May 18, 2024 - Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
May you continue to use the gifts that GOD has given you for the building up (edification) of the reign of GOD and the edification of others.
A few years ago, I attended a workshop on charisms. Charisms are the gifts we have been given by GOD. They are different than our talents. Each of us has talents – abilities to do things that enhance our own life. Some have musical talents, others have abilities to think well. Charisms are the skills and abilities we have that are to be used for the common GOoD. Our talents can also be our charisms if we use them to benefit others and not just ourselves. They are given to build up the community of believers and all people. Charisms are always other-centered, not self-centered. St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians speaks about these special charisms. They are given by the Holy Spirit for the enrichment of the Body of Christ – the Church. We must appreciate and allow these charisms to come to fruition not only in our lives but the lives of others. We should thank GOD for the way others are using their charisms for the GOoD of all.
May you continue to use the gifts that GOD has given you for the building up (edification) of the reign of GOD and the edification of others.
A few years ago, I attended a workshop on charisms. Charisms are the gifts we have been given by GOD. They are different than our talents. Each of us has talents – abilities to do things that enhance our own life. Some have musical talents, others have abilities to think well. Charisms are the skills and abilities we have that are to be used for the common GOoD. Our talents can also be our charisms if we use them to benefit others and not just ourselves. They are given to build up the community of believers and all people. Charisms are always other-centered, not self-centered. St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians speaks about these special charisms. They are given by the Holy Spirit for the enrichment of the Body of Christ – the Church. We must appreciate and allow these charisms to come to fruition not only in our lives but the lives of others. We should thank GOD for the way others are using their charisms for the GOoD of all.
Readings can be obtained from: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051824.cfm
Saint John I: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-i
Readings: Acts 28: 16-20, 30-31; Psalm 11: 4, 5 and 7; John 21: 20-25
Today we come to the end. We read the last few verses of the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel according to St. John. It is also the last weekday (non-Sunday) of the Easter Season. We reflect on the end of a special time (the time of Easter, the time of the Apostles).
As we close out the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about the last part of St. Paul’s ministry – the last two years of his life, under house arrest in Rome. Paul addresses the Jewish community in Rome speaking about his being even more faithful to the GOD of the Jews than earlier in his life (when he was a strict Pharisee and was persecuting Christians). He asks his listeners to see Jesus as the hope of Israel.
The conclusion of the Gospel of St. John gives us a glimpse into the life of the author of the fourth Gospel. He was the beloved of the Lord Jesus, one who has testified (= gave witness = “martyrized”) to the truth of what has been revealed
in his Gospel.
What strikes me as I reflect on the readings is St. Peter’s reaction in the Gospel today. When Peter asks Jesus about the beloved disciple, Jesus responds, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You need to just follow me.” The “concern” of Peter reflects the human concerns a lot of us have about other people.
We so often want to know how we compare to other people. We want to make sure that we are being treated fairly and equally, or if there is any inequality, we expect it to be in our favor, not the other person. We sometimes become upset when others are “apparently” liked by GOD more than we are liked by GOD. “Apparently” is from our perspective not GOD’s perspective.
Jesus’ response is important for us to hear: “What concern is it of yours?” We need to trust in GOD and GOD’s sense of fairness. Yet, as humans, we are so often concerned about ourselves and how we are treated. Rather than rejoicing in how GOD loves and gifts others, we get upset if one person seems to manifest more talents or gifts or blessings than we have.
We need to realize that it is GOD’s will that everyone uses the abilities and skills and blessings they have received from GOD for the edification of one another. We are not meant to be competing against each other, but we should be working for the common GOoD. We also need to realize that GOD will expect more from those who have received more blessings from GOD (Luke 12: 48).
So, instead of always complaining about what we don’t have, or being envious of others who seemed to be more gifted, we should give thanks to GOD for what we have and see how we can use what we have been given for the benefit of others. We should also praise GOD for the talents and abilities GOD has given to others, especially as they use those gifts for the GOoD of all.
St. Paul reminds us that we all have different gifts (1 Corinthians 12 and 13). He reminds us that the gifts are given to different people for the building up (edification) of the Body of Christ – the Church. We need to reflect on the gifts and abilities GOD has given us and see how we can use them more effectively in the bolstering of the faith of others. In this way we will all be enriched as we share with one another. This is what St. Paul did even as he was under house arrest in Rome. He continued to proclaim the GOoD News to all who came to hear him speak.
We should also listen to Jesus’s final message to Peter: “Just follow Me.” If we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and follow where He leads, we will arrive at our destination – the dwelling place of our Abba-Father, Who happens to be GOD. Yes, it is true that we may have to go through some intermediate places to which we would rather not go, such as Peter and Paul experienced in Rome. Yet, if we trust the Lord Jesus and follow where He leads, we will experience the joys of the place in heaven that Jesus has prepared for us for all eternity.
Blessed are Your, LORD GOD, ever caring and always giving. Through Your GOoDness, You have blessed each of us in unique ways so that we can help others along the way as we journey to You. Help us to appreciate the special talents and abilities of others and not question what they have or what You have called them to do. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, helps us develop the special gifts You have given us so that we can be of assistance to our traveling companions on the path of faith. May we give You all the glory and praise as we see the ways You have graced others. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus, Your Son and our Brother, Our Master Who leads us and asks us to follow Him. It is this Jesus Who is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!
Song of the Day: Follow Me by David Kauffman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIT39NSTmPk
I Surrender by Matt Machado: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0hfDNjWfY0
Follow Me (Disciple’s Song) by Mark Eduard Fraze:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNEOHv2CN3M
Video of the Day: Saint Pope John I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbu3P1voUks
© rjk, 12-12-22
Saint John I: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-i
Readings: Acts 28: 16-20, 30-31; Psalm 11: 4, 5 and 7; John 21: 20-25
Today we come to the end. We read the last few verses of the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel according to St. John. It is also the last weekday (non-Sunday) of the Easter Season. We reflect on the end of a special time (the time of Easter, the time of the Apostles).
As we close out the Acts of the Apostles, we hear about the last part of St. Paul’s ministry – the last two years of his life, under house arrest in Rome. Paul addresses the Jewish community in Rome speaking about his being even more faithful to the GOD of the Jews than earlier in his life (when he was a strict Pharisee and was persecuting Christians). He asks his listeners to see Jesus as the hope of Israel.
The conclusion of the Gospel of St. John gives us a glimpse into the life of the author of the fourth Gospel. He was the beloved of the Lord Jesus, one who has testified (= gave witness = “martyrized”) to the truth of what has been revealed
in his Gospel.
What strikes me as I reflect on the readings is St. Peter’s reaction in the Gospel today. When Peter asks Jesus about the beloved disciple, Jesus responds, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You need to just follow me.” The “concern” of Peter reflects the human concerns a lot of us have about other people.
We so often want to know how we compare to other people. We want to make sure that we are being treated fairly and equally, or if there is any inequality, we expect it to be in our favor, not the other person. We sometimes become upset when others are “apparently” liked by GOD more than we are liked by GOD. “Apparently” is from our perspective not GOD’s perspective.
Jesus’ response is important for us to hear: “What concern is it of yours?” We need to trust in GOD and GOD’s sense of fairness. Yet, as humans, we are so often concerned about ourselves and how we are treated. Rather than rejoicing in how GOD loves and gifts others, we get upset if one person seems to manifest more talents or gifts or blessings than we have.
We need to realize that it is GOD’s will that everyone uses the abilities and skills and blessings they have received from GOD for the edification of one another. We are not meant to be competing against each other, but we should be working for the common GOoD. We also need to realize that GOD will expect more from those who have received more blessings from GOD (Luke 12: 48).
So, instead of always complaining about what we don’t have, or being envious of others who seemed to be more gifted, we should give thanks to GOD for what we have and see how we can use what we have been given for the benefit of others. We should also praise GOD for the talents and abilities GOD has given to others, especially as they use those gifts for the GOoD of all.
St. Paul reminds us that we all have different gifts (1 Corinthians 12 and 13). He reminds us that the gifts are given to different people for the building up (edification) of the Body of Christ – the Church. We need to reflect on the gifts and abilities GOD has given us and see how we can use them more effectively in the bolstering of the faith of others. In this way we will all be enriched as we share with one another. This is what St. Paul did even as he was under house arrest in Rome. He continued to proclaim the GOoD News to all who came to hear him speak.
We should also listen to Jesus’s final message to Peter: “Just follow Me.” If we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and follow where He leads, we will arrive at our destination – the dwelling place of our Abba-Father, Who happens to be GOD. Yes, it is true that we may have to go through some intermediate places to which we would rather not go, such as Peter and Paul experienced in Rome. Yet, if we trust the Lord Jesus and follow where He leads, we will experience the joys of the place in heaven that Jesus has prepared for us for all eternity.
- The personal question/action for today: When I look at the gifts that others have received from GOD, what is my reaction? Am I jealous or envious or do I rejoice in their receiving gifts that edify the Body of Jesus? When I reflect on my own GOD-given abilities, am I grateful for what I have received? How do I use what I have been given for the building up of the Body of Jesus (the Church)? How can I more faithfully follow Jesus today in the building up of His Body?
Blessed are Your, LORD GOD, ever caring and always giving. Through Your GOoDness, You have blessed each of us in unique ways so that we can help others along the way as we journey to You. Help us to appreciate the special talents and abilities of others and not question what they have or what You have called them to do. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, helps us develop the special gifts You have given us so that we can be of assistance to our traveling companions on the path of faith. May we give You all the glory and praise as we see the ways You have graced others. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus, Your Son and our Brother, Our Master Who leads us and asks us to follow Him. It is this Jesus Who is living and reigning with You and the Holy Spirit, our one and only GOD, for ever and ever. Amen. Alleluia!
Song of the Day: Follow Me by David Kauffman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIT39NSTmPk
I Surrender by Matt Machado: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0hfDNjWfY0
Follow Me (Disciple’s Song) by Mark Eduard Fraze:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNEOHv2CN3M
Video of the Day: Saint Pope John I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbu3P1voUks
© rjk, 12-12-22