Slideshow image

         This Sunday’s second reading is from Paul, from I Corinthians 12. Like just about everything in Paul’s letters there’s a lot packed into a few verses. The reading is all about the Holy Spirit and how it works in our lives. Some of the statements are “obvious” and some are “puzzling.” For example, “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit” (I Cor. 12:3). That seems kind of obvious… faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit (very Lutheran). However, sometimes our culture treats “faith” like a decision, or choice, something we do when we know enough or experience something. There is some truth to that. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that faith comes from me. When I think about all the deepest things I know in life or have experienced, I can’t say I’ve had control over them. Like meeting my wife, loving my kids, knowing God was with my mom in her dying, etc., etc. Where do those things come from? How do they happen? Paul tells us: the Holy Spirit. And what does it mean to say, “Jesus is Lord”? Every time we PRAY to Christ, we are saying he is Lord. (that’s for another time…)

        The other “obvious” thing in the text is that we all have “gifts from the Spirit” (I Cor. 12:4-11). Usually those gifts are thought of as talents, skills, or particular interests. That’s true, but there’s also more to it than that. Some of the most compassionate people I’ve known aren’t aware of their compassion. Compassion is truly a gift of the Spirit. I talked to someone the other day who has taken care of their severely disabled wife for 10 years (she had a stroke), and knows God supports him, but would he call that the spiritual gift of faith? Maybe. After hearing more of his story, he had faith and perseverance before her stroke—gifts of the Spirit!

Paul says we all have spiritual gifts that God has given us to help others, to build up the community, to make a difference. Therefore, we need each other—or in Southern, we need “all y’all!”—we can’t “go it alone.” Besides, it’s more fun having fun with others anyway!

Peace,

Pr. Christian