17 Jan - Sharing Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:1-11, John 2:1-11

In the 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul offers a teaching about the Holy Spirit. He writes, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.” Whatever our individual gifts are, they all come from God. God activates them in us. Our words and our actions are the Holy Spirit manifest, made visible in us.

Paul also states, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” Our basic orientation in life is toward the common good. What we say, what we do affects the other members of that family. As people of the Spirit, the intention of our words and our actions is basically good. Our desire is to have a positive impact on others, so that our common life may flourish.

We live in relationship to one another. What we do matters. When something happens to our sisters and brothers, wherever they are, it matters. It affects us. We have become painfully aware of that reality with the earthquake in Haiti. Our response? Our orientation to the common good, our deeply rooted gift of compassion takes hold. We ask: What can we do? We want to help, but how?

First, we can pray. We can pray collectively as a faith community and as individuals. Pray for the people of Haiti: for the dead, for the injured, for those who have lost loved ones, homes, possessions, and hope. Pray also for those who are actively working to help Haiti recover and rebuild.

Second, we can support the relief efforts for Haiti. What is needed most right now is money. Episcopal Relief and Development is an agency that is already at work in Haiti. You can make a contribution to ERD on-line, or St. Simon’s will help you make a contribution. On Sunday, January 24th, the free plate offering will be designated to ERD. You can write a check to St. Simon’s and note Haitian relief on the memo line. We will gather those checks and the cash and send a check to ERD. Or, you can choose another relief organization that is working in Haiti and support their efforts with your contributions. As time goes on, I am sure there will be other opportunities for us to support the relief and rebuilding efforts in Haiti.

Peace,

Deacon Sue