ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 10, 2023
I am thankful for my calendar. I put a lot of reminders on my calendar, and I put the alerts on so that I get reminders about my reminders. When I have a meeting away from the church, I put the address on the calendar, and the alerts keep track of traffic and report to me how soon I should leave based on the current traffic. Though not perfect, it is pretty cool. That’s all to say that I need reminders, and not only on my calendar. I need them on my body, and thus the reason for the piece of red yarn in the little gift box we handed out on Sunday. Red was chosen as it is the color of the Holy Spirit (fire, Pentecost), but the real purpose of the red yarn was to provide prompting for intentionality (tie it around a finger or wrist). Among the many things you can do when discerning a Spiritual Gift it to be intentionally aware of what brings “sorrow to your soul.” That was language often used by an old Catholic Monk I knew years ago. Others have asked, “What breaks your heart again and again?” This consistent ache might be a need in the world brushing up against the uniqueness of who you are, and your Spiritual Gift might be God’s way of responding through you. A number of years ago, one of the folks at the church where I was serving was deeply concerned about the unhoused (homeless) in our community. He started getting involved in Habitat for Humanity, though construction was not his strength. His background was finance, and before long, he was serving on the Fundraising Committee for Habitat, and eventually he was helping to teach a required household budgeting class for future Habitat Homeowners. Being able to respond in a tangible way to that deep ache brought great joy to this individual, as if he were unleashing his gift for the very purpose it was intended. Be intentional in regard to awareness—awareness about who you are and what brings sorrow to your soul.
Help me, O Lord, to carve out both time and space from my busy life. Make me aware of any deep ache I might feel, as it might have something to do with my spirit connecting to your Spirit for the purpose of directing the gift you placed within me. Amen.
