by: Deacon Paul Rooney (deaconpaul@cox.net)
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time
(Cycle “A" – June 12, 2005)

Q. 323:   I don’t feel that I have received any “special” gifts.   So how does Jesus’ command to his disciples apply to me, “The gift you have received, give as a gift” (Matt 10:8)?

A. 323:   On the contrary, every Christian living has been given special gifts.   Usually we are so familiar with them that we “take them for granted.”   The context is this: God is calling each person to “wholeness” of body, soul and spirit, and your individual gifts help others move towards this wholeness.

For example, what are your special hobbies or creative interests?   Do you like to sew, repair or fix things, paint, cook, read, write, garden, do crafts?   Your gifts – both natural and spiritual - are displayed in many ways.   Using them properly will bring you satisfaction.   More importantly, they were given to you to be used to help others in some way.   Do you make yourself available to read to the homebound or elderly, in a nursing home setting?   Can you cook something for a sick or elderly neighbor or parishioner?   Do you share the harvest of your garden?   Can you ask an elderly couple if they need something repaired in their home?   Do you pray for the specific needs of specific people every single day?   Ever mow someone’s lawn out of love?   Are you involved in a church ministry?

It is your display of outreaching love, of compassionate selflessness, that will register in the minds and hearts of others.   This is the mission of the Church, to “be” Christ for others, to ease their burdens by sharing your gifts with them.   They will recognize the Christ in you, and this recognition will contribute to their own journey to wholeness.

Know Your Catechism!   The key is to remember that ALL that you have is gift, and the source is God - - not just material things, but natural talents and spiritual gifts as well (CCC#2121).  Even material abundance must be shared lovingly and willingly (CCC#2443).  Do you see how stewardship of your gifts relates to the 7th Commandment (CCC#2401)?

Deacon Paul Rooney
Mary Our Queen Parish, Omaha