A Word from Your Pastor January 20

Dear Parishioners:

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, shows us how to live in relationship to her Son in a manner that is faithful to His role as our Savior.  She sees human need, brings it to Him, and then lets go.  “Do whatever He tells you.”  Her purpose is to bring us to her Son.

Faithful to Mary’s example, we need to pay attention to the world around us.  We are invited to be a part of something and it is our role to bring Jesus with us.  It is easy enough to see that the world is in need of a Savior.  Our own part in bringing salvation to the world is more subtle.  It is very personal.  It is discovered as it happens in us.

The Spirit gives gifts to each soul according to God’s design.  Discovering our gifts and putting them at the service of others is a life-long task.  It is never too soon to begin to learn what is our unique contribution.  Nor is it ever too late to ask just what we may be able to bring to the table.  The Holy Spirit will guide us, if we are open to His impulse.

Here are a few clues:  What do you find comes spontaneously to your mind when you enter into prayer?  As soon as you move past your own desires, what do you want for others?  What do others ask of you?  Is there something that you find they always ask you to do or to offer, even when there is someone else who seems (to you at least) to be more qualified to give it?

Our God is a personal God, infinitely Personal.  The Holy Spirit tailors gifts to each unique soul in virtue of the place that soul has in the Body of Christ.  Scripture lists many gifts, but we don’t find our gift on a list or by asking for it as if from a catalogue.  Instead, we must listen, watch and learn as we live our Faith in the world that is being redeemed by the grace of Jesus Christ.

As one means for discovering the gifts we have for one another, I invite you to join the Christ-Life program that starts next Sunday evening.  Join with your brothers and sisters to learn more about our Catholic Faith and to share what God has entrusted to you for them.  Hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit in your heart, and do whatever He tells you.