On Pentecost Sunday, May 24, one of the readings will be from First Corinthians, beginning with chapter 12.
This happens to be one of my favorites.
To me, this explains not only our own gifts from the Holy Spirit but also how God has gifted us with each other — not by being the same, but by being different. St. Paul tells the Corinthians that each person is given different gifts but by the same spirit. How beautiful that is! Thanks to be to God that this was all part of His plan for us!
To be all the same like a bunch of manufactured drones would make the world so dull and seemingly lifeless. Thankfully, we are not all the same and therefore, we are a gift to each other.
In my life, I have always enjoyed meeting new people, visiting new places, taking in new experiences, trying and learning new things. My parents enjoyed traveling and my dad traveled extensively in his work, so you could say I came by my preference for new things and places naturally. I was also alone for 11 years until my sister was born, so I had plenty of time to sit with the adults, having been admonished to sit quietly, not interrupt and speak when spoken to. During those years of listening, I took in a lot of family history, culture, adventures and a little wisdom along the way. I guess it made me appreciate all the different personalities and characters of the family. And even though the family may come from different directions in their opinions and perspectives, they still came together as a common family.
I was very fortunate to experience the gifts shared by numerous great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
These unique relatives and perspectives also provided examples of human character. Some I hoped to emulate when I grew into adulthood and some were a good example of what experience or traits to steer clear of! And all that childhood experience not only provided a deep appreciaition of different cultures and people but of God’s plan that life was intended to be that way … different gifts, same spirit.
And if you go beyond the Pentecost Sunday reading of Corinthians, you will read St. Paul’s instruction on belonging as he uses the examples of the body. Corinthians reminds us so beautifully that all the gifts we receive from the spirit make us one, and all our gifts and differences are unified under one God. What a tremendous gift to know that we belong—to God, and, despite our unique design and function, we need other and we belong together.
I reflected on this idea of our gifts recently as I sat at the funeral for Father Richard Kramer. Looking around and seeing the packed church and hearing the warm stories of how folks knew him and why they came to his Mass, made me think that a priest’s funeral is a good example of just what Corinthians means.
It also occurred to me that a priest’s funeral would make a good vocation tool. The written obituary shows us how involved a priest like Father Kramer was in not only so many aspects of parish life, but also of life in the world. The attendance provided an illustration of impact — a visual example of how one person’s gifts affects others in addition to how that life impacts parishes and entire communities.
While it may be sad to lose those gifts, it can inspire us to get busy and use our own. A funeral of one whose life was full and well-lived always helps us remind ourselves to make good use of the time we have been given.
The beautiful instruction in Corinthians would make a great gift not only for someone considering a vocation or to whom you want to suggest such consideration, but also for any graduate or engaged couple you may know.
And for everyone’s reflection, Corinthians gives us appreciation for diversity, unity, and all the gifts God has bestowed upon us by His great love. Start your summer with a good read of it.
