Spiritual Gifts
AM Psalm 131, 132, [133] • PM Psalm 134, 135
2 Kings 23:4-25 • 1 Cor. 12:1-11 • Matt. 9:18-26
Sometimes I wonder how my life and faith would be different if I had been raised as a cradle Episcopalian. Nevertheless, a benefit of my life the way it is—I clearly remember my baptism in January 1999, how I stood before the congregation trembling and tearful as I committed to life as a Christian, guided by the tenets of the baptismal covenant. I’m taken back to that moment every time we sing “We know that Christ is raised and dies no more” at a baptism.
Another benefit of coming to Christianity and scripture later in life is that I remember how specific pieces of scripture became alive for me. Today’s passage from 1 Corinthians about spiritual gifts and the immediately following passage—One Body with Many Members—is one of those. I was in the sacristy following the Tuesday evening Healing Service that we used to have, talking with someone about this passage, when the beauty of the diversity of creation and humankind penetrated me in a way it had not before. My first awareness was of St. Paul’s as a church in which there is a place for everyone with their unique gifts and skills—singing, cooking, repairing the building, arranging flowers, gifts of prayer, of scholarship, of deep faith, preaching, teaching, organizing, telling jokes, consoling—all needed, all valued, all blessed by God and by the congregation. Many of you have known this for your whole lives, but it was new to me.
My awareness expanded to realize that the Body of Christ is all-inclusive, much bigger than the church, and that people of other faiths, ethnicities, races, abilities, and any other ways people identify themselves have their own gifts and their own beloved place as members of the Body of Christ. My own experience has been that St. Paul’s is a safe place for me to renew, regroup, recenter so that I can take my Self and my gifts into the larger world, which is not always as safe and welcoming. I’m so grateful!
Written by Cathy Campbell
Cathy is a semi-retired professional counselor who makes a joyful noise in St. Paul’s choir. She advocates for marginalized groups, especially LGBTQ people.