many gifts, one spirit

In the name of God, merciful Father, compassionate Son, spirit of Wisdom. Amen.

There are many different gifts, but it is always the same Spirit; there are many different ways of serving, but it is always the same Lord. There are many different forms of activity, but in everybody it is the same God who is at work in them all. The particular manifestation of the Spirit granted to each one is to be used for the general good.... But at work in all these is one and the same Spirit, distributing them at will to each individual. (1 Corinthians 12: 4-7, 11)

Different gifts are all the work of the same Spirit, working in each person as God wills.

Different gifts are all manifestations, showings, of the same Lord.

Every gift, every time the Spirit shows itself in a life, and a work, is for the good of all.

In every gift, every showing, every life, the light of Christ shines — and shines through.

The light does not stop with us but through us shines into the world, showing it the glory of God.

How does Jesus show up in your life? How does the Spirit shine through you?


The Spirit showed up in the life of Jesus in many different ways and lives.

At his birth shepherds came to witness the message of the angels – and to see its truth borne out. “You will find a child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

At the visit of the Magi the Spirit shined through a star – and through the testimony of wise people from the east, seeking the one born King of the Jews. They paid him homage at Bethlehem.

At his presentation in the Temple Jesus was recognized by Simeon and by Anna. Simeon sang his praise to the Lord – ‘I have seen with my own eyes the deliverance you have made ready in full view of all nations.’ Anna ‘talked about the child to all who were looking for the liberation of Jerusalem.’ (Luke 2:25-38)

At the baptism of our Lord the Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove. And there came a voice from heaven: ‘You are my beloved Son; in you I delight.’ (Luke 3:22)

Later Jesus would stand up in the synagogue at Nazareth, read from the scroll of Isaiah of the year of the Lord’s favor being proclaimed – and proclaim, ‘Today in your hearing this text has come true.’ (4:21)

Up on the mountain, where he took Peter and John and James to pray, they heard two men speak of his departure, of the destiny he was to fulfill in Jerusalem; and they beheld his glory.

And yet his hour had not yet come, not even then: it came on the cross; and it was on the Cross that he was glorified, and glorified God.

All these were manifestations of God at work in the world. But why was his glory shown at a wedding?

Why at Cana in Galilee, as a guest at a wedding? Why was it there that he performed the first of the signs that revealed his glory – and led his disciples to believe in him?

The baptism in the waters of Jordan was a preparation; the wedding-feast is a celebration.

Different partners bring different steps to the dance; marriage is a conjoining of two families, two households – each bringing its own special character, its own manifestation of the creative and generative spirit of God. A wedding brings the promise of blessing, of fruitfulness and delight. And we all delight in the glorious appearance of the bride.

Each partner in a marriage complements the other. A new life is forged between them.

A marriage is the beginning of a journey, a setting-out on a new life together.

Different guests bring different gifts; we are surprised as Jesus was when a guest is asked to turn host. ‘They have no wine left.’ And Jesus at first declines, as his mother nudges him. ‘My hour has not yet come.’ The hour of his glory, the hour of his revealing, that is yet to come, is the hour of the cross.

But then he says, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And water that was poured into stone jars for purification – as the waters of baptism purify – was turned into wine. This was the sign:

Jesus is the Messiah, the one who brings transformation to our world. This is his glory: the glory as of the Father in his only Son. The new day is coming – and it is dawning now.

In the book of the prophet Isaiah, the promise is made: O Jerusalem, city of God, your day of mourning will end; kings shall see your glory.

No more will you be called Forsaken, no more will your land be called Desolate – these terms will no longer apply. For the Lord will take delight in you and to him your land will be linked in wedlock. God will be the one who rebuilds you – and as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so will your God rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:1-5)

As a bridegroom over a bride, God rejoices over the one he restores. God rejoices over the restored intimacy with his beloved people – and calls them his Delight.

God rejoices over the desolate city he rebuilds.

As many gifts show one Spirit for the common good, so many ways of giving and gifts of service show God’s glory as we work together to build up the city of God in the midst of the human predicament.

Each person’s gift is built together into the house of God’s glory.


People who struggle through the rubble of a major earthquake, to restore their lives, the lives of loved ones, and the lives of total strangers,

People who reach out to those with whom they share common humanity;

Relief and development workers already in country, recovering or mourning lost colleagues, family and friends, yet still on the job,

Aid workers seeking to find a way into the disaster area to help;

People who give to the relief of the victims;

People that volunteer, answering phones and receiving donations,

And people, who knowing gifts in kind won’t work right now for that need, give instead to a local food project or homeless shelter,

All these people with their various ways of giving, their variety of gifts, manifest the same Spirit of God, rebuilding, restoring.

And the same Lord is walking with us, working with us, through each long day and night, toward the restoration and the hope of a future of peace, and a renewal of the wholeness of life – a future some will only see where sorrow and pain are no more. Peace is coming.

Guided by compassion and common sense, wisdom and charity, we pull together, to bring into being in this very tangible way a foretaste of the heavenly banquet – the feast that is endless, the celebration of the peace and the reign of God.

Come to us, Lord Jesus, come to us in the work you have given us to do. Come to us in the breaking of bread and in the prayers. Come to us as you comfort the fallen, come to us as you clothe the naked, come to us as you visit those who are sick or in prison. Come to us even as you are there, in those people – those people with whom you walk and whom you serve.

Come to us even as you send us forth into your world, to do what you have called us to do. Empower us with your gifts for your glory, that each of us may show in our lives your glory, at work for the common good. Send us out rejoicing in the power of your Spirit.

Amen. Alleluia.

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