We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them. St. Paul’s vision is that, while each individual can only do a little, the cumulative effect of those little gifts being exercised is what changes the world. So often when we see all the troubles in the world we are tempted to throw up our hands in despair. What can little old me do in the face of racism, war, a refugee crisis, poverty, gun violence? St. Paul would say, you can’t do everything but you can do something according to your giftedness. As he points out in the letter to the Romans sometimes our gifts seem simple to us — cheerfulness, encouragement, generosity, diligence — but they are levers that can move mountains. Give the gift you have and leave the rest in God’s hands.
