Word to the Wise
Tuesday, November 5, 2013 - Tuesday in the 31th Week in Ordinary Time
[Rom 12:5-16ab and Luke 14:15-24]We, though many, are one Body in Christ and individually parts of one another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes in generosity; if one is over others with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. [Romans]
Catholic pastors know well the old threesome: time, treasure and talent. Unfortunately the emphasis all too often lands on "treasure," and time and talent get lost. St. Paul's words today speak to talent (implying time as well to use the talent). When I was a campus pastor, I often would say at the beginning of the year that a student might not be able to contribute a lot of treasure, but he or she could truly give of their talent and time. (I do admit saying at the beginning of the year that a donation of the cost of a large pizza each month would help a lot!). It could be difficult to get students to admit they had a particular talent and even more difficult to get them to use it at the campus ministry! I found the same to be true at the parish I pastored later on in San Antonio.
An invitation is sometimes needed from the pastor, that is true, not just a general invitation in the bulletin but a personal one. At the same time, I urge all my Beloved Congregation to think about their talents and how those may be brought to bear on witnessing to the gospel. This doesn't have to be in the parish ministry. It could be personal and not publically noticeable. It can be amazing how much good can be done if we do more than just go to church and then go home to other things unconnected to the faith. As St. Paul points out, we belong to one another because we are all members of the Body of Christ. How can a body survive if many of the parts do nothing at all? AMEN