Stewardship. I hate the word in the context of the Christian life. It has gone the way of "ministry," sharing, love, justice and even "mass." We have redefined these concepts to work in the Humpty-Dumpty looking-glass world-- "a word means what I say that it means, nothing more, nothing less."

According to The Episcopal Church the "Working Definition" of Christian Stewardship is
the "grateful and responsible use of God's gifts in the light of God's purpose as revealed in Jesus Christ....This definition comes from the Standing Rules of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center.

An ancestor of mine was Theobald FitzWalter, who accompanied Henry II into Ireland,and was created hereditary Chief Butler of Ireland 1177, He took his family took their surname from this office, it was the Butler who, in large medieval households, was the person in charge of the wine. Centuries later, James Butler Ormond succeeded as 12th earl in 1633. After being defeated by Cromwell in 1649, Butler fled abroad to join Charles II. On the Restoration of the Stuart monarchy, he was made Lord High Steward of the Household and regained his stewardship of Ireland.

The Steward of the Household was in charge of the affairs of runnning the household of the sovereign. The "stuff" was NOT his to use as he pleased, but use in the Name of the Sovereign. The movie Vatel is a wonderfilled true story of the steward of Prince de Conde of France.



"May God help us not to spoil His work" (Bl. Mother Theresa)