Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved. http://www.usccb.org/bible/approved-translation
Today the Prep community will be celebrating our annual Mass of the Holy Spirit. Just like the community at Corinth, we too have been blessed with a diversity of gifts, talents, and forms of service, all of which originate from the Holy Spirit. God has blessed us abundantly with 1024 students who are each created in the image and likeness of God and who each contribute unique gifts and talents to our community. And during today’s Mass we will have a “missioning” ceremony where student representatives from 70 different Prep clubs, activities, and teams, will receive a cross and a blessing.
I think this is a good reminder for us of the many parts that form our one Christian community. No one group, club, team, or activity makes up Prep. We all need each other and it is important for us to recognize the gifts and talents that each of us contributes to the community….from the varsity athlete, to the retreat leader, to our academic and fine arts groups, etc. Whenever we “downplay” a particular member of our community, our entire school suffers. So let’s pray in thanksgiving for the diversity of gifts that God has bestowed upon us and pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to unite the Creighton Prep community.
-Dave Lawler is Prep’s Director of Campus Ministry.
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.
—St. Augustine of Hippo
Please share the Good Word with your friends!
