“There
are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different
forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same
God who produces all of them in everyone.
To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some
benefit.”
When the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and all of
those gathered in the Upper Room gifts were given to all and the gifts
differed. All received the same flame of
faith the one gift, but within that gift was also given purpose and
direction. Within each one’s call came
some aspect or aspects of ministry in order to continue the building up of the
Church.
Many are given the gift of the married life, others are
given the gift of solitude and prayer, much like a hermit or cloistered
nun. Others are given the gift of
ordination. Those are the calls to
vocation and within those calls the Holy Spirit gives us the gifts and talents
that are needed to grow personally but also to assist in the building up of the
body of Christ. St. Paul says in another
place, “But grace was given to each of us according to the
measure of Christ’s gift. And he
gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors
and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for
building up the body of Christ . . .” Eph 4:7,11-12
If we all had the same gifts the church and even the
world would be a boring place. In my
years of seminary and in ministry since ordination I have come to find that
people offer their gifts and services in many ways. Being a theology student for a long time I
thought that the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit was learning about our faith,
about those who delved into the eternal mysteries with vigor and every ounce of
their energy. So, theologians and
doctors of the Church like St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Teresa of Avila, John Paul
the Great became my heroes, the ones with the greatest gifts. I viewed all the other gifts as having a
lesser place. However, in my prayer, my
reflection on St. Paul’s teaching on the Church and what I have witnessed as a
priest has taught me otherwise. There
are many gifts each and all of them having eternal value. One of St. Paul’s letters opened my eyes to
this way of thinking and belief, “Now you are Christ’s body, and
individually parts of it.
Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles;
second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance,
administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds?
Do all have gifts of healing? Do all
speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Strive eagerly for the
greatest spiritual gifts.” 1 Cor 12:27-31
The gifts he mentions here I have personally witnessed in
so many folks that I have been able to serve and serve along with. I have seen it when people come together to
help the poor both through their resources and time which we do here at Holy
Family through our giving to the House of Charity and also in the ministries
that we have that help those in need. I
have seen it in those who have given so much of their time to help build this
parish up, countless hours and countless prayers and all done with a spirit of
humility and generosity. I have
experienced in the confessional when people cry out for God’s mercy in their
longing to be holy and one with God.
These are all mighty gifts given to build up the individual but also to
build up our Church, here in our parish, in our diocese, in our world.
Pentecost is the receiving of tongues of fire and those
tongues then enlighten in us an eternal flame to go forth and preach the Good
News. Some do this in healing
ministries, others in ministries to the poor, others in service to their
parish, others in prayer, others in teaching the faith, others in preaching,
and some in total witness in giving their lives literally to Christ as
martyrs. We have all been given gifts on
Pentecost at the birth of the Church today we are reminded of those gifts. I pray you know your gifts and that as a good
and faithful servant you return them back to the Body of Christ in order for
the Church to continue to grow and multiply, not just in number but in
holiness, Amen.
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