When we encounter opportunities to serve God, we don’t always respond in the way He desires. Perhaps we think we can’t because our schedule is too busy or we don’t feel qualified or that other people are doing it.
The Lord desires that His servants be willing to do anything: contribute talents, time, resources—and that they will seek His specific plan for them. He uniquely gifts followers to serve according to His will. But when we’ve already decided what we can’t do, won’t do, or are ill-equipped to do, then we’re acting by our own will. That doesn’t work.
St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 describes the composition of the Christian community with the analogy of the body where every part has a specific role to play for the benefit of the whole body. Imagine how our parish community will flourish if, as St. Paul analogizes, every parishioner takes up a role and participates actively in the parish life. It will be like heaven on earth. The same way it is discomforting for any part of the body to be inactive, same way any inactive member renders the church, the body of Christ, paralyzed, so to say.
No restriction exists on what God can do through the life of a willing helper, in the life of the members of Christ’s body. The strength of His Spirit overcomes human limitations. Don’t have enough courage? God can fix that. Don’t have the right skills? God can fix that.
Laying down our excuses is the wisest thing to do when serving the Lord. Trust that He will empower us to do whatever He calls us to do—and will see to it that we’re properly equipped and trained to do it (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). All He asks is that we say yes.
Are you thinking, and so feel called to take more active part in our parish ministries namely, being a Lector, Eucharistic minister, Sacristan, hospitality minister, choir minister, Altar Server, Children’s Liturgy minister, Youth minister, School minister, etc? Step up to the plate, don’t just be a spectator – join a St. Patrick Parish Ministry. If you are not certain where the Lord is calling you to serve, why not speak to Fr. Obioma; speak to other ministers; ask the Holy Spirit in prayer where you can serve and exercise your baptism calling, your Christian vocation. Don’t be a stranger. Don’t be shy. “Don’t ask what America can do for you;” said President J. F Kennedy, “ask what you can do for America.” This is even truer in the body of Christ, the Church.