Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed....
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:1-6
To listen to an audio version click the picture below.
One day a traveler, walking along a lane, came across 3 stonecutters working in a quarry. Each was busy cutting a block of stone. Interested to find out what they were working on, he asked the first stonecutter what he was doing. “I am making a living!” Still no wiser the traveler turned to the second stonecutter and asked him what he was doing. “I am cutting this block of stone to make sure that its square, and its dimensions are uniform, so that it is the best stone in the wall” Still unclear, the traveler turned to the third stonecutter. He seemed to be the happiest of the three and when asked what he was doing replied: “I am building a cathedral.”*
Three people all engaged in the same task, all using similar gifts. But only one – the one who works in joy – sees his work as part of a bigger picture.
In his letter to the church in Corinth – Paul is addressing – the proverbial stonecutters of his church. It sounds as though he is answering their question, or maybe settling an argument.
“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.” Which certainly implies they are. It sounds like the people of his church are in competition, arguing over whose gifts and tasks are more important. Instead of focusing on their cathedral – they are comparing all their stones and trying to rank order their importance.
Comparison. Here’s a good saying to keep handy for the New Year – Comparison is the thief of happiness.++
It’s such a gremlin isn’t it – comparison. We do it all the time. We compare ourselves with people we know. We compare ourselves with people we don’t – famous people, models and movie stars. We compare our bodies – our hair – our clothes. We compare our career to others – our education – our families. We compare houses, inside and out. We compare churches and styles of worship. We compare our situations – our accomplishments.
And this saying – that engaging in comparison is a thief of our happiness – rings true, because rarely do compare ourselves in a positive way. Usually we’re comparing believing others have it better than we do. That’s certainly what it sounds like the people in Corinth are doing. Or maybe they are doing the – if only – comparison. If only I had wisdom, or knowledge. If only I could do that, achieved that, looked like that – then – it would all be good. If only I could cut my stone like she does – then it would be better - I would be better – than who I am right now.
And that’s the thief. Believing we aren’t worthy as we are. That thief robs us of gratitude of what we’ve been given. The gratitude which propels us to joyfully live into our gifts, our talents, our abilities – sharing them because we know, we trust they are part of a big picture. There’s only one reason the third guy is happy - If we don’t think our stones matter to the cathedral – then where’s the joy in making them at all?
What are the gifts God has given you to share with the world? Do you share them? Do you compare and rank them – or do you share them joyfully, in gratitude?
I mean remember when you were pagan? That’s Paul’s question. How about you? (I’m not a pagan!) Let’s define pagan like this – a time when we look to the prevailing culture to set our values/priorities for us. For me the last time I was pagan – and yes it happens daily – let’s say 8 o’clock last night – when I saw an ad on TV that made me feel less than for one reason or another, or made me covet, want something I didn’t need, or made me think I was better than someone else.
That’s what Paul points to. Remember when you were a pagan and you worshipped idols – the god of wealth, or beauty, or status? Gods that aren’t in relationship with you – because they don’t really care about you – they care about satisfying their needs – and reminding you that your needs will never be satisfied.
But you, brothers and sisters, have been formed of the Spirit – have been blessed by the Spirit – are intricately and indelibly sealed by the Spirit and marked as Christ’s own forever! Wow – that is such an amazing and glorious big picture! Of love – of belonging – of meaning and purpose. That’s what the gifts and the talents are for! When was the last time you lost yourself in the midst of doing something – lost track of time because you were so engaged in your work, or conversation, or learning, or sharing something of yourself? That is transcendence. That is big picture connection!
We who are many are one body – Paul writes elsewhere. The Body of Christ – is created when we share who we are with one another as a part of this big picture. Empowering – not ranking - others to share their gifts, joyfully for the mutual benefit of bringing in the kingdom.
That is the activation of the Spirit as Paul says.
Perhaps some of you heard about our church – the larger church we call the Anglican Communion – in the news this week. Right now, across the pond, there is a Primates meeting. There are 38 churches – such as the Episcopal Church of the United States – and each one has a presiding bishop or archbishop. Ours is Michael Curry. Periodically – the Archbishop of Canterbury – who is the head of the Church of England calls all 38 leaders to a meeting. This is a gathering of our Communion. The gathering itself is what we call “an instrument of unity.” A sign of the big picture – leaders in common prayer – sharing their varied experiences of living the gospel of Jesus Christ in their context with their gifts.
The Episcopal Church’s context and gift is being a church of inclusivity. Inclusivity not based on social theory or political leanings – but based on theology. Theology expressed most succinctly in one of our prayers - Lord Jesus Christ you stretched his arms of love on the hard wood of the cross so that EVERYONE might come within the reach of your saving embrace. We are a church that lives into that sacramentally. We believe same gender couples are worthy to be married. We believe straight, gay and lesbian people are worthy to be ordained. Not all of the other 38 churches agree.
So believing relationship always is the priority, at this meeting, the Episcopal Church agreed to abstain from voting on ecumenical and interfaith bodies appointed to represent the Communion. For all intents and purposes a completely symbolic action – with actually no real consequence in the day to day operations of any of the churches of the Communion – including ours.
So when you read the completely incorrect headlines of news media – such as the Washington Post which read, Anglican Communion Suspends the Episcopal Church after Years of Gay Rights Debates (1/14/16) – know that it is wrong. It’s wrong because it’s comparing. It’s comparing the Anglican Communion – to the Roman Catholic Church. A church that has a pope – and a hierarchical, doctrinal structure.
In the words of our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry - The Anglican Communion is a network of relationships that have been built on mission partnerships; relationships grounded in a common faith; relationships in companion diocese relationships; relationships with parish to parish across the world; relationships that are profoundly committed to serving and following the way of Jesus of Nazareth by helping the poorest of the poor…. That’s what the Anglican Communion is, and that Communion continues and moves forward.” (http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2016/01/15/video-presiding-bishop-responds-to-primates-actions-stresses-relationships/)
That is the sort of big picture – relational – not hierarchical – thinking that Paul encourages his people – and us – to embrace. In our small and big picture way – we too are a beloved community built on relationship. Brought together by the activation of the Holy Spirit – so that each of us can discern and share our spiritual gifts – for the common good. The common good of this body – and – the common good that is the kingdom of God – in the world.
In this New Year – may we commit ourselves to sharing – and revealing bit by bit – the kingdom made real when we find our communion in God. Joyfully sharing the gifts God has given every single one of us. Amen.
* Source is anonymous, but I found it here - http://www.the-happy-manager.com/articles/leadership-quality/
++ Attributed to a variety of people, I got it from Brene Brown's book, Daring Greatly
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