"You can't outgive God."

29May
Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed, for all that you offer is in fulfillment of the commandment. The offering of the righteous enriches the altar, and its pleasing odor rises before the Most High. The sacrifice of the righteous is acceptable, and it will never be forgotten. Be generous when you worship the Lord, and do not stint the first fruits of your hands. With every gift show a cheerful face, and dedicate your tithe with gladness. Give to the Most High as he has given to you, and as generously as you can afford.
- Sirach 35:6-12

Years ago, when I began working at Trinity in the stewardship office, someone told me, “you can’t outgive God”. Though it may seem obvious, it was a comment that made me realize how generous and steadfast our Creator is. And what better way to acknowledge that generosity of Divine Spirit than to give an offering of thanks in return?

Since today is Memorial Day, I want to suggest that one of our Creator’s gifts to us is to be found in the people who have served our country with their own lives in order to offer us safety, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. I heard Father John Pitzer say at a funeral recently, that if you want to honor someone whom you have loved and lost, choose one aspect of their character that you wish to emulate and go and do likewise.  

Likewise, at a wedding this weekend I witnessed a couple dedicate themselves to one another by symbolically giving and receiving rings to mark their giving of themselves to one another. That bond will be a symbol to everyone else of God's love for us.

When we are baptized and confirmed we are marked as Christ's own forever. In response to that sacrament, we to try to live our lives in gratitude to the One who gave it.

Though I have not known anyone personally who died for our country, I’ve known many saints in the church who have given their best to God and over time find they have offered their lives. Each step we take in gratitude is an offering back to the Source of all that is.

My prayer today is that I may find some small way to go and do likewise.

Musical Reflection - Eternal Father, Strong to Save - U.S. Navy Band

Dear God, wake us up with morning hearts and morning faces. Eager to labor. Happy, if happiness be our part, or if the day be marked for sorrow, strong to endure. Amen.
Old TestamentSacrificeGratitude
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#memorialday #sacrifice #gratitude

Posted by Maria Elliott

Maria Elliott has been Trinity since 1994, first as a parishioner and then for sixteen years establishing the office of stewardship and development, and currently as the Director of Pastoral Care and Spiritual Life. 

WIth a degree in Music and Business from Drake University in her native state of Iowa, Maria went first to New York to work for a concert artist management and then for the Arts department at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.  At the Cathedral, Maria was confirmed, met and married her husband, The Reverend Michael Kuhn, and began an accidental career in the Episcopal Church. She has served on the Diocesan Stewardship Committee, the boards of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship and the Consortium of Endowed Episcopal Parishes, as a Stephen Minister, and currently Education for Ministry Mentor.

Maria’s interests include playing the oboe in the New Orleans Civic Symphony and she is currently training to be a Narrative Enneagram mentor. Her daughters, Hallie Wilkins and Sophie Bedaña are Trinity School alumni. Maria has two grandchildren, Celeste and Alden Wilkins.

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