you to live in a manner worthy of the calling you have received… … But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, In the United States, I am sure I am one of many Catholics who were educated and socialized into the Catholic faith with the themes from this Reading, i.e., that we were each given gifts and that it was our duty to care for them and to practice them. When I think of gifts and of the five gifts noted in this Reading (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher), I am inclusive in my thinking and can apply those gifts in many ways. An apostle can be viewed as a follower, as a leader, and, as a servant leader. (For individuals who teach and practice leadership, they are aware of the body of literature on the concept of servant leadership.) There are a multitude of daily behaviors that each practices as either an apostle or non-apostle of Christ. Many individuals practice the gift of prophecy – they do it by their words and behaviors in leading the rest of us to a more just and humane world. They are two kinds of people, the proverbial ‘person ahead of her time,’ and the individual who quietly projects prophecy on a daily basis. They are the critical thinkers and the visionaries. Everyone has some gift of teaching; this is not left only to the teacher recognized in society. Every parent knows the joys of teaching. Every health provider knows the outcomes of teaching. The individual who is dying teaches his family. My oldest grandson, Adam, teaches his five younger siblings. The colleague who is non-defensive, non-judgmental, non-gossipy, and non-prone to rush to judgment teaches. Writers teach. Public officials teach. And, some have other gifts, i.e., evangelists and pastors. They, too, are found among us. What is your Gift? What is your Calling? What has God graced you with? How do you protect, cherish, nurture, and practice it? Do you recognize the many gifts in others? |