Varieties of Spiritual Gifts 1Cor 12:4-11

There are varieties of spiritual gifts in the Church. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts for different kinds of people. God desires pluriformity and not uniformity. All the spiritual gifts are equal in importance. None is superior to another. For example, the gift of working miracles is not necessarily superior to the gift of counselling. There is no reason to exaggerate the importance of some gifts and depreciate others. Though it is true that a particular spiritual gift may be more relevant in a particular place and at a particular time. Every human being is endowed with some gifts. The spiritual gifts are not meant for the privileged few. Everybody without exception receives something. Some have more. Some have less. But everybody has something. We all have an obligation to discover our gifts and use them wisely and fruitfully. All spiritual gifts are from the same Spirit, the same Lord and the same God. God inspires them all. The spiritual gifts coming from the Lord are unmerited. They are absolutely gratuitous. There is nothing we could have done to merit them. Therefore, there is no place for pride and arrogance in the heart of a true Christian. What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1Cor 4:7). We cannot despise others who do not have the gifts we exercise. Neither there is any justification for feeling superior to those who have less. Spiritual gifts are not the only measure of holiness. It is possible to enjoy some great spiritual gifts and still be in danger of losing one’s soul. We must not be envious of those who have the gifts we do not have. St Bonaventure says envy of the spiritual gifts of another is a sin against the Holy Spirit. We have to be content and grateful for what we have. And put our own gifts into good use. If we cannot be faithful in little things, the Lord will not entrust greater things to us (Cf. Lk 16:10). The spiritual gifts are lavished on us for the common good, the spread of the Gospel, the establishment and expansion of the Kingdom of God, the growth of the Church- the body of Christ. The spiritual gifts are not for personal gain. You have received freely, give freely (Matt 10:8). We do not use our spiritual gifts merely to gain influence, leverage, recognition and cheap popularity. As the stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gifts he has received to serve one another (1Pet 4:10). In the end, we will render an account of our use or abuse of our spiritual gifts.

Hannah's Perseverance

Hannah is one of the iconic figures in the bible. Her name brings to mind the virtues of prayer, persistence, perseverance and faithfulness to one’s vows to God. She was childless for many years. She had prayed for many years. She had waited and waited for many years without a child. However, Hanna did not give up or cave in to societal pressures and oppression. She never lost hope. She hoped against hope. She did not quit. She did not abandon God or her faith. In her anxiety and distress, she did what most people would not do. She went into the temple, and poured her soul before the Lord. The Psalmist says “I waited, I waited for the Lord. He stooped down to me. He heard my cry” (Ps 40:1). Hanna waited and waited for the Lord. The Lord stooped down to her and heard her cry. She conceived and gave birth to a son. She dedicated her only child to God in the temple. The Lord has stupendous plans for us (Cf. Jer 29:11). And the Lord has a loving desire and unfailing power to fulfil His plans in our lives. If only we can wait on Him like Hannah. If the Lord’s plan tarries. We should wait patiently. For surely it will be fulfilled (Cf. Hab 2:3). We wait. We wait in hope and expectation. We do not wait in doubts and despair. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint(Is 40:31).