At this point in the first letter to the Corinthians, Paul changes his focus and begins to talk about spiritual gifts, another point of contention in the Christian community. “Some people God has designated in the Church to be, first, Apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28).
It is important for us to remember that at this point in the history of the Church, administrative structures had not yet evolved. Consequently, contention arose when a person with one sort of gift was chosen as leader over a person with another sort of gift. St. Paul tries to emphasize that the gift is not the important issue. Rather, he wishes to stress that the source of the gift, the Holy Spirit, is of preeminent importance. Of second importance is the use of the gift for the benefit of the community. Rather than appropriate the gift for oneself, St. Paul maintains that the gift only has value when it is used for the community. If the person could speak in tongues but chose not to use the gift when the community was in need of it, then the gift lost any sort of importance.
We would do well to listen carefully today. Just as God did not create two snowflakes that are exactly alike, no two humans are exactly the same. We all have gifts, different gifts in different proportions. They are all of value ONLY if they are used to further the growth and development of the community. In late 20th century parlance, this notion was expressed in the familiar saying, “Share the faith.” Appropriating it for oneself simply relegates the gift to the shelf where it will gather dust, get moldy and disintegrate.
This teaching is the basis for our championing the gift of life in all its forms with all its limitations. For just as we all possess certain gifts, we are all limited in one way or another. People with chronic illness or disability know this for certain. Our illnesses and disabilities help us to appreciate our gifts as well as the gifts of others.
Let us, therefore, give praise to the Holy Spirit today as we contemplate the gifts which we have received. Let us also resolve to place our gifts at the disposal of the Church for the sake of the development of faith in all peoples.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator