RBWords

     One of the challenging tasks of pastoral life is the discernment of gifts.  How does a leader detect the right person for a given task?  Some tasks seem more attractive and there will be many people who want the opportunity to "try their hand" at taking charge of them.  Other tasks will seem less glamorous, even if doing them is necessary for the development of the more attractive ones!  Competition for the latter can be a headache, just as lack of competition or even interest in the former can be just as big a headache.

     St. Paul's words today remind us that the gifts of the Spirit are given to each individual in an individual way, but they are given to be used for the common good.  I belong to a religious order that elects its leadership for fixed terms.  When we gather before an election (what we call a "caucus."), the first thing we do is identify what the community needs from a leader at the time, and then we "surface" names of brothers whom we think might have the gifts needed.  It is not an easy task, nor should it be a popularity contest.

     Occasionally a person may be identified as having more than one particular gift but thinks more highly of one than the other.  Asking that person to use the gift he or she likes less for the benefit of the community can be a challenge as well.  The task of leadership is to keep the big picture and the common good in mind and to inspire the community to think the same way.  That, in itself, is a great gift.   What we can all be sure of is that the Spirit has not left any of us out of the gift distribution.  We can humbly accept what we have received and use if for the good of all.  AMEN