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Homily for the Second Sunday In Ordinary Time
(Jan 14, 2007)

Story:  When Paul came out of his office on Christmas Eve, a boy was walking around his shiny new car, admiring it.  Is this your car, Mister?.
Paul answered: “My brother gave it to me for Christmas.
You mean your brother gave it to you free, and it didn’t cost you anything? Gosh I wish.. and hesitated.
Paul was so sure he was going to wish he had a brother like that, he was jarred when the boy added:            “I wish I could be a brother like that.”  This was back in the days when you could offer a child a ride, so Paul took the boy for a ride in his new car.       “Mister, would you mind driving in front of my house?”
Paul thought the boy wanted his neighbors to see him riding home in big automobile, but Paul was wrong again: The boy asked: “Would you stop in front of those steps?” then jumped out and ran up the steps. In a little while he came back carrying his crippled little brother. He sat beside him on the bottom step and pointing the car said: There she is Buddy. Just like I told you. His brother gave it to him for Christmas, and it didn’t cost him a cent; and someday I’m gonna give you one just like it. Then you can see all he pretty things in the Christmas windows that I’ve been trying to tell you about.”
    With a lump in his throat, Paul got out and lifted Buddy into the seat beside his older brother.             The three of them went on a Christmas Eve ride that none of them would ever forget. 

When you receive a gift what are you supposed to do with it?
What if you have a shiny new car, a beautiful body or a gifted mind?
When God gives you a gift, who is that gift really for? 

I) First you must realize that what you have is a Gift:
* When St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he was trying to straighten out those Christians who felt superior because of their wonderful spiritual treasures. Paul starts by making it quite clear that all their wisdom, knowledge, healing-power, speaking in tongues, miracle working and prophecy are gifts from God. These don’t belong to the one who receives them, but they are Charismata –Gifts – from God. 

II) Your gift was not given to you by God, just for your benefit, but for the whole Kingdom of God . 
- If you have a beautiful body or good looking face, is not for you alone, so you can stand all day looking in the mirror, but to bring beauty and joy into the world of all us looking at you.
-         If you have a great mind or a charismatic personality, it is to help solve the world’s problems and to lead people in the direction of justice, truth and peace.  
-         If God gives you a large amount of money, it is so that you can help people who are more in need than you are.
- If you have the gift of healing, it is so you can heal others. If you have the gift of prayer, it is so that you can pray for all your sisters and brothers. 
* Every Gift and every Charism of the Spirit is for the benefit of the whole Body of Christ

EG: Even though Satan tempted to do so, Jesus never used any of his gifts and powers for his own benefit. Christ came into our world so that he could give his life for all of us. He used his power to turn the water into wine, not to show off, but to help the groom and bride and to please his mother.                          
       Mary had the Gift of intercession with Jesus, but she did not use it for her needs, but rather for the needs of a family in distress as a wedding feast. 

EG: Back to Paul, with his shiny new car. He was taught on Christmas Eve by a boy he thought of as a street urchin, that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Wouldn’t it be great if more people would want to have a shiny new car so that they could give it to their brother or sister?  

Conclusion:  What am I to do with the gifts God has given me?
First I must realize that all my blessings have come to me as Gifts from God
If I recognize I am a member of Christ’s Body, I will use my gifts for the good of my brothers and sisters.
My gifts will serve those who need them. That is why God gave them to me.