It’s all over the news, more and more these days, about how poorly we have taken care of our planet. We now suffer from global warming, pollution of our air and water, and climate change. All-in-all, we have not been good stewards of the earth that God created for us to live. Our selfishness to have ‘stuff,” the enjoyment of convenience, and the ability to go anywhere we want in the world – via cars and airplanes – have all played a role in our destruction of our environment. And, I am only touching the surface. We have not been good stewards of our planet. But, what does mean to be a steward? Well, a steward is someone in charge of taking care of things for someone else. It could be their home, finances, or land. A ‘Good’ Steward then is someone who does that job well. So, I pose the question: “What does it mean to be a good steward of God’s love?”

In 1 Peter 4:1-11, Peter warns his reader that we will all have a judgement day before God and that we should always practice discipline – “To live for the rest of our earthly life – no longer by human desires but by the will of God…Above all, maintain constant love for one another; for love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:2; 8). St. Peter calls us to be “Good Stewards” of God’s love! And, how does God love us? By sending His Son to die on a cross so that our sins are forgiven. Jesus Christ made it possible for us to be forgiven. Therefore, it is how we are to ‘love’ others – by forgiving others. Are we doing a good job at forgiving others? Have we been good stewards of God’s love?

To be a good steward of God’s love, we are called to forgive others as Jesus Christ forgives us.

Let us pray, Gracious God, forgiving others is so hard sometimes. Help us to be a good steward of your love – give us your power of forgiveness and be serious in our love for you by maintaining a constant love for others. In your name we pray, Amen.