Varieties of Gifts, but the Same Spirit
This year I have been reading through the New Testament in the Golden Children’s Bible with my fourth grade class. Over the past few days we have been reading the letters of Paul. The life of Jesus was very exciting to read because I could share typology tidbits. I find it so exciting how the events of the Old Testament prefigure the life of Jesus. It proves that although we cannot see it at the moment, God has a plan.
But the letters of Paul…I just don’t find them as exciting as the destruction of Sodom and Gamorrah, Elijah’s battle against the prophets of Baal, the overturning of tables, and the miracles of Jesus. Paul wrote many beautiful words on love, wisdom, and the mystical body of Christ. When reading the letters of Paul I feel inadequate as a Catholic, as though I should appreciate his words more and want to read them every day. Recently, however, I have come to appreciate Paul’s words on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul explains the mystical body of Jesus. Each member of the Church bears witness to the truth through different means. Paul writes, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common Good,” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). God gives each person unique gifts and talents and the Holy Spirit inspires each person to use these gifts for the glory of God. Over the past few days this passage has come to my mind. The first time was when I read it with the fourth graders and explained to them the beauty of the passage. The next time I encountered the passage was yesterday evening at my cousin’s confirmation. This afternoon I recalled the passage again after watching Matt Talbot: Urban Mystic.
Matt Talbot is a moving documentary about an Irishman who struggled with an alcohol addiction, but turned his life around by turning to prayer and devotion. It is inspiring how Talbot recognized what behaviors were not setting him up for success, and through sheer grace and grit changed his habits. On his way home from work, instead of loitering in the pub with his friends, he would pray in a church. He would not carry money with him so that if he was tempted to go into a pub, he could not purchase a drink. Redirecting one’s actions is an important step in overcoming addiction.
I watched the documentary at an event hosted by Martin Saints Classical High School. Afterwards, the director of the film, Bill Rose, spoke to the audience about the process and mission of his work. The mission of this movie is to convey a message of hope to the viewer. No struggle is too great when you ask God for help and forgiveness. Talbot’s story has inspired so many people struggling with addiction.
Kristyn Brown, who helped with costume design and graphic design for the film, spoke about how moving it was to work on the film. Rose mentioned Brown’s Saint Project and how he has included her images of real people as saints in his prayer life. It was beautiful to hear about how Rose, Brown, and the other people on the production team used their different gifts to make the documentary.
Scripture is not meant to be read in a vacuum. Reading the letters of Paul without context is quite draining, but seeing how prevalent the Holy Spirit was in the production of the Matt Talbot documentary brought the passage from Paul to life. Each member on the production team is inspired by the same Spirit and working towards the same goal: sending a message of hope.
