The Joy of Giving

Week 3 - November 23 - 29

In a world that says, “Hold on,” Giving invites us to let go for love’s sake. Christ measures our worth not by what we keep, but by what we share. When we give generously to His Church, we are not losing—we are investing in eternity.

OPENING PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, Source of every good and perfect gift, we come before You with grateful hearts.
You have given us life, faith, and the promise of eternal love through Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Lord, teach us the true joy of giving— not from duty or fear, but from hearts overflowing with gratitude. May we see in every act of generosity a reflection of Your own boundless mercy.

Holy Spirit, open our eyes to the needs of others, and open our hands to share what we have received. Bless our parish family, O Lord, that through this journey we may grow in faith, hope and love. May the joy of giving draw us ever closer to You, and may our lives bear witness to Your goodness.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

CLICK TO WATCH FATHER'S HOMILY

CLICK TO READ THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE READINGS

First Reading: David is anointed King of Israel
Psalm: Reminds us to go with joy to the house of the Lord
Second Reading: Reminds us that in Him all things hold together
Gospel Reading: Jesus promises the “good thief” paradise

GOSPEL INSIGHTS

As we honor Christ the King, we proclaim that He is Lord not only of heaven and earth—but also of our family, finances and future.

Every time we give generously, we declare: “Christ reigns over my priorities, my paycheck, my possessions, my life.”

Giving is an act of trust, showing that we believe God will provide for our needs. Our financial gifts make His Kingdom visible—feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, and sharing the Gospel.

In a world that says, “Hold on,” Giving invites us to let go for love’s sake. Christ measures our worth not by what we keep, but by what we share. When we give generously to His Church, we are not losing—we are investing in eternity.

This Christ the King Sunday, may our offerings reflect our devotion to the One who gave everything for us.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DIALOGUE

Take some time to reflect on this week’s message and discuss with your group:

What does it mean for you personally to say, “Christ is my King”?
Where in your life do you sense Christ inviting you to greater trust and surrender?
In Matthew 25, Jesus identifies Himself with the hungry, the sick, and the imprisoned. How does this shape the way we see and serve others?
If someone looked at our parish, what signs would they see that we are building up the Kingdom of God?
How has your involvement in ministry that builds up the Kingdom impacted you?

SCRIPTURE FOR MEDITATION

Matthew 25:40: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Philippians 2:9-11: “God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Colossians 1:17-18: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

PRAY

Spend time each day thanking God for what you have and asking for the courage to give generously.
Pray for a generous spirit among our community.

ACT

Turn in your Commitment Card this week (if you have not already)
Joyfully DO a work of mercy (feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, clothing the naked...)

INSPIRE

Share how your Church has impacted you with someone.
Invite someone to join you for Advent Wreath Making next weekend.

INTERSESSIONS FOR THE GROUP

Take some time to pray together for the persons or people on the Hearts of your small group members.

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord Jesus, our King and Savior, thank You for teaching us that true greatness comes from giving and serving. Help us to trust You with all that we have and all that we are.

May our lives reflect Your love, and may our hearts overflow with generosity.

Strengthen us to build up Your Kingdom here on earth, so that others may see Your light and give glory to You.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Week 2 - November 16 - 22

The “Joy of Giving” is not about losing what we have, but about discovering the freedom that comes from generosity. Letting go of fear and self-preservation opens us to grace. In giving, we become part of God’s ongoing work of renewal in the world. Let us loosen the grip we have on control, on money and on power seeking first what God is calling us to.

OPENING PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, Source of every good and perfect gift, we come before You with grateful hearts.
You have given us life, faith, and the promise of eternal love through Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Lord, teach us the true joy of giving— not from duty or fear, but from hearts overflowing with gratitude. May we see in every act of generosity a reflection of Your own boundless mercy.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

CLICK TO WATCH FATHER'S HOMILY

CLICK TO READ THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE READINGS

First Reading: A call to humility.
Second Reading: Encouragement to press on with faith.
Gospel Reading: Jesus reminds us that the things of this world will pass away; we are invited to persevere through life’s trials with hope.

GOSPEL INSIGHTS

This week’s Gospel reminds us that all earthly things will eventually pass away. When the disciples admired the beauty of the temple, Jesus shifted their focus to what endures forever — God’s kingdom and the renewal of the heart.

When Christ renews our hearts, everything changes — even how we see money, time, and possessions. The “old self” clings tightly, fearing loss; the “new self” trusts in God’s abundance and gives with joy.

The “Joy of Giving” is not about losing what we have, but about discovering the freedom that comes from generosity. Letting go of fear and self-preservation opens us to grace. In giving, we become part of God’s ongoing work of renewal in the world. Let us loosen the grip we have on control, on money and on power seeking first what God is calling us to.

This week, ask the Lord:

“What needs to pass away in me so something new can grow?”

When we live and give as new creations, our generosity becomes a sign of resurrection — proof that Christ is alive in us.

Last week, we shared our hopes and dreams for the future of the Church in Walnut Creek. As we continue this journey, reflect on this question:

What is your new hope for our community here in Walnut Creek? How can you help support this hope coming to fruition?

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DIALOGUE

Take some time to reflect on this week’s message and discuss with your group:

What are you most grateful for about your Church Community ?
Who has been generous towards you? How did that make a difference in your life?
What old habits, fears, or attachments might be holding you back from giving generously?
Is your giving motivated more by obligation or by joy? How might it reflect more of Christ’s new life?
How could your renewed sense of giving positively impact your parish, family, or community?
Have you ever seen your generosity come back to you in abundance?

SCRIPTURE FOR MEDITATION

“Remember not the events of the past, the things of long ago consider not;
See, I am doing something new!
Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
— Isaiah 43:18–19

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.
The one who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’”
— Revelation 21:5

PRAY

Spend time in prayer this week asking God to renew your heart.
Pray for the grace to let go of fear and to trust in His abundance.
Thank God for the gift of His Church, and pray specifically for the aspect of Church life you feel especially grateful for.

ACT

Prayerfully complete your Commitment Card to bring back with you next Sunday.
Reach out and learn about a new ministry offered at SMIC or SJV.

INSPIRE

Share a story of generosity that has inspired you.
Encourage a friend to fill out their commitment card too.

INTERSESSIONS FOR THE GROUP

Take some time to pray together for the persons or people on the Hearts of your small group members.

CLOSING PRAYER

Loving God, You make all things new. Renew our hearts, our parish, and our community through the gift of joyful generosity.

May our giving become love in motion, and our lives become reflections of Your grace. Help us to trust that when we give from the heart, You multiply every gift beyond what we can imagine.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Week 1 - November 9 - 15 - Trusting in God's Plan

In this tour, we will reflect on how to trust God as our provider, see ourselves as disciples, and find JOY IN GIVING. True happiness comes when we use God's gifts generously and share His Blessings with others.

Fr. William’s vision for 2026 invites each of us to take part—how is God calling you to help our parish become a true reflection of His presence in our community?

OPENING PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, Source of every good and perfect gift, we come before You with grateful hearts.
You have given us life, faith, and the promise of eternal love through Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Lord, teach us the true joy of giving— not from duty or fear, but from hearts overflowing with gratitude. May we see in every act of generosity a reflection of Your own boundless mercy.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

CLICK TO WATCH FATHER'S HOMILY

CLICK TO READ THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE READINGS

First Reading: Reminds us of the life-giving presence of God and of the many earthly blessings that feed and heal us.
Second Reading: Reminds us that we are a temple of the Holy Spirit and encourages us to build our foundation on Christ.
Gospel Reading: Shows the importance Christ placed on the Temple being a place of worship and reminds us of the attitude we should have toward it.

GOSPEL INSIGHTS

In the Gospel, Jesus is upset—not with the actions of others, but with the location of their actions. He isn’t angered by the buying and selling themselves, but by the fact that these activities were taking place in the Temple—a space meant for worship.

This likely happened gradually, as commerce slowly made its way into a place meant for prayer. That’s often how distance in our relationship with God happens—slowly and gradually—but we are always invited to go deeper and return back to God with our whole hearts.

One of our first encounters in scripture with Jesus in the temple is after he was lost for three days. Mary and Joseph, certainly frantic, finally found their son and Lord, in the Temple. Jesus’ response was astonishing. He asked His mother, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2). From an early age, Jesus showed deep respect and relationship with His Father’s house—a place He would visit as a child and continue into adulthood.

When you think about Jesus’ righteous anger in the Temple, what does it stir in you? His actions reveal a deep love for His Father’s house and a desire for worship that is pure and sincere. Are there areas in your life where worldly concerns or distractions have taken priority over your relationship with God? As you reflect on our Catholic Churches in Walnut Creek, what are your hopes for how we can grow together in faith, prayer, and love? Fr. William’s vision for 2026 invites each of us to take part—how God be calling you to help our parish become a true reflection of His presence in our community?

In Jesus’ time, the heart of temple worship was sacrifice. Today, while our sacrifices to God are no longer animals, we bring forward bread and wine—the work of our hands—which are transformed into His Body and Blood to nourish us. In this sacred exchange, God gives us the very gift we offer Him, returning it to us as the most precious gift of all: Himself. God cannot be outdone in generosity.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DIALOGUE

Take some time to reflect on this week’s message and discuss with your group:

We, like the temple, are made for worship. What are some of your favorite ways to worship God?
Do you recognize yourself as a temple of the Holy Spirit? Why or why not?
How does your Church community support your relationship with Christ?
How do you, in turn, support your Church community?
What are your hopes and dreams for the Catholic Church in Walnut Creek? Who would you like to see next to you at mass that isn’t currently there?

SCRIPTURE PASSAGES

“God loves a cheerful giver.” — 2 Corinthians 9:6–7

“But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” — Matthew 6:20–21

I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in my statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them. You will live in the land I gave to your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. — Ezekiel 36:26

PRAY

Pray for your church community—that God may pour out a spirit of generosity upon all parishioners.
Pray for those who are preparing to enter our Catholic Community through OCIA.
Pray with the Commitment Card you have received

ACT

Perform one intentional act of generosity this week.
Write a note of gratitude to someone who serves in your parish community.
Spend a few quiet moments in prayer at church, thanking God for the blessings you’ve received

INSPIRE

Be the first to smile. A cheerful spirit can be a small yet powerful act of generosity that lifts others’ hearts.
Share your story. Tell a friend or family member how God’s generosity has impacted you.
Invite someone to Mass. Extend a simple invitation to someone who hasn’t been in a while—sometimes all it takes is a friendly nudge.

INTERSESSIONS FOR THE GROUP

Take some time to pray together for the persons or people on the Hearts of your small group members.

CLOSING PRAYER

Loving God, we thank You for gathering us together to reflect on Your Word and Your call to generosity. You have blessed us with so much—faith, family, this small group community, and the promise of eternal life. Help us to remember that you cannot be outdone in generosity. May we respond to Your goodness with open hearts and willing hands. Let every act of generosity draw us closer to You and to one another.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Joy of Giving

Week 3 - November 23 - 29

Week 2 - November 16 - 22

Week 1 - November 9 - 15 - Trusting in God's Plan

St. John Vianney Catholic Church