In the 1946 production featuring James Stewart as character George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, a small town businessman is confronted with the overwhelming struggles of life. In his frustration and feeling of inadequateness, George wishes he had never been born and is granted that wish when he sees what life would be like if he had never existed. At certain times in our lives, especially for myself in particular, we often wonder what sort of impact we are making on this world. If we were to die today, what would our impact be? How would people remember us?

We may strive to change the world believing that our own talents will lead us to true success. However, our talents are for naught if they are not used within the overarching plan of the Creator. How then, do we know what the plan may be or how to use our talents for them? The answer is crystal in today’s first reading: live the truth in love growing ever closer to Christ, who is the head. St. Paul says that I am not alone in this pilgrimage to holiness, rather, I am using my talents as a integral portion of God’s plan in order to achieve it. My talents and gifts allow me to fulfill God’s vision for me and for the world. Little faithful actions and conversations which seem miniscule and irrelevant to us may fulfill God’s plan perfectly. God uses us in such vast fashions, that I imagine we would be astounded by the daily impacts we make on people. Our talents are a reflection of God’s trust in our abilities to build his greater kingdom.

When we doubt our abilities or quite possibly, our daily impacts on the world, remember that Christ is the head and with him, we can do more than we ever imagined. Our acts should reflect the glory of Christ and in doing so, bring Him to all those we encounter. When in doubt or frustration, we ought to remember, God is the head, we are his body. Just as out body works together, so too are we working for one common cause: the cause of Christ in order to bring our own souls and the souls of others ever more close to His heart.