Reflection
Too often that we do not see our own giftedness. Our hearts are suddened by Insecurity and this colors our actions. We look at what others have and see only where we are lacking. Our vision becomes distorted and our possibilities limited. We need to try to recognize who we are and to use our talents productively even as we recognize our need for God’s sustaining presence. As members of the sacred community of creation we are called to rejoice in the gifts of others as well as our own, be in solidarity with all people, and cooperate with them for the common good.
Prayer
Empower me to use my gifts to bring Your love to the world. Help me to reach out to all people with an inclusive love.
Action
Today I will try to recognize in myself one gift given to me. How can I use it to work to bring about God’s reign?
Suggested Reading
Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons for he was the son of his old age, and he had a coat with long sleeves made for him. But his brothers, seeing how his father loved him, came to hate him so much that they could not say a civil word to him.
Genesis 37:3 – 4
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Cor:4 -11
We are all given different abilities – and these gifts need to be used to do good in this life, as a service to God and to our brothers and sisters.
Pope Francis
People who won’t admit their talents for fear they’ll be asked to use them are not simply being selfish, they are refusing to serve God. Laziness and irresponsibility are forms of injustice and thievery. They take from the people of the earth. We are not put on earth to be cared for. We were put on earth to care for it. Joan Chittister
God calls us with our own gifts and talents, and our weaknesses and struggles, with an intimate knowledge of who we are, to bring our whole selves to the life of discipleship.
James Martin, SJ
Balance, peace, and joy are the fruit of a successful life. It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve others by using them.
Thomas Kinkade
It’s surprising how many persons go through life without ever recognizing that their feelings toward other people are largely determined by their feelings toward themselves, and if you’re not comfortable within yourself, you can’t be comfortable with others.
Sydney J. Harris
Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?
Benjamin Franklin
Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.
Leo Buscaglia
The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe