29th Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 26th October 2024 – Ephesians 4,7-16; Luke 13,1-9
Personal Gifts for Service
In the first reading, Paul speaks about the gifts or special graces which have been given to each member of the community: “each of us are given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gifts.” In other words, God’s grace is given out personally and gratuitously. We have in no way earned by our own efforts. He knows exactly what we need and how to meet that need. This grace is given at varying levels as God sees fit, i.e. of our intimacy with Christ. These gifts are given to ensure better service to the whole community or the Church. In this connection, Paul mentions about two of his favourite analogies for the Church: 1) a Body with many parts working together for the growth and good of the whole body, and 2) an Edifice/Building that comes about in putting together many diverse materials. In both images, Jesus is the centre and key element. Spiritual gifts involve a variety of abilities (Eph 4,11; Rom 12,4-6; 1 Cor 12,4-6), yet it should work together in service (Eph 4,6). Paul taught that “grace was given” (Eph 3,8) to him to preach to the Gentiles. He was called as an apostle and he focused on getting the most out of that grace given to him by God’s direct intervention. Peter affirms further, “as each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4,10).