Empowering Another (07/22/2024)

This past weekend, I watched a teen, guided by the Spirit, empower another. I was at 4:30 mass. There were two servers, a high school sophomore and a 7th grader. It was clear that the younger was somewhat unsure of timing and tasks, yet the older guided quietly. Their teamwork was seamless. After mass, I encountered them together. The younger beamed. I gave him a high five. To the older, I whispered, “You do a wonderful job of empowering the younger servers. Thank you.” She smiled with an almost tears smile.

The greatest blessing, I’ve found, of being a teacher is helping another discover and use their gifts. I know that it is not me who does this. I know that it is the Spirit. But I am so grateful to the LORD when I am allowed to be channel of that grace. And seeing one helping others to grow into the persons the LORD is calling them to be give me such hope.

Our world is so blessed. Our problems aren’t because we haven’t been given what we need so much as a result of us not using what we’ve been given wisely, generously, and unselfishly. Think about it. We are all sisters and brothers in Christ. Could there be any greater vocation than helping a sister or brother discover and engage the potential woven in their being by our creator for the glory of the LORD and the good of others?

That day I was blessed to witness other selfless sacrifices as I journeyed to the parish center to unlock a door. I was blessed to have a key because of our funeral ministry. The one asking me for help had brought a plethora of goods from his farm for the parish festival booths. I thanked him for his generosity. He told me, “I just do what I can.” I replied, “Joe, that’s what makes you so special. You do what you can so consistently.”

Imagine what our world would look like if we all did what we could in the moment. If we all cooperated with the grace poured out upon us by the loving Spirit. Imagine the good we could empower in others, within our communities, within our world.

As we continue our journeys of faith, buoyed by hope in our almighty and all-loving LORD, and fueled by love for the LORD and others, let us open ourselves fully to the guidance of the Spirit and to cooperating with the graces of the Spirit. Let us commit to being sisters and brothers who empower one another to use all they have been created to be for the glory of the LORD and the good of one another.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.