By Sonja Corbitt

“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” ~ 1 Corinthians 7-11

Today’s second reading is one of four spiritual “gift passages” in Scripture. Although not an exhaustive list, several are agreed upon according to what’s in the Bible and the Church Fathers. They are divided into three “clusters”: Equipping Gifts, Service Gifts + Sign Gifts (more on individual gifts here).

            1) Equipping Gifts

Apostleship (messenger)

Evangelism

Pastor/Shepherding

Prophecy

Teaching

            2) A. Service Gifts

Administration                       

Encouragement                      

Faith                                       

Mercy                         

Giving                        

Leadership                               

Service/Helps 

Music/Art

            B. Sign Gifts

(these validate the authenticity of the messenger and message)

Miracles

Healing

Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues    

The Holy Spirit nourishes His Church through the sacraments and builds His Church through spiritual gifts; both are visible expressions of the Holy Spirit’s activity and love (CCC 951). In order to grow spiritually, it is imperative that every Christian know and use her spiritual gifts to build up the Church.

Perhaps we believe it’s the priest’s responsibility to provide and equip his parish with ministries to serve parishioners, but that’s not precisely the case. The priest’s job is to provide the sacraments. He certainly has his own spiritual gifts, but it’s the laity’s job to “equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph 4:11-16) under the bishop and pastor who formally shepherd the flock. 

Spiritual gifts are given to us by the Holy Spirit, who distributes them “as He wills” (1 Cor 12:11). Therefore, spiritual gifts do not belong to individual Christians; they are the expression of the Holy Spirit doing the Father’s will through them.

Call to action: Where do I begin?

The best way to know your gifts is to do an evaluation, such as the one the Catherine of Sienna Institute offers, and then experiment as an apprentice in the areas indicated by the evaluation. We apprentice first because we do not want to commit to an area of service long-term and find part-way through that it’s not a good fit.

Nor should we remain in an area of service which is not a precise fit simply because there is no one else to fill the role; that prevents someone else from using their gifts. Remember that it’s the Holy Spirit’s responsibility to fill roles. You won’t lose your gifts by experimenting because “the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom 11:16).

How do I know if it’s a gift and not a talent?

1) Aptitude – You can actually “do” the gift

2) Attitude – You love doing it and do not burn out

3) Amplitude – Others are edified by it, and they tell you so

4) Altitude – Operating in the gift feels and is supernatural

The Church needs your gifts.

In speaking to the laity, Pope Paul VI exhorted, “Indeed, the organic union in this body and the structure of the members are so compact that the member who fails to make his proper contribution to the development of the Church must be said to be useful neither to the Church nor to himself” (Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity). Therefore, “As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Pet 4:10).

Prayer

Most of us start working and ask God to help us. Instead, we should ask: Holy Spirit, what do You want to accomplish and how can I participate?

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