At Creighton, I work with Catholic school educators who are preparing to be principals and I am currently teaching a class on school law. As you might imagine, it is a complex course. After all, so much of school law has to do with interpersonal relations, and a school is one of the most organizationally complex social constructs one could conceive. As my students work through nuanced legal scenarios from week to week, it is easy to see how they struggle with not knowing every single fact about every scenario, and how those knowledge gaps make it difficult for them to know what to do. I find myself reminding them often that they will rarely have all the information that they think they need to make a decision, and all we can do is use what we know to discern a response that promotes a greater good.
Now, you might not be an aspiring school leader wrestling with complex legal issues. But, perhaps you have noticed the complexity of the interpersonal encounters of which you have been a part, and that even then we might not have all the information that we want or need. And, maybe that brings about a level of distress or a sense of desolation. Today’s readings challenge us to accept the reality of not knowing, reminding us of the importance of bringing our own spiritual gifts to bear on those situations where not knowing is to be expected.
Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians, from which the first reading is drawn, are rich with language about spiritual gifts. What is a spiritual gift? It is granted unto us by the Holy Spirit. Spiritual gifts are not kept for ourselves. Rather, they are gifts that we give freely to others around us. In today’s readings, Paul is reminding us of a “more excellent way.” While we may be blessed with different spiritual gifts, the most important thing is that their use be a genuine expression of love. I think this is a heartening perspective that brings some peace when the knowledge that we so desperately desire eludes us.
One line from today’s Gospel that drew the focus of my reflection was the last one, “But wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” I really toiled over how it is connected to the greater context of today’s readings. Perhaps Jesus’s words have to do with how our task is not to understand every single thing, but rather, amid the uncertainty, we need only to apply our spiritual gifts with a genuine love for our neighbors.
So, whether you are dealing with complicated legal scenarios in some complex organization, or maybe just working through nuanced interpersonal issues with those you know and love, my prayer for you is that you will take the time to discern your spiritual gifts. May that discernment inspire you to share your gifts generously with a loving heart, and that through it all you will find some peace in how you respond to the inherent complexity of an uncertain world.
Ronald Fussell
Dr. Fussell serves as Assistant Professor of Education and is an instructor in Creighton’s online graduate educational leadership programs. In his role, he teaches courses for aspiring Catholic school leaders and he directs the Graduate Certificate in Catholic School Leadership program. A passionate advocate for Catholic education, Dr. Fussell is honored to have a national voice regarding important topics such as lay Catholic educator faith formation, Catholic school identity, and Catholic school leadership development. One of his favorite ways to share his voice is in writing reflections for Creighton’s Online Ministries. Dr. Fussell lives just outside Omaha and enjoys spending time with his wife and his two adult children.
