One of the hardest tasks in life can be to appreciate your own gifts and talents, and sharing them where you are able. Oftentimes we compare ourselves to others, which robs us of the joy of appreciating our own gifts. Comparison can rob us of joy in one of two ways. We may think we are better than others, and then we may look down on others and miss what is so life-giving in them. We miss their talents.
Or the other, perhaps more common experience, is that we think less of ourselves in comparison to others. We worry that others have better lives, better relationships, better abilities than we do. We denigrate our talents in comparison to others, and we sing with less vigor. We miss our talents.
Jesus tells a parable of three people with varying degrees of talents, and how two shared theirs (such as they were) while one was afraid. People of St. Timothy, I want us to encourage one another in the talents we DO have, so we can enjoy and share them. I don’t want us to spend overmuch effort on what talents we DON’T have, but to learn as a community how God’s Spirit continues to gift us with opportunities to share. Thank you for noticing and caring about the variety of gifts and talents to offer.
Peace,
Hans
Three Holy Days
In our tradition, we make space on Maundy Thursday to remember central parts of our faith story. We hear about the...
