Reading Francis

Who’s on your team?

Today’s Mass readings include a great passage from Romans 12 that is translated in a way that makes it more engaging:

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: 

if prophecy, in proportion to the faith;

if ministry, in ministering;

if one is a teacher, in teaching;

if one exhorts, in exhortation;

if one contributes, in generosity; 

if one is over others, with diligence; 

if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

By putting everything in the first person, we’re invited to think about which of these gifts might be ours individually – which one of these are you, which one of these am I, etc.

But, as someone whose favorite movie remains Oceans Eleven, I love the idea of using this to put together your own dream team.

Who do you know that always seems to see beneath the surface to what’s really going on in a situation or with someone?

Who do you know that is so good at anticipating the needs of others and taking care of them?

Who do you know that can help anyone learn something without making them feel stupid?

Who do you know that always knows the right way to encourage you when you’re exasperated or defeated?

Who do you know that always gives 100%?

Who do you know that leads in a way that feels like they’re serving others?

Who do you know that always volunteers for the most menial task?

You probably couldn’t (or wouldn’t) rob a casino with that team. But Paul seems to think you could build God’s family with them.