Word to the Wise
Sunday, January 20, 2013 - 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - C
[Isa 62:1-5; 1 Cor 12:4-11; John 2:1-11]There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord...
At the present time I am in the southern tip of the state of Texas in the Diocese of Brownsville to preach a retreat for Permanent Deacons and spouses. The retreat is bi-lingual in English and Spanish! I am definitely praying for the gift of tongues! St. Paul's wonderful words about gifts and ministries should be posted at every church entrance! As I look at the large gathering of deacons and spouses, I can see a tremendouos diversity of background and talent, but they all serve the same Lord and the same church in this diocese. However, service to God's people is not limited to those who experience a call to ordained ministry. The wives of the deacons would be an example! They participate not only in the deacons' ministry but act on their own.
St. Paul assures us all that we have been gifted in some way for the benefit of the whole church. What is sad to me is that many people simply don't try to realize that gift in some way. The discernment required for this does involve the people being served as well as the one who wishes to serve. Perhaps this is what deters many - the discernment. We may have a notion about our gift(s) that is not helpful to the church. There have been times when I thought one of my religious superiors wanted to emphasize a gift in me that I wasn't particularly interested in exercising! But we must have confidence that the Spirit which brings the gift will also guide the discernment. The important thing is to offer the gift! AMEN