In the second reading, from 1 Corinthians, Paul speaks of different spiritual gifts and different forms of service. “To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit for some benefit.” I find it easy to berate myself for not being all the things that I think a Christian should strive for. I am not a catechist, theologian, evangelist or person of great faith and consistent prayer life. Paul mentions wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, deeds, prophecy, discernment and tongues. However, “one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.”
Sometimes I remind myself that what God sees is a mosaic. I am like a tile of a particular color that fits into the whole picture, even if the color doesn’t seem impressive by itself. But the artist knows just how it contributes to the whole. In the gospel reading the servants and steward obeyed, doing their assigned jobs without question, not knowing they would be part of a great miracle.
I can’t forget about nurturing all areas of my faith (perhaps those where I am lacking, most of all), but I must also remember that I am given certain strengths and gifts to use generously for the people of God. As a music minister I read with joy what the psalm tells us:
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. Sing to the Lord; bless his name. -June Bowser, cantor, private voice instructor, solo soprano