“According to the Grace Given to Us”
Brothers and sisters:
We, though many, are one Body in Christ
and individually parts of one another.
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,
let us exercise them:
if prophecy, in proportion to the faith;
if ministry, in ministering;
if one is a teacher, in teaching;
if one exhorts, in exhortation;
if one contributes, in generosity;
if one is over others, with diligence;
if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be sincere;
hate what is evil,
hold on to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection;
anticipate one another in showing honor.
Do not grow slack in zeal,
be fervent in spirit,
serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope,
endure in affliction,
persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the holy ones,
exercise hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you,
bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Have the same regard for one another;
do not be haughty but associate with the lowly.
“According to the grace given to us”, that is a beautiful phrase. For me it means that my call is given to me by the grace of God. We all have a call, a unique and different calling for which we are given to serve God. For me it is hanging out on the streets, fixing meals, walking with the untouchales. I was called to ministry as a young boy and have pursued that call with all of my heart through the years, it has never been far from me, even in the times that I have been so away from God. It has changed faces, but always the same–to be a priest–and as I look back I see that my call has always been to those that no one else wants to work with, it has always been one of simplicity, and that is why even in the most difficult times I am content, I am happy. It is strange, for years I never said I was happy, but content. I saw happiness as being giddy, laughing all the time, but happiness is the utmost in contentment, even in the worst of times and I am extremely happy. So the question I always asked people these days is what really makes you happy, content, satisfied with life–a life that is fulfilled with out having physical contentment and economic well being–what truly makes you happy-and content.
I spent yesterday in Vallejo for the service on same sex marriage remembering our defeat a year ago and wishing Maine the best. It was an excellent service. I came home and did outreach and I found myself thinking the different worlds I move in. The one of privilege and middle class, and then the one of disprivileged and so much pain. People were simply out of it last night. It is the first of the month and they have money for the most part and so they were high on drugs, drugs covers a multitude of need for them, they do not feel a thing. The street seemed quiet, but I had my hands full. It was an excellent night. Deo Gratis! Thanks be to God!
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