Orchestrating the different gifts

WE know that the Church is both hierarchical and

charismatic in nature. As charismatic, the Church continues to receive

from God through Christ in the Holy Spirit special gifts and charisms

to keep the Church strong, vibrant and faithful. These gifts and

charisms are first given to certain persons who have to try their best

to live out those charisms for the good of the whole Church.

   

            To be sure, these gifts and charisms are not meant only

for the persons who are the direct recipients of such gifts and

charisms, nor for the institutions that are inspired by these

charisms. These gifts and charisms are meant for the whole Church.

  

            While each gift and charism has its distinctive character

and purpose, and those involved with it should be faithful to it, it

has to be understood also that no gift and charism can stand on its

own alone. It has to refer itself to the hierarchy of the Church and

to the other gifts and charisms that the whole Church has received.

  

            Between the hierarchical and the charismatic aspects of

the Church, the former has dominance over the latter, since it is the

hierarchical aspect that Christ established in a visible way from the

Church’s foundation, while the latter, though already present in the

beginning of the Church, is largely invisible and therefore needs to

be acknowledged and regulated by the former.

  

            This means that those involved with these special gifts

and charisms should submit themselves to the Church hierarchy. They

should also try their best to relate themselves to those of the other

gifts and charisms in the Church, so that a certain synergy can be

achieved among them for the good of the whole Church. What should be

avoided is to have an individualistic and isolationist outlook, and to

fall into petty rivalries, envies and fault-finding among themselves.

  

            This way, they live out what St. Paul said about the

different parts of the body that work together under the same spirit

for the good of the body. These are his words: “Just as each of us has

one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same

function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member

belongs to all the others.

  

            “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to

each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance

with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then

teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is

giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if

it is show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (Rom 12,4-8)

  

            Obviously, the hierarchy has the great responsibility not

only of supervising and encouraging those with these special gifts and

charisms, but also and more importantly of orchestrating all these

gifts and charisms so that the ideal synergy can be achieved among all

of them for the good of the Church.

   

            The practical implications of this concern can be that

those in the hierarchy should develop the keen interest in knowing

more about each of these special gifts and charisms, spending time

with those involved, knowing and monitoring the developments in those

charism-inspired institutions, etc.

  

            Those of the hierarchy obviously have many things on their

plate, but this fact does not excuse them from their grave

responsibility toward those with special gifts and charisms. They have

to have a pro-active attitude toward them, an attitude that should be

nourished in their prayers and sacrifices.

  

            They certainly have to thoroughly study about how to

orchestrate these different gifts and charisms, always asking for

guidance from the Holy Spirit.