God's Variety of Gifts
Epiphany 2C
Isa. 62:1-5; 1 Cor 12:1-11; Jn 2:1-11
1/17/10
Lorraine Ljunggren

        Some of you know something about me that others may not and you may well share alike in this gift. When I find myself facing unexpected, and always unwanted, disasters, such as this week's earthquake in Haiti, what I grant is God's gift to me of empathy can be so powerful that I have chills from head to toe and salty tears spring instantly to my eyes. Sometimes this gift of empathy feels too strong because it stops me – stops me in my tracks – stops me in the middle of whatever else is going on in life and for a time I cannot manage it – it manages me. It is like the sudden silence of a ship's engine after the captain orders 'full stop.' It is like being in the eye of a hurricane where not a single leaf quivers yet all around is a fury of wind and rain. It is like the world in slow motion with too many images to comprehend – so many images they overwhelm the senses.

        And it makes me aware that in the midst of unspeakable pain there exists a deeply moving and powerful spiritual experience – the experience of being connected to the whole human family. It is in these moments, when I may be feeling helpless, that what I can do first is pray. And, so I write prayers and offer them to you and others in the hope that prayer helps us to be aware of our connection to God – to be aware that God is in the midst of us whenever events stop us short, whenever storms of life surround us, and when alone we cannot sort out the overwhelming images.

        I wrote to one of you this week that “empathy is a most-needed human emotion in our world.” Like the energy of the universe which cannot be created or destroyed but only changed, empathy is one part of the many mysterious connections between us and all of God's creation – connections which are beyond our words to fully express and our minds to totally comprehend.

        And, so as in times in the past, I – like you – was bombarded by the stories and pictures, the drama and the grief of an earthquake whose power forever changed untold numbers of human lives.

        The earthquake, I hope, changes us as well – makes us aware of one another – helps us set the priorities of our life pointing to what is of immediate, right now, and lasting value. I hope the earthquake makes us aware of our faith in ways we might tend to forget or recognize. I hope it makes us realize that churches like St. Mark's become communities of faith when we allow God's voice to reach into the our hearts, minds, and spirits. For, if there is one thing of which I'm sure, I'm convinced God calls each of us into relationship and calls us to do something with who we are and what we know how to do, or to stretch ourselves and learn how to do something we've never done before – something – some 'things' which change the status quo of the world and makes life better for our community and those around us. I hope it opens us so that the words on a page of scripture become more than a lesson to be heard and perhaps remembered, and instead become the living word of God – guiding us, challenging us, inviting us to think deeply about God. I hope literally-earth-shattering-events such as this earthquake wakes us up to our potential – helps us realize we are capable of so much that is good.

        Some of us may know that Haiti is the largest Diocese in the Episcopal Church [part of Province II]. “The diocese serves between 100,000 and 150.000 people in 168 congregations. …In addition to the churches, the diocese's ministry includes 254 schools; medical clinics; a renowned philharmonic orchestra and children's choir based at the cathedral – a cathedral the bricks and mortar of which are now destroyed; agricultural, reforestation and other development projects and micro-financing efforts run in part from Episcopal Relief and Development; peace and reconciliation work, including the Desmond Tutu Center for Reconciliation and Peace and non-violence training provided by Episcopal Peace Fellowship.” (Episcopal News Online, 1/13/2010, Matthew Davies & Mary Frances Schjonberg)

        When someone asked why we should be so concerned about the Episcopal schools in Haiti, one of our stateside education coordinators responded: “…our 250 schools, particularly the remote ones, also serve as community centers, emergency clinics, food distribution centers, churches and temporary shelters, often in places where there is no other communal structure of any kind for many miles around.” (Episcopal News Online, 1/14/10, Pat McCaughan)

        Ministry in places like Haiti as well as ministry nearby happens because leaders were born in churches like St. Mark's. Those 250 schools and hospitals and other ministries don't just happen. Individuals, people like you and me, first open our hearts to the deep connections with God and God's people nearby and far away. Individuals, people like you and me, first develop our skills here before ever going into Haiti or into communities around us here in North Carolina. That's why it is important to have strong programs in our local congregations. Individuals, people like you and me, make life better in places such as Haiti and among farm workers in North Carolina, for youth in our cities and so many others, because we hear God calling to our hearts, minds, and spirits – calling us to use our different and unique gifts – we hear God calling us to practice being ministers for others by being ministers in places like St. Mark's.

        The gift of empathy of which I first began speaking is but one of the amazing varieties of gifts I believe God gives to us human beings. The biblical writers from the prophets of the Hebrew Bible to those who penned the Christian Testament try to describe some of these gifts, try to show us how those in times past ignored or put to good use their God-given gifts and talents.

        Modern day prophets like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., understood well the connections and inter-connections between people intended by God in creation. Dr. King was an incredible example of what it means to put our gifts to good use on behalf of others by grounding ourselves first in a community of faith, nurturing our relationship with God, so that we might nurture our relationships with those around us. The common good was uppermost in Dr. King's mind.

        As the writer to the church in Corinth puts so well: “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. To each [- to each] is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Cor. 12:4-7)

        Developing your gifts and talents here within the walls of our sanctuary, our Sunday school rooms, and our community life spaces is important to the vibrancy of this parish church and to the witness we offer the world outside our doors. That's why I invite each and every one of us to examine our ministries – the ones in the world around us and the ones within our own church doors. Let's ask ourselves what gifts and talents we each possess which have yet to be tapped – yet to be put into action to benefit the common good – whether that common good be in a Caribbean nation devastated by an earthquake or some activity necessary to
the strength of this community of faith.

        Some simple beginnings can lead to some miraculous outcomes. So, as we pray and give and work to help the people of Haiti, let us pray also that we might each discern with wisdom the voice of God calling in our lives, so that all our thoughts and actions will reflect the common good. Amen.
        
What follows as a post script is a prayer I wrote for Haiti the morning after the earthquake.


A Prayer for Haiti, the Rev. Lorraine Ljunggren, written 1/13/2010
God of all, on the day of your Son Jesus' crucifixion,
the earth shook and the rocks were rent:
We, your frail and finite creatures, cry out to you for help
when the earth beneath our feet quakes changing in an instant life as we know it.
On the wings of your Holy Spirit carry to the people of Haiti
our heartfelt prayers and love.
Keep safe those who travel to help in the midst of the earthquake's aftermath.
Watch over and help heal those who are injured.
Guide the minds and hands of the medical teams
who treat the many who are injured.
Inspire your people around the earth to work together
to provide shelter, food, and medicines.
Give peace to the hearts of those who cannot, for a time,
speak with those they love, whether nearby or far away.
Bless those who have died and receive them into your loving arms.
For these and the unspoken needs which lie in every human heart,
we ask your holy blessing in Jesus' name. Amen.


©2010 Lorraine Ljunggren