rehearsal family chapel / [email protected] 9am & 11am Masses Coffee & Donuts after Mass on the patio
October 16, 2011 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 3
From our Pastor, Fr. Jack Sewell
I t is enough of a challenge for us to accept one another as equals. It is quite another matter to think of others as superior. Our human nature leads us to think of ourselves as having the inside track on wis-dom and knowledge. It began in a place we know as the Garden of Eden. There was one thing Adam and Eve could-n’t do—eat from the Tree, but they did it anyway. They knew better than God did, judging for themselves what they could or could not do. If they had just
tried to stay as equals to God, per-haps it would have worked out better. Adam and Eve could have given God the benefit of the doubt on the Tree restriction, and they could claim some other part of the Garden as their turf. But even being equal wasn’t good enough. They had to try to be better than God.
This is why the life of Christ was so difficult for people of
his time to understand, and why it remains the great challenge for all time. Christ not only thought of others as superior to himself. He treated others as superior to himself. From subjecting himself to a human baptism, to providing bread and fish for the crowds, to washing the disciples feet, to his sacrifice on the Cross, Christ looked to the other’s interest rather than his own. As the Son of God, he truly was superior to others, but his life was one of humble service to others. His path to the Cross was not one of rivalry of conceit but one of selfless giving and sacrifice for the sake of every person, in every age. The call to discipleship is his invitation to our own walk in humility and service to others in his name.
“Never act out of rivalry or conceit.
Rather, let everyone think of others as superior to
themselves, each of you looking
to other’s interests rather than their own.”
(Philippians 2:2-4)
Register this weekend for a 2011-2012 Dinner Circle ~ What is a Dinner Circle? ~ It’s a group of 8 parishioners who gather monthly to enjoy a meal together. It’s a great way to make some new connections in the parish. Pick up your invitation and a registration form after the Sat. 5:30 pm and 9 and 11 am
Masses this weekend OR register online at www.olfchurch.net/parish_life.html . All registra-tions must be received by October 23. Groups begin meeting in November.
There are two ways you can support this year’s Hunger Walk: 1. Pick up a sponsor form and walk
on October 23; or 2. Sponsor an OLF walker by mak-
ing a donation after the 9 and 11 am Masses this weekend
Susan DeGennaro, OLF parishioner, FAM staff member and co-chair of this year’s Hunger Walk will be on hand to answer your questions about the important work of Family Assis-tance Ministries. For more info, visit their website at http://family-assistance.com/ or scan this code.
Welcome to Our Lady of Fatima Parish 4
FREE Nurse Visits at OLF Talk with a Mission Hospital Nurse this Wednesday, June 19 in a private setting regarding your health questions and concerns including nutritional counseling, coping with life changes, blood pressure counseling, and resources for you and your family. There is no charge for this service and no appointment is necessary. Just drop by the modular building across from the parish office. For more information contact, Maria Ayala, Mission Hospital nurse at 364-1400, x 5063. Catholic Men’s Fellowship Meeting Let’s discuss “Today, what part of your life do you feel needs balancing the most ?” This Saturday, October 22nd, 6:30 am, men of all ages are welcome to join this Faith Sharing get together every 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. You’ll enjoy talking about what’s going on in your Spiritual life and discussing Sunday’s readings. This gathering has really evolved to a great experience for many and new friendships have been created. And it's finished in 90 minutes (just in time for Saturday morning Mass.) Questions? Suggestions? Al Ortiz 412-9126; [email protected] . Coffee and donuts, too! Candle Light Rosary Procession, Monday October 17th Our parish school student ambassadors invite you to join them in prayer on Monday, October 17, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. on the parish campus. Our young students will lead the procession and prayers to our Lady, as we observe the Month of the Rosary at the school. Candles will be provided. All children/youth under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult for supervision for the entire duration of the event. (Long hair needs to be tied together for safety reasons.) Our procession will begin at church! Please bring your rosary with you!
We have received close to 1200 responses! Don’t be left out. Only two weekends remaining. Surveys are available after all Masses this weekend in the
modular building.
Your answers matter. Take the survey.
Other seeds fell into good soil, and they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.
Mark 4:8
Slow down, please! As much as I would like to ‘ask’ you to watch your speed, or ‘invite’ you to slow down, or ‘caution’ you to be careful, the traffic speeds on the parish campus on Sundays, during School, Faith Formation for Children classes, and other parish programs require me to state emphatically that you must slow down. These are your family members, neighbors and fellow parish-ioners who are at risk because high speeds, cell phone use, and inattention to the car and pedestrian traffic. Parents, pa-rishioners, and staff have wit-nessed dangerous traffic con-flicts on our campus on every day of the week and at every hour. Follow all directions, and SLOW DOWN! Fr. Jack
October 16, 2011 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time 5
F•O•R•M•A•T•I•O•N I•N•F•O•R•M•A•T•I•O•N
Changes Coming to Masses in English You may have heard -- but not everyone has -- that there is a new edition of the Roman Missal. The Roman Missal is the book con-taining all the prayers for all the Masses throughout the year. As you may know, the Mass is officially in Latin, as it has been for sev-eral centuries. What we use is a translation of the Latin text into English. Beginning on the first Sunday of Advent this year (Nov 26/27), there will be a new translation in use in all English-speaking countries and parishes throughout the world. Since the method of translation is different in this new edition than in the present book, the Mass will sound quite different, even though it is essentially unchanged. New musical settings for the Gloria, Holy, Memorial Acclamations, and Lamb of God (as well as others, later on) will begin to appear in November. We will learn some new spoken responses, as well. And the priests will have an entirely new set of prayers for each and every Mass. For a change that doesn't really change anything, this change changes a lot...! Watch for bulletin inserts and special class sessions in the coming weeks to help you learn and understand what is coming. And let us keep our parish, our Church, and each other in prayer as we make this transition to a new text for the Mass we love.
Joining the Church - Adult Sacrament Preparation If you are not Catholic but would like to explore the idea of joining the Catholic Church, the RCIA is for you. Inquiry starts this coming Tuesday, where you can ask questions and learn some basics without making any immediate commitment. Modular 1, 7 - 8:30 pm. Contact Rick Hardy, [email protected], for more information. Baptized Catholic but never really lived as a Catholic? RCIA for you! Reconnect and learn what you've been missing! See above for details. If you are Catholic and attend-ing Mass regularly, but were never confirmed, Adult Confirmation prepa-ration is for you. You'll start with the Inquiry Class this Tuesday (see above), then you'll move into your own group for specific Confirmation preparation. Junior High Program: Last Call If you're in grade 7 or 8, you can still sign up for Crossover, our out-standing Junior High program. It's for teens who attend public, parish, or home school. There's a dynamic team of senior high teens and young adults, along with moms and dads in the background to offer logistical and moral support. Its a learning experience disguised as fun! Tuesday nights, 6:45 - 8:15. Don't miss it! Check the parish web site for info and registra-tion form, or contact Bridget Goodreau, program coordinator: [email protected]
Child care: RSVP to parish office Video, 50 min
Discussion, 30 min Refreshments
Repeats Tuesday 9:30 am
Welcome to Our Lady of Fatima Parish 6
Mass Intentions
Monday 10/17 7a.m. Thomas Mear 8:30a.m. Natividad Jimenez
Tuesday 10/18 7a.m. Eva Ortega 8:30a.m. Patrick Martin
Wednesday 10/19 7a.m. Timothy & Regina Walter 8:30a.m. Yvonne Henriks
Thursday 10/20 7a.m. Ralph Barrella 8:30a.m. Ladislao Samson
Friday 10/21 7a.m. William Mahedy 8:30a.m. Ron Mosich
Saturday 10/22 8a.m. Charlotte Vigor
Jeff Luna Joyce Saltzgiver Edie Lacy Msgr. McGowan Kathleen Gibney Shirley Peterson Patricia Dueling Miriam Kilty Manuela Esparza Pedro Jimenez Fr. Ned Rock Adriana Rios
Sue Reyes Jose de Jesus Franco Sandra Franco Adele Yearry Jorge Amezcua Mary Gallagher Patricia Lissner Christopher Lissner Pat Fahy William Bennet Vincent Albregt Edward Lesneski
We pray for all the sick
June Stack Richard Brunell Consuelo Dobrawa Iver Norman Ronald Mosich Frank Domenichini Yvonne Henriks Michael Ossineer Jeanine Fahy
Theresa Rotella Richard Timberlake Rosalinda Palacios Alicia Diaz Mariano Molina Jose Nijme Pedro Mata and all victims of war and violence
and for our beloved dead
October 9, 2011 Weekly Offertory Report #2
Offertory Basket $ 10,777 Received during week $ 1,425 Electronic giving $ 10,000 Total $ 22,202 Maintenance Fund $ 3,875
Help support local military families On Saturday, October 29th, the San Clemente Military Family Out-reach (SCMFO) will hold its fourth annual Variety Show fundraiser at the San Clemente Community Center. This 2011 music and comedy extravaganza is entitled “Starry, Starry Night” features outstanding live entertainment. Doors open at 6:15. Shoe begins at 7:00 pm. A raffle with fabulous prizes will also be held with one free ticket for all attending. The proceeds from this annual fundraiser provides Thanks-giving dinner for over 1,200 low income Marine families in north Camp Pendleton. Tickets are $35 for reserved seats and $25 for open seating, and can be obtained online at www.militaryfamilyoutreach.com , at the SCMFO office at 2001 Calle Frontera, San Clemente, or by contacting Daisy Nueva/SCMFO volunteer at 949-492-5427. Augustinian Vocation – Discernment Retreat Invitation to young men to discern Augustinian vocation to religious life/priesthood. Weekend retreat October 21st –23rd at Saint Augustine church in San Diego. For more information please contact Fr. Tom Helan, O.S.A. Vocation Director at 415-831-2595 or Fr. Paul Flynn, O.S.A. at 492-4101 [email protected]
Our Lady of Fatima Parish School Principal, Mrs. Beate Nguyen, M.A. 492-7320 - [email protected] www.olfschool.net
For a complete listing of pastoral staff please visit us at www.olfchurch.net
Bienvenidos a la Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Fátima 4
Jeff Luna Joyce Saltzgiver Edie Lacy Msgr. McGowan Kathleen Gibney Shirley Peterson Patricia Dueling Miriam Kilty Manuela Esparza Pedro Jimenez Fr. Ned Rock Adriana Rios
Sue Reyes Jose de Jesus Franco Sandra Franco Adele Yearry Jorge Amezcua Mary Gallagher Patricia Lissner Christopher Lissner Pat Fahy William Bennet Vincent Albregt Edward Lesneski
Oremos por los enfermos
June Stack Richard Brunell Consuelo Dobrawa Iver Norman Ronald Mosich Frank Domenichini Yvonne Henriks Michael Ossineer Jeanine Fahy
Theresa Rotella Richard Timberlake Rosalinda Palacios Alicia Diaz Mariano Molina Jose Nijme Pedro Mata y por todas las victimas de la guerra y violencia.
y por nuestros queridos fallecidos
Lecturas de la semana
Lunes 10/17 Rom 4:20-25; Lc 12:13-21
Martes 10/18
2 Tim 4:10-17b; Lc 10:1-9
Miércoles 10/19 Rom 6:12-18; Lc 12:39-48
Jueves 10/20
Rom 6:19-23; Lc 12:49-53
Viernes 10/21 Rom 7:18-25a; Lc 12:54-59
Sábado 10/22
Rom 8:1-11; Lc 13:1-9
Domingo 10/23 Ex 22:20-26; Sal 18 (17);
1 Tes 1:5c-10; Mt 22:34-40
Lecturas de hoy
Primera lectura Sólo a Dios debemos adorar;
al Dios que nos llama por nuestro nombre
(Isaías 45:1, 4-6).
Salmo Da al Señor gloria y honor
(Salmo 96 [95]).
Segunda lectura Hemos recibido el Evangelio no
sólo de palabras sino por el poder del Espíritu Santo
(1 Tesalonicenses 1:1-5b).
Evangelio Devuelve al César lo que es del César y a Dios lo que es de Dios
(Mateo 22:15-21).
Horario de las Misas
Sábado: 5:30p.m.
Domingo: 7, 9, 11a.m., 1p.m. (Esp), y 5:30p.m.
Misas Diarias: Lunes a Viernes 7a.m., 8:30a.m., Sábado 8a.m.
Confesiones: Sábado 4-5p.m.
Adoración Eucarística: Lunes a Viernes 9a.m.-9p.m.; Sábado 9a.m.-5p.m.; Domingo 2p.m.-5p.m.
9 de octubre del 2011 Reporte del Ofertorio #2
Ofertorio Canasta regular $ 10,777 Recibido durante la semana $ 1,425 Electrónicamente $ 10,000 Total $ 22,202 Fondo de Mantenimiento $ 3,875
Cómo recibir la Santa Eucaristía — La postura correcta para recibir la Sagrada Comunión se encuentra en el número 160 de la Instrucción General del Misal Romano: "La norma para la recepción de la comunión en las diócesis de los Estados Unidos es de pie o parado". Es importante hacerlo de esta manera, especialmente aquí en la parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Fátima por razones de seguridad. Hay muy poco espacio entre la primera fila y donde están los dos primeros ministros. Los otros dos ministros están delante de la primera banca y no hay suficiente espacio para los que quieren hacer una glenuflexión y/o arrodillarse para recibir la comunión. Los feligreses se pueden tropezar sobre los otros feligreses que se inclinan o se arrodillan inesperadamente. Por favor, sean considerados con toda la congregación y reciban la comunión de pie. La instrucción # 160 dice también que: "no debe ser denegada la comunión a aquellos que se arrodillan. Por el contrario, en estos casos debe abordarse pastoralmente la situación proporcionando a los fieles una catequesis adecuada sobre los motivos de la norma de la comunión de rodillas” Esta noticia es para explicar la im-portancia de esta catequesis y para dar las razones por qué se debe recibir la comunión de pie o parados en esta parro-quia. Dios los bendiga.
16 de Octubre del 2011 29º Domingo del tiempo Ordinario 3
E s gran desafío para nosotros aceptarnos el uno al otro como iguales. Es absolutamente otra cosa pensar en otros como superiores. Nuestra naturaleza humana nos conduce a pensar en nosotros mismos teniendo el camino de la sabiduría y el conocimiento. Esto comenzó en un lugar que conocemos como el Jardín de Edén. Había algo del árbol que Adán y Eva no podían comer, pero lo hicieron de todos modos. Ellos quisieron saber mas que Dios que los creo, juz-gando ello mismos que y que no podían. Si hubieran intentado
permanecer iguales a Dios, quizás hubiera sido mejor. Adán y Eva habrían podido dar a Dios la ventaja de la duda en la restricción del árbol, y podrían demandar otra parte del jardín como el césped. Pero, aun siendo iguales no era bastante. Intentaron ser mejores que Dios.
Esta es la razón por la cual la vida de Cristo es tan difícil
entender para la gente de este tiempo, y por qué sigue siendo el gran desafío de todos los tiempos. Cristo no sólo pensó en otros como superiores a él. Él los trató otros como superiores. De sujetarse a un bautismo humano, a proveer el pan y los pescados a las muchedumbres, a lavar los pies de los discípulos, a su sacrificio en la cruz, Cristo miraba las necesidades de los otros más que al propio. Como el Hijo de Dios, verdaderamente superior a otros, pero su vida era un servicio humildad a los demás. Su camino a la cruz no era de disputa o vanagloria sino de sacrificio por cada persona, en cada edad. La llamada al discipulado es la invitación a nuestra propia cami-nata de humildad y servicio a otros en su nombre, hagámoslo para ser ver-daderos hijos de Dios.
“Nada lo hagan por disputa o por
vanagloria; antes bien con humildad,
estimando cada uno a los demás como
superiores a él mismo; no mirando cada uno por lo suyo
propio, sino cada cual también por lo
de los otros.” (Filipenses 2,3-4)
De nuestro Párroco, Padre Jack Sewell Consulta gratis de una en-fermera en la parroquia Este Miércoles 19 de Octubre Vengan y dialoguen en privado con una enfermera del Hospital Mission sobre preguntas y preocupaciones de salud; incluyendo el asesoramiento alimenticio, enfrentando los cambios de la vida, consejos sobre presión ar-terial y recursos para usted y su fami-lia. Las visitas son el tercer miércoles de cada mes entre 4 y 6pm. La consul-ta es totalmente gratis. Para mas infor-mación favor de llamar a Maria Ayala, enfermera del Hospital Mis-sion al 364-1400 x 5063. Fiesta de Disfraces El Grupo Juvenil Alfa y Omega los invita a su fiesta anual de disfraces. Esta se realizará el próximo viernes 21 de octubre de 6 a 10 de la noche en el Patio de la Escuela. El precio de los boletos es de $8 antes y de $10 en la puerta. Los esperamos. Habrá venta de comida. Concierto de Alabanza El Grupo de Jóvenes para Cristo, los invita a su concierto anual, el sábado 29 de octubre de 6 a 10 de la noche. Estarán el Grupo Los Búhos y el Gru-po Shalom. La donación será de $5. Habrá venta de comida. No falten.
Cuestionario Compromiso de los Miembros Si ustedes no tuvieron la oportunidad de llenar el cuestionario parroquial las semanas pasadas, pueden hacerlo hoy des-pués de Misa. Es la última oportunidad para dar a conocer sus opiniones.
Campaña de Donación de Sangre El próximo domingo 18 de octubre, de 9 de la mañana a 3 de la tarde, los Caballeros de Colón estarán patrocinando un día de donación de sangre. Por favor, ayude a ayudar. La mayoría de hispanos tienen un tipo de sangre que es compatible con otras. Es decir, que ustedes pueden salvar muchas vidas. Vengan a ayudar a hermanos en necesidad.
Bienvenidos a la Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Fátima 2
Calendario Octubre 16—23 Domingo Evento Notas 1pm Misa Dominical 2da Colecta / Campaña Capital
Martes Evento Notas 7 - 9pm Jóvenes Para Cristo Iglesia 7 - 9pm Ángeles de Fátima (Adolecentes) Mod. 8
Miércoles Evento Notas 6-7:30pm Formación de Fe para Niños salones de la escuela 4 - 6pm Visita de enfermera del Hospital de Mission Mod. 1 / pagina 3
Viernes Evento Notas 7-9pm Grupo Juvenil Alfa Y Omega (18-35 años) Mod. 8
Sábado Evento Notas 4-5pm Confesiones Iglesia
Jueves Evento Notas 7 - 9pm Jóvenes Para Cristo (Equipo)
Lunes Evento Notas 6pm Orientación para la Confirmación Iglesia 7pm Alcohólicos Anónimos Mod. 1
Proceso Para Bautizar Para bautizar la familia tiene que estar registrada en la parroquia. Si no lo está, tiene que registrarse inmediatamente, familias no registradas y que no viven en la área de San Clemente tendrán que registrarse y esperar 6 meses para obtener la fecha de bautismo. Si desean bautizar y ya están registrados, para pedir una fecha tiene que ve-
nir a la Oficina Parroquial, por lo menos con un mes de anticipación. El cupo para este Sacramento es li-mitado, por favor comuníquense a tiempo. Al llenar la registración para el bautismo, se les entregara un folleto de información y fechas que se re-quieres para poder bautizar. Entrevista, Presentación, Platicas y finalmente el Bautismo. (Niños de 6 años o mas, tendrán que llevar otro proceso, favor de contactar a Rosa Rama 492-4101x119)
105 N. La Esperanza • San Clemente, CA 92672 • 949-492-4101 • Fax 949-492-4856 www.olfchurch.net
29º Domingo del Tiempo Ordinario 16 de Octubre del 2011
Una Comunidad Eucaristía Viviendo La Buena Noticia Diariamente
Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Fátima San Clemente, California
L a trayectoria de todas las culturas está llena de historias con decisiones fatídicas. La gente muchas
veces se encuentra frente a dos puertas, una lleva al desastre, la otra a una dicha incalculable. El famoso poema de Robert Frost “The Road Not Taken” (El Camino no Tomado) subraya el hecho de que nuestras decisiones cambian para siempre el curso de nuestra vida. Semana tras semana se nos brinda la oportunidad de declarar a quién pertenecemos, al dios minúsculo del dinero y las posesiones o al gran Dios a quien Jesús llamó Abba, que en arameo (el idioma de Jesús) quiere decir papá o papaíto. El domingo algunos de nosotros ponemos en la colecta aquello que pensamos es lo suficiente o tal vez una cantidad habitual que nunca echaremos de menos, o si no, el cambio que tengamos en el bolsillo en ese momento. ¿Y si enfocáramos esto desde otro ángulo? Cuando recibimos un beneficio financiero, ya sea por el sueldo, por algún subsidio personal, por el rendimiento de una inversión, algún tipo de bono o aun la ganancia inesperada en la lotería, hemos de dar gracias en primer lugar a Dios por tal bendición. Después debemos sacar una porción (la cantidad es decisión nuestra) y compartirla agradecidamente con los demás; una mitad para construir la Iglesia y la otra para alguna causa buena de nuestra predilección. Esta actitud pone a Dios como la mayor prioridad de nuestra vida. En gratitud por el inmenso amor que Dios nos tiene debemos primero devolver una porción de lo que hemos recibido antes de quedarnos con el resto. Las Escrituras nos desafían a dar de los “primeros frutos” y no de la parte mínima que nos sobra después de hacer lo que hemos querido. Las investigaciones científicas modernas demuestran que las personas que dan generosamente tienden a vivir más tiempo y más felices. Además, dar con gratitud cambia nuestra manera de pensar sobre la vida y nos hace verdaderamente responsables por las constantes bendiciones que recibimos de Dios.
