“STRIVE FOR THE GREATER GIFTS. . .”

Whether we live in the first or the twenty-first century after our Lord’s birth, Christians often face surprisingly similar issues. So, in many ways, life in the modern city of Hartford isn’t all that different from life in the ancient city of Corinth. Rebuilt by Julius Caeser in 44 B.C., Corinth is not only a large, prosperous, urban center, it is the capital city of the Roman province of Achaia.

Like Hartford, its population is ethnically, culturally and religiously diverse.
Like Hartford, the politically powerful, financially abundant and intellectually accomplished are the insiders.
Like New England’s rising star, the wealthy are few and the poor are plentiful.

Like us, the members of the Corinthian church are a diverse group of folks. And, like us, they repeatedly face the challenge of learning how to be Christ’s body – how to live as one body in the midst of a culture that encourages them to think in terms of
us and them,
insiders and outsiders,
somebodies and nobodies.

What makes some people think that they are better than others?
And what does that say about the God who made each one of us?
Does God really make somebodies and nobodies?

Having bought into the culture’s way of defining people, the Corinthians are making a habit of comparing themselves to one another, using their gifts to tear each other down, not to build each other up. The only difference is that they put a Christian twist on it.

Indulging in that kind of thinking poisons Christ’s body. And that’s exactly what happens to the Corinthians. Various factions begin vying for power, wealthier members marginalize poorer members, and some even start prioritizing spiritual gifts – with theirs being at the top, of course, and a sign of their higher spiritual status, of course.

Unlike the Corinthians, most of us don’t think that speaking in tongues is a sign that we are better or more valid Christians than others. But we are still encouraged to think that some gifts are better than others.

And if we are on the short end of the comparison stick, many of us are tempted to doubt ourselves – and God:
She is a better singer than I. Maybe God doesn’t love me as much.
His prayers are so moving and eloquent. Maybe I’m not as good a Christian.
They devote so much time to that ministry. Maybe my ministry isn’t as valid.

In my case, there’s one gift I’ve always wanted. Shortly after I was received into the Episcopal Church, a fellow parishioner, a friend of mine, invited me to join the church’s gospel choir. Well, when I was a child, I would stand on the stump of a mango tree my father had cut down in our yard and “sing” to the neighborhood. . . plus I would serve as the back up singer for my very talented older brother, Roger. But those things did not alter the fact that I not only couldn’t hold a note, I couldn’t even find it.

So when Rose – who is not only a talented singer and a gifted musician, but a remarkable psychologist, a great cook, and now a marvelous priest – asked me to join the choir, I said “no.” But she and others persisted, pointing out that a few other members couldn’t sing all that well, that it was an opportunity for fellowship, and that it would be a great way to become more involved in the life of the church. I really liked the folks in the choir, so I joined. For the two years I struggled, and eventually learned how to lip sync my way through many a hymn.

When I was in seminary, I finally had to accept the fact that being able to sing is not one of my gifts. During my field education placement, the choirmaster began teaching me how to chant. My first major assignment was to chant the dismissal (“Let us bless the Lord, alleluia”). At the end of the service on the appointed Sunday, I stood at the back of the church, listened for the note from the organist, opened my mouth, and froze. Silence. More silence. Nothing came out. Finally, with the rector’s arms around my shoulders, I managed to produce a shall-we-say rather interesting version of the dismissal.

Having done nothing for my self-confidence, I have since learned to accept that musical talent is not one of my God-given gifts.

Through Paul, God reminds the Corinthians, and us, that each part of Christ’s body has a different function and each part is important. So, as we gather together for worship today:
The altar flowers are beautifully arranged, thanks to the altar guild
The church is clean and polished, thanks to the sexton
The music is wonderfully uplifting, thanks to the choir

All important ministries – all fellow Christians working together to build up the body of Christ. But does that mean that we are less if we don’t serve in the more visible ministries of the Cathedral?

I suspect that many visitors would say that it is the warm welcome – a smile, a handshake, an act of kindness or consideration – shown them by folks who sit in the pews around them that is at least as – if not more – important to them as how helpful the sermon is.

Each one of us is chosen by God to be a unique expression of God. It is up to us to discern what our God-given gifts are, how we are called to develop them, and how we are called to use them.

And, when we do that, we honor God. We honor God whenever we:
Learn to accept ourselves – our gifts as well as our limitations
Choose to judge ourselves by God’s – not human - standards
Spend time and energy developing the gifts we do have – instead of the ones we don’t.

When we do that, we honor God.

From January 18-25, all Christians are encouraged to participate in a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This year’s themes are: “to pray and strive together for Christian unity, and to join together in responding to human suffering.” Both are deeply interrelated, because, as Archbishop Desmond Tutu reminded the 5th World Conference on Faith and Order in 1993 concerning the apartheid era, “apartheid was too strong for a divided church.”

Surely, as we look about our city streets, our nation and our world, we can say:
“Poverty and violence are too strong for a divided church.”
“Racism and homophobism are too strong for a divided church.”
“Hopelessness and hunger are too strong for a divided church.”

Paul reminds the Christians in Corinth, and the Christians in Hartford, to strive always for the greater gifts – to strive for the gifts that build up the body of Christ. Because, as members of Christ’s body, whenever we help strengthen others, we are all strengthened.