One of the greatest blessings of my priesthood has been the experience of being around people who possess gifts I don’t have. So often, I am put into situations where my ministry relies on others using their talents and charisms for the good of others. This dynamic used to bother me when I was first ordained, probably because of my insecurity and a sense of inadequacy. I wanted to be all things to all people and when I wasn’t, I felt I was letting them down. But over time, I’ve realized that none of us are called to be a one-stop shop for the needs of others, no matter how talented or well-intentioned we are. God gave each of us gifts for the good of others to be shared and used collaboratively. As I have accepted this version of reality, I have found joy in seeing the gifts of others at work. Here are some examples:
When I ride with the police, I marvel at how these men and women can absorb the fear and chaos around them while maintaining a sense of calm and critical thinking to provide safety and de-escalate the situation. It is a thing of beauty to watch moms and dads practice the art of parenting, naturally ministering to each of their children in creative ways that acknowledge the individual character every child is. I am edified by doctors and nurses who genuinely love and care for their patients who are also my parishioners. As I visit and anoint patients, I notice the little things these healers do to comfort the sick, the fearful, and the hurting. Their compassion, not only towards the patient, but also their loved ones in the room is inspiring and amazing to watch. I see another set of gifts at work in those who teach in our school and PSR. So often they make connections between a subject that is hard to understand and a student who is struggling to make sense of it. They pay attention to little things like making sure they encourage the student as they figure things out, constantly adjusting the ratio of challenging a child vs affirming them, knowing what each student needs as an individual and teaching to their personality and background. In all of these cases, what really stands out is how these helpers treat each person as a unique individual rather than just a problem to be dealt with. As I observe gifted practitioners around me, I learn so much and try to incorporate some of their wisdom and grace into my own ministry. More than anything, I end up being grateful that God has shared so much richness and diversity in the experience of being human and loving others in his Name.
If this is true with imperfect humans, it’s even more incredible to see Jesus being an amazing healer in the miracle described by St. Mark in the gospel; a man who was deaf and impaired in speech once again can hear and speak. Today’s healing is different than many Jesus does with a simple word or gesture. At first glance, the way Jesus performs the miracle seems undignified or even silly.
Why this show, which looks embarrassing for Jesus? Like a kindergarten teacher who kneels down so she can be at the level of her small student, Jesus helps the man understand and participate in every step of his own healing! First, Jesus lets the deaf man know he is seeking spiritual closeness with him; the Lord communicates this by placing his fingers into the deaf man’s ears and his saliva into the deaf man’s mouth. By this graphic, hands-on method, Jesus invites the deaf man to accept Jesus into his person—literally. Then, he looks up to heaven to show the deaf man the source of Jesus’ power. It doesn’t come from some magic in Jesus’ fingers or spittle. It comes from God, whose power is incarnate in Jesus. Even the groaning of Jesus makes sense if we think of it in this way. The deaf man sees Jesus open his mouth to make the inarticulate sound of groaning. This deaf man doesn’t speak, but even those unable to talk can groan. In groaning, Jesus joins the deaf man in solidarity.
Last of all, the the deaf man sees Jesus speaking an articulate word to him, to the man who cannot hear. In doing this, Jesus is inviting the deaf man to trust him, to choose to accept the miracle—to choose to hear the saving and healing word that Jesus speaks to him.
In this beautiful story, Jesus humbles himself to share the limitations of the deaf man. He changes his method to help the person in front of him who is different than the many others he has healed. By treating this man as a unique individual, the love of the Lord heals the deaf man’s soul as well as his ears. Might this be one of the reasons St. James tells us to make no distinction between rich or poor in our churches but rather see each and every person as a unique and equally precious creation, resisting the temptation to classify others into groups and categories?
Jesus does the same for each of us. We are not problems to be solved or broken machines to be fixed; we are persons made in God’s image and likeness. While his teaching and message remain constant, Christ will reach out to every person in the way that most respects their individual needs and circumstances. His healing will always be administered in the perfect manner for us at that time. God loves all of us in a way that is unique; it never has and never will be repeated. Rejoice in that love. Celebrate the fact that we are the beneficiaries of Jesus perfect love and goodness in every part of our life. Then humbly reflect on the particular gifts and special charisms God has shared with you. Develop them, refine them, and share them with others. Celebrate and encourage others in their gifts; do not be jealous or dismissive. None of us has everything people need but all of us have been given something to share. May we receive the Lord’s personal love in our lives and then humbly share that love through our own gifts with the people placed in our care.
