The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
February 2, 2025
(1 Corinthians 12:27–31, NIV84) “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.”
Last week you read that the Holy Spirit gives gifts and a simple listing of gifts God gives. Surely we could add more in 2025. Not everyone has been given the same gifts. But whatever our gifts, what does God want us to do with them?
In these verses you see how different people have been called to use those gifts of the Holy Spirit.
What are your goals in life? It seems that many people want nothing more than to have great earthly wealth or power or honor – or all of those things – and the possessions that go along with them.
Did you notice all these gifts from the Holy Spirit involve serving? Serving God and serving our fellow men, especially those of the household of faith.
Let us desire gifts that will lead us to serve. Not for ourselves, to become richer or more powerful. May such fruits of faith adorn our lives!
Lord, preserve us from the temptation to serve only ourselves!
Prayer
Almighty God, who knows us to be in the middle of so many and great dangers and because of the frailty of our human nature we cannot always stand upright, grant to us such strength and protection as may support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations. This we ask through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen
