Sharing Talents

How do you recognize a saint?  It’s easy in religious depictions.  They are the figures with halos around their heads.  But getting to the point where the faith community agrees that here is a special someone that the love of God shines through usually takes time.  Mostly it happens after they are dead- long after they are dead.  Then the remembrances are shared. Often there is a little imaginative embroidery about events to spice up the story. The details of their lives are gathered up in a nice instructive obituary called a hagiography.  There may even follow a miracle or two associated with prayers for healing or help.  After much deliberation, the Church collectively decides that certain persons are good examples of Christian lives.  So we ought to remember them and learn from them. The authorized Saints are then celebrated on special days of the year as part of our Church calendar. (Look up your birthday: you probably have a saint’s day associated with it.)  Today we commemorate all the saints.  Those who are big “S” Saints that we can name from our tradition.  And those  who are small “s” saints: who are harder to spot because they live among us.

The godly lives of people we know are often camouflaged.  They get on with their calling in quiet ways, not drawing a lot of attention to themselves.  It is only when we stop and reflect at how they have been involved in ministering to those around them that their deeds come to light.  But it is not just what they have accomplished, it is their manner that reflects the love of the Saviour.  When there is compassion and humility, cheerfulness and tolerance present in the helping of others, our attention isn’t drawn to the person responsible.  We are just thankful that the job gets done.

It is good for the community of faith to pause, every now and then, to give thanks for the ministries of those among us.  Not just a big show of gratitude for large financial donors or one-time efforts, but the steady, sacrificial investment of talents and time and treasure that everyday saints exhibit.  This is the reason behind the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster.  Our diocesan community gathers every two years to celebrate nominees from every parish across the Lower Mainland who exemplify the baptismal ministry of all believers in their diverse ways.  Every parish is given the job of spotting a saint in their midst who would never claim to be special, but who none-the-less points to the love of Christ in action. 

Each nomination is accompanied by a short biography of that person’s participation in the life of the Christian community.  Often this includes a list of offices held, ministries engaged in, and highlights of their involvement.  Frequently there is warmth and humour in the offering.  True saints are people that are able to laugh with others and laugh at themselves, knowing that we are all sinners too!  That’s a very good thing.

A funny thing happened yesterday at the ceremony for the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster.  One by one the recipients of the honour were called to the stage, clothed with a medallion, and shook hands with the bishop.  They came forward in order of archdeaconry and last name.  That meant that the recipient for Holy Trinity Cathedral was last of all in the list.  But the Master of Ceremonies must have flipped two pages at once in his notes.  Susan Stensgaard, Westminster archdeaconry, was missed and the M.C. began to proceed to the category of Bishop’s nominees.  There was a ruckus from the gathering.  “No.” was heard quite audibly as he began on the section. “Not yet”.  After a bit of fumbling and an apology, Susan was duly presented and received her award to great applause.  It doesn’t do to forget a saint!

That, I think, is a good reminder for all of us, who are saints and sinners all at Holy Trinity Cathedral.  We are just trying to do the work of ministry with who we have on hand.  There are those among us who have proven gifts for ministry. Their talents are put to use in what nurtures and guides the community.  However, just because someone is good at something doesn’t mean that they are the only person who can do it.  Saints have a responsibility to share their wisdom and knowledge: to help equip others for the work of ministry.  If you know how to do something, who are you teaching?  And if you are willing learn a talent, who might be able to teach you? 

There are many ways to be a small “s” saint here on earth. It could be as simple as making coffee or greeting those who come to a service.  It could be behind the scenes work like setting up for services or making breakfast burritos on Saturday. It could be using a skill you have outside of your church work: finances, teaching, marketing, communications, knowledge of trades or law or social advocacy.  God supplies us with individuals whose gifts can build up community.  But there is some sharing involved.  Both for those who have been involved for a long time and need to allow others to step up, and for those who are bringing new talents into the mix and are seeking a way to express their love of God.  The  goal is not glory or a medal or even a pat on the back (although that is nice from time to time).  Maybe someday people will look back and see that you have quietly and prayerfully done such good work that they want to name a saint’s day after you!  But until then, we are in this for the love of God and neighbour.

When I look out at a congregation, I see a whole sea of saints in progress.  Whether you have been recognized officially by the Church or not, today is an affirmation of your baptismal calling.  By your talents and your service, you are part of that number that even now is marching in towards the kingdom of heaven.  Let us bear with each other in love, encourage each other in our earthly ministry, and never forget that our Lord calls us all into the glorious light that is the communion of saints.  Amen.