St. Paul intends to set up a standard of guidelines to enhance the life of Christian community. The use of spiritual gifts seems to be the approach to the development of community and the cohesiveness whereby the gifts in operation will bring it about. In order for this to develop one needs to be transformed as opposed to being conformed by the existing standards of society which may be void of Christian principles and values. One must take a stand and shape the culture as opposed to reflecting it. How is this accomplished? It is not going to be something set up by laws but rather a reflection of God's love and graciousness enhanced by the Spirit. According to verses one and two there needs to be a relinquishing of the will of the one seeking to participate in this transformation. A type of metamorphosis the caterpillar becoming the butterfly. The sense of yielding to something greater than yourself but as in this case it is one's creator. And if this be the case then the living sacrifice goes on living, but living in the newness of the Spirit.
To further develop this transformation we must realize that a cognitive decision to serve Christ is paramount to the acceleration of this process. This process needs to find itself in the decision making and commitment level of our personhood. What I think Paul is saying is that this is not just some feel good moment in time but the layers of this decision are far deeper than mere feelings and one who seeks to participate is making a decision that is life and death. This is a decision made with all the senses in agreement. The power behind this decision of spiritual worship is the power that comes from humility, for humility is a bowing down and coming under the direction and will of another and in this case it is the Lord Jesus Christ. This kind of decision is one that may go against the current of many previous choices and may even put one in jeopardy with familiar customs and behaviors or their closest friends and acquaintances and even cause one to change their lifestyle. Certainly the road less traveled and not for those who wish to conform. This may cause and individual to find themselves out on the fringes as Father Benedict would say.
Do not fret
for you have been chosen for this task and assigned your measure of faith to
participate with your specific gift to fit in the body of members where you will
accomplish great things for God. A place of importance, necessity, and
fulfillment. The way one carries out their gift of grace is with cheerfulness
and zeal. So be not weary in well doing and do not let the storms that confront
you take away your joy of fulfilling the call and task the Lord has put before
you. Yes we do know the devil creeps about like a roaring lion seeking who he
may devour but he has nothing over you; for you serve and obey the lion of Judah
and the evil one cannot touch you without permission. And when he is permitted
remember that greater is He that is in you then he that is in the world. So run
with the saints for one day you will look from above having laid your crown at
the master's feet and He will say well done thou good and faithful
servant.
His servants and yours,
Gerard & Yolanda Cleffi Directors
Oratory of Divine Love
"By the union with the Son and the Holy Spirit," says St. Cyril of Alexandria, "all of us who have believed and have been likened
to God, are partakers of the divine nature; and his not only in name, but in reality. For we have been glorified with a beauty surpassing all created beauty. For Christ is formed in us in an indescribable manner, not as one creature in another, but as God in created nature. Christ transforms us by the Holy Spirit into His image, and elevates us to an uncreated dignity." "What is essential and substantial in God," says St. Thomas, "exists as a quality superadded to nature in the soul which participates by in the divine love."
-Matthias Sheeben, Patrick Shaughnessy, O.S. B., S.T. D., The Glories of Divine Grace, St. Meinrad, Indianna, A Grail Publication, Pg.31
Almighty, ever-living God, you give strength to the weary and new courage to those who have lost heart. Hear the prayers of all who call on you in any trouble that they may have the joy of receiving your help in their need. We as this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
-Magnificat, Holy Week 2004, Vol. 6, No. 2, Pg.153