Simple Gifts...Miraculous Gifts

Readings: Jeremiah 7:1-11, I Corinthians 12:1-11


During this past week of 100+ degree temperatures and drought all around us,  one's thoughts quickly turn from all the wants of luxury and turn to the needs of basic precious gifts such as the relief of a breeze or a glass of water.


Simple gifts...miraculous gifts.


Perhaps this is a good time for us to look inwardly with a bit of introspection. Our excessive wants have somehow morphed into perceived needs. Yet are we any happier? Or are we endlessly searching, thinking that the next purchase or acquisition will help us find that elusive feeling of peace?


Our ultimate happiness and fulfillment peace is already with us...simple, yet miraculous gifts. 


Jeremiah 7:5-7 tells us "If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless, or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place in the land I gave to your forefathers forever and ever." It truly comes down to having one God and to loving our neighbors as ourselves. Simple, miraculous gifts we can give to one another.


Yet we're warned in verse 8 that "But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless." We're caught up in endless advertising that originates from unknown and uninterested sources with one solitary goal in mind--that we consume. As a result, we find ourselves in a loop...the Dalai Lama once gave the following answer when he was asked what surprised him the most about humanity: 'Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies, have never really lived.'" We are given the chance to truly live and experience life--we just get too busy to accept the simple yet miraculous gifts.


Just what are these simple, yet miraculous gifts? I Corinthians 12:7-11 tells us: "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the gift of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge, by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit and he gives them to each one, just as He determines." 


We are offered these simple, yet miraculous gifts--all we need do is accept and share with others.


Peace be with you.