I went to a Latin Mass today.  I am coming to love attending more often as I find the quietness and distinct movements with specific purpose draws me in to what is really occurring …. the sacrifice of Christ, the perfect Victim, offering himself for us to his Father.

Today’s reading of the Epistle (1 Corinthians 12: 2-11) (an exert) struck me….

Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit; and there are diversities of ministries, but the same Lord; and there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who works in all. And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto profit. To one indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom; and to another, the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; to another, the grace of healing in one Spirit; to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the discerning of spirits; to another, divers kinds of tongues; to another, interpretation of speeches. But all these things one and the same Spirit works, dividing to every one according as He will.

It is amazing that we have hundreds of millions of people who look different.  So it makes great sense that God in his infinite wisdom of creating us both the same and yet different, he would give us diversities of graces, of ministries and operations.  It is a relief to know that I do not have to be the end all; that my brothers and sisters in Christ have a grace I may not – and this grace is a naturally endowed gift from God.  It’s awesome to look for these gifts in those I interact with.  They are what could make a community, business, school, parish and even family live and work well together; this recognizing and sharing in different gifts.  Do you?  Do I?   Not often enough.

Dearest Jesus, help me to see the gifts of others and to step aside when they can do it better than I can.  Help me to know my limitations but also my strengths.  Help us to be one in you, building up each other in your body.  Thank you for all these gifts from your spirit; help us to embrace and use them to the best of our ability, giving you all glory and honor as we do. 

First picture by Required attribution text: by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, available from http://fssp.org., Attribution, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5289044