gifts – deacon rudy's notes

May 20, 2021May 12, 2021

Pentecost

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Reading 1: Acts 2:1-11
Responsorial: Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34
Reading 2: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 OR Galatians 5:16-25
Gospel: John 20:19-23 OR John 15:26-27 OR John 16:12-15

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052321-Day.cfm https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Happy Pentecost! Happy birthday to the Church! Happy birthday to the Church! Happy birthday, dear Church! Happy birthday to the Church!

Welcome back for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we’re going to break open the Word! Our reflection for this weekend is on the readings for Pentecost, the Mass during the day.

I hope you have a piece of birthday cake or raise a glass to celebrate the Church’s birthday!

On this great feast of Pentecost, we remember the descent of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said several times in John’s Gospel account that we would not be left alone after he departs. The Advocate will come and dwell among us and guide us on our journey. And our first reading this weekend from Acts describes the extraordinary event when the Spirit arrived. There was “a noise like a strong driving wind” (Acts 2:2) and tongues of fire which “came to rest on each of them” (Acts 2:3).

Why? There was just no way for Jesus to do a complete download, so God sent “the Spirit of truth” (John 15:26). And the Spirit comes bearing gifts. These gifts enabled the apostles and the first disciples to testify to Jesus because they were with Jesus from the beginning (John 15:27).

Now there’s a lot of good news in these readings!

We are not alone! The Spirit is here with us!

And, the sacraments – wow! – the sacraments are not some magical instruments that BAM unlock everything we need to know to be near-perfect images of Jesus. No! Our coming to faith is a process. It’s like receiving a beautifully wrapped gift. You might be hesitant even to open it because you don’t want to ruin the beautiful wrapping. Maybe you carefully unwrap it and slowly open the box. But what you find doesn’t strike your fancy, so you set the box in your closet where it might sit and gather dust for years and years.

My brothers and sisters, each and every one of us received an incalculable amount of graces at our baptism and confirmation. We might not understand them, so we might not use them to build up God’s kingdom. But once we decide to go down the path of discipleship – once we commit or recommit ourselves to growing in our relationship with the Trinity, well, it’s like we took the present out of our closet, dusted it off, opened it, and carefully began to pull out the gifts within.

In our second reading, and I’m using the option from 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13, Paul gives us that beautiful image that there is one body of Christ. Each of us makes up a part of the whole.

What does that mean?

It means that there is no one quite like you in church. And we need you. Without you, our community isn’t quite the same. Whether you are rich or poor, gainfully employed or homeless, a citizen or an immigrant doesn’t matter. You are important to God, and your presence in the community enriches our shared experience of Jesus Christ. Yes, we could limp along without you. But there is something about you that can help all of us.

In my experience, people are hesitant to understand their gifts, and they are hesitant for others to know their gifts because they don’t want to be a leader, or they might be afraid to fail. And if you’re the only one who steps forward, then I can certainly understand your hesitancy. It’s when we all work together – everyone carrying their fair share – that we, by our faith, can move mountains.

Maybe in our community, there is someone gifted with entrepreneurialism. They not only have leadership qualities, but they are an immensely talented cheerleader. They can rouse the Spirit within!

What gifts do I have to support that person and the ministry?

Maybe I’m gifted with organizational skills. So, I can offer to help behind the scenes keeping things organized.

Maybe I’m a gifted trainer and writer. Perhaps I can help create ministry training manuals and educational material.

Maybe I’m a gifted marketeer. Can I use my skills to help promote the ministry?

Maybe I’m a gifted bookkeeper. I can use my skills to steward the accounts.

Maybe I’m gifted with financial resources. Could I offer to help finance the ministry?

When we come together, each using their gifts, what hope we can bring to people in these uncertain times.

Homework! Stoked by the Word and the Eucharist in the Pentecostal flame, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions. We all have different gifts, and our gifts may manifest at different stages in our lives.
First, at this stage in my life, what gifts do I notice, and how can I use them to help my faith community?
Second, how can I help others identify and utilize their gifts?

Doing our homework might help us serve the body of Christ as disciples. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image: Flames: iStock/Getty Images Plus/Baiterek Media. JPG.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Kurz, William S. SJ. Acts of the Apostles. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013. Kindle.
2. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015. Kindle.
3. Montague, George T. SM. First Corinthians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011. Kindle.
4. Vanhoye, Cardinal Albert and Peter. S. Williamson. Galatians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2019. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Trinity: 221, 687
2. The Spirit reveals the Father and the Son: 243-48
3. The Spirit’s mission: 258, 729, 737
4. Apostolic witness on Pentecost: 599, 597, 674, 715
5. The risen Jesus: 641-46
6. Fire as a symbol of the Holy Spirit: 696
7. Pentecost: 696, 726, 731-41, 830, 1076, 1287, 2623
8. Guidance and transformation by the Spirit: 736, 1695, 1832, 2744
9. The Holy Spirit and the Church: 737-41
10. The Church, communion in the Spirit: 767, 775, 798, 796, 813, 1097, 1108-9
11. Union in the body of Christ: 789-91
12. Discerning charisms: 801
13. Communion of charisms: 951
14. The mystery of Pentecost continues in the Church: 1152, 1226, 1302, 1556
15. Effects of Confirmation: 1302-5
16. The sacrament of reconciliation: 1461-67
17. Penance and conversion: 1470
18. The Spirit is the new law: 1966, 1983
19. Idolatry: 2113
20. The flesh is concupiscence: 2515

Pentecost Sunday
Mass during the Day https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052321-Day.cfm
Lectionary: 63

Reading 1
Acts 2:1-11
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”

Responsorial
Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or: R. Alleluia.
Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD, my God, you are great indeed! How manifold are your works, O LORD! the earth is full of your creatures.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or: R. Alleluia.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD be glad in his works! Pleasing to him be my theme; I will be glad in the LORD.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or: R. Alleluia.
If you take away their breath, they perish and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. or: R. Alleluia.

Reading 2
1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13
Brothers and sisters: No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.

As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

OR:

Galatians 5:16-25
Brothers and sisters, live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

Alleluia
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Jonn 20:19-23
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

OR:

John 15:26-27
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.”

John 16:12-15
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now. But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.

January 5, 2020January 5, 2020

Gifts of the Magi

Scene of the magi presenting gifts to the newborn Jesus

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The Epiphany of the Lord Mass Readings
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6
Responsorial: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13
Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3A, 5-6
Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010520.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Thank you for joining me today on Epiphany for another episode of deacon rudy’s notes. Just a reminder, we in the countdown to launch our new installments on Wednesdays called “All Things Catholic,” where together we will explore our faith and try to understand what it means to be Catholic. Don’t forget to send me your suggestions by clicking the comment form on the website www.deaconrudysnotes.org or by sending me an email to rudy@deaconrudysnotes.org.

This weekend we celebrate Epiphany, when the wise men presented their gifts to Jesus. These wise men, who were not Jewish, presented gifts for a king: gold, frankincense and myrrh. So, the first thing we can observe about the arrival of the Magi is that they affirm that Jesus came to save everyone – not just the Chosen.

But what do the gifts of the Magi mean for us today?

Well, I believe the second observation we can make about today’s readings is that Jesus is not king in response to our gifts. He came to humanity first, and in response we present our gifts to Him. That’s a very important point in understanding our faith. Whatever we do or offer is in response to the unmerited gift of God’s mercy and love.

I think the readings today challenge us to offer Jesus Christ our gifts just like the Magi. That’s the third observation today. But how do we do that? By following Jesus’ example. Jesus offered Himself for our salvation. So too, we can offer ourselves as a form of praise and worship. But how?

There are at least two ways that we can offer ourselves as gifts to the Lord.

First, we need to remember that Jesus established His church on earth. That church, whose mission it is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, needs our talents and our financial contributions. So, we sacrifice time to volunteer to share our talents with the community. But our churches have to keep the lights on; they need to keep the heat running and staff to serve our communities. That means we need to sacrificially give of the financial blessings we’ve received to help the church in its mission.

But wait – there’s more! We can’t just phone-in our discipleship. Jesus left us two great commandments. We are to, “…love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and we need to, “…love our neighbor as yourself,” (Matthew 22:37-39).

And who is our neighbor?

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells us that everyone – everyone is our neighbor (see Luke 10:29-37). So, the second way that we offer ourselves as gifts is to reach out to those around us, like our family and friends, and every single person we encounter with love and compassion.

That has real implications for our everyday lives. We present our gifts in praise and worship to Jesus when we treat other people with dignity and respect (which are ways that we can show love). This can create opportunities for an encounter with Jesus Christ. We present empty gifts to Jesus when we do the opposite, that can actually lead people away from Jesus.

That means that when we treat other people like they don’t matter, especially people we disagree with like in politics, then we turn our backs on Jesus.

When we discriminate against someone because they don’t look or sound like us or because they are an immigrant (legal or illegal), we turn our back on Jesus.

When we discriminate against someone because of their sexual orientation, we turn our back on Jesus.

When we hoard possessions and fail to share with others who are less fortunate, we turn our back on Jesus.

Jesus teaches us time and again that our call is to reach out and meet people where they are, not to render judgment and scorn people. The gifts of the Magi challenge us to consider the gifts we bring to Jesus. That leads us to our HOMEWORK! Having been nourished by the Eucharist and in the Word of God proclaimed, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions this week.

The Magi presented their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. How do I share my gifts with those in need?
The Magi asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?” How can I help others encounter Christ?

I think doing our homework this week will help us grow in discipleship of Christ Jesus. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. +Amen!

References:

Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
Mitch, Curtis, and Edward Sri. The Gospel Of Matthew. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2014.
Williamson, Peter S. Ephesians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.

Catechism Links: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

Epiphany, 528
Holy Spirit manifesting Christ through Mary, 724
The Father reveals the mystery by sending Christ, 50
The Apostolic Tradition, 75-76
A new People of God not based on physical descent, 781-82

Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010520.cfm
First Reading Isaiah 60:1-6
Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.

Then you shall be radiant at what you see,
your heart shall throb and overflow,
for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,
the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.
Caravans of camels shall fill you,
dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;
all from Sheba shall come
bearing gold and frankincense,
and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Responsorial
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13.
R. (cf. 11) Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king’s son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.
R. Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Second Reading
Ephesians 3:2-3A, 5-6
Brothers and sisters:
You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace
that was given to me for your benefit,
namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.
It was not made known to people in other generations
as it has now been revealed
to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,
and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Alleluia
Matthew 2:2
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 2:1-12
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
“Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.

January 21, 2019January 21, 2019

14 Our Gifts

Photo of stained glass window of a dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit

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2nd Sunday ordinary time

Mass Readings
Reading 1 – Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm – Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 7-8, 9-10
Reading 2 – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Gospel – John 2:1-11

Today we’re going to talk about the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. In today’s Gospel, we hear the familiar story about the Wedding Feast at Cana. In the Gospel, they’re running out of wine. Mary, noticing the situation, goes to Jesus. Now this is really important because it underscores our understanding of who Mary is. What does she do? Mary, the first disciple, intercedes-she asks Jesus for help. Then she turns to the servants and tells them to do whatever he asks. This is important because of some of the questions and comments I receive. We Catholics do not worship Mary. We do not believe Mary has power on her own. Mary cannot save us. Only Jesus can save us. But Mary can help us. Why? But we believe we’re a community. We believe in the communion of saints – a community of disciples. So just like we can ask each other for prayers, we can ask our deceased family and friends for their intercessory prayers and we can ask Mary and the saints for their intercessory prayers.

Is this effective? Yes! But Jesus doesn’t simply provide some wine. No! the Gospel says that Jesus provided the best wine! God loves us so much that he will lavish us with his grace – with His blessings – with His gifts. That’s what we find the first reading today. In Isaiah 62, we hear that the Lord delights in you.

St. Paul tells us today in Corinthians that we as disciples of Jesus have gifts. Some receive very particular gifts. But these gifts are not for own sake. Our gifts are meant to be shared with the community. Now, another way of looking at this Gospel is that Jesus shares His gift with the community. So we too are called to follow Jesus’ example and share our gifts.

Ok, so how do I know what gifts and talents I have and how do I know God’s will for my life? Understanding ourselves, our gifts and our call is a process we call discernment. There are many ways to do this, and we usually hear about discernment at moments of change in our lives, but Pope Francis in his book, Rejoice and Be Glad, tells us we need to know if something comes from the Holy Spirit. Discernment itself is a gift that we should nurture over the course of our lives. Here is just very quick summary of what that process looks like: prayer, reflection, reading and good counsel.<1>

If we’re trying to understand our gifts, then we need to be attentive and reflective, that is to say, we need to try to understand through prayer and reflection what our gifts and talents are and how God might be asking us to use them. Part of this process includes seeking input from the people around you, like your family and friends, your spiritual director, or other staff or volunteers at your parish who know you. You see, our gifts will bear fruit and sometimes it takes looking at ourselves through the eyes of another person to help us see them.

Discernment is not just for the young and just for moments of big change in our lives. We should nurture discernment throughout our lives. Pope Benedict gives us a great example of discernment. In discerning it was time for him to retire, he taught us that where and how God calls us today might change down the road. Being open to God‘s will for our life means we need to have the courage to make adjustments in our lives from time to time.

By developing a better understanding of our talents and gifts, we are in a better position to share our gifts with the community. That’s what Scripture asks us to do. We need to go out in to the world, to be what Pope Francis calls missionary disciples sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, or as our psalmist says today, to proclaim His marvelous deeds to all the nations.

Homework! Inspired by the Eucharist and the Word of God proclaimed, let’s work on the following this week:

Spend a few minutes in quiet this week and ask yourself what signs of God do you recognize in your life?
How can you improve how you share your gifts with others at your current stage in life?
Bonus homework: read about the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Galatians Chapter 5.<2>

I think by doing our homework this week we might develop a better sense of our call as missionary disciples. May each of us come to know the grace and peace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. +Amen!

<1> Francis. Rejoice and Be Glad: Gaudete Et Exsultate; Apostolic Exhortation. Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2018.
<2> Galatians 5:22

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