Gifted For Good

A Reflection on the Second Reading for May 23rd, 2021:
The Solemnity of Pentecost Sunday

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1 Corinthians
12.3b-7, 12-13

Brothers and sisters: No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

In my first few weeks of grad school, I found myself in a conversation with a minister from another Christian tradition. In our getting-to-know-you conversation my field of study, a Masters in Divinity, came up. Immediately, the minister said, “But you’re Catholic!” I smiled politely and replied, “Yes. Yes, I am.” His comment implied: why would a Catholic woman do a degree that (usually) leads to ordination? I chose it because I knew with certainty then, as I do now, that I have a place and role in the Catholic Church and I needed to learn more about my faith. Ordination not required. Many good and faithful women and men — ordained, religious, and lay — have assured me of my place. More importantly, God supplied me with His gifts in order to fulfill a role in His Church. The words of Saint Paul to the disciples in Corinth reiterates this fact to me.  


Even though I know this truth, I still compare myself to others — often. Theodore Roosevelt is quoted as saying, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Is it ever! When I start to compare what I believe I have with what others have, nine times out of ten, I feel I am lacking. Yet God gifted me just as much as anyone. I am just as gifted as my coworker whose presentations are always perfection, or my friend who always knows what to say and when to say it. And my neighbour who constantly plays his music way too loud, or the young woman at the grocery store overwhelmed by life, or the minister who questioned my educational choice — they’re also just as gifted as I am. God doesn’t love me any more or any less than anyone else! We were made different by the same God to witness and create God’s goodness. No exceptions. The uniqueness of each of us is God’s gift to us. Our gift to God is to use that uniqueness to bring us together; to do more good!


If our pandemic lockdowns have taught me anything, it is the reminder that we were not meant to be alone. We do not function well when people are not using their skills, talents, and abilities to bring about truth, beauty, and good. Yes, we all need alone time. Hello my fellow introverts! However, some of my best moments of growth have been a group effort. Instances where each person put forward the best of what they had to offer not to benefit themselves as individuals but to benefit us all. We were made for communion with one another through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Only in that communion can our gifts actually be gifts. Gifts need to be given to someone. And because God has gifted each of us uniquely, each one of us is necessary and needed in this life. Each one of us has a role, a place. “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” So let’s do some good!




Aurea Sadi

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