May the Lord give you peace and health in the Holy Spirit. It is 7th November 2023. We reflect on Romans 12:5-16 and Luke 14:15-24.
Are we sharing or shelving the gifts?
Gifts are for the use of the Body of Christ and there is purpose for every gift we have received from the Lord. Aspiring to do the best of our ability with the gift that is entrusted to me for the welfare of the others.
St. Paul invites us to claim the charisma we have within each one of us. Each one must play a role in the Church. Our love for each other must help us to enhance the quality of life of the others by putting our gifts in use. Pacing with the others spiritually and emotionally without dominating and pretending to love. People abuse us and speak ill of us when we do good.
St. Paul listed seven gifts in the first reading are to be at the use of the Body of Christ, the Church. Gifts are prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, almsgiving, administration and works of mercy. Whatever we are bestowed with, we need to share them with others.
We must never give up doing good. When we listen to evil people, we tend to lose the enthusiasm to share what we have. “Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.” (Rom. 12:13,14).
The Gospel teaches us that giving excuse to the Lord is equal to mocking God. When we have lost the sense of value, we begin to prioritize something trivial and leaving the significant one.
Material advantage in life alone is not enough for us to be contented and happy; we need to know the gifts and willing to share with the other in human solidarity beyond all the barriers of mind, culture and attitudes that divide us.
May we be generous enough to put the gifts in the best use of the welfare of the other and remain blessed.
May God bless you.