Affirming the Gifts, Blessings, and Passions from Heaven
There’s a story about a young boy named Samuel who lived in a small, impoverished village. Samuel had a peculiar habit of collecting discarded scraps—bits of metal, broken glass, and other things people deemed worthless. Most of the villagers laughed at him, dismissing him as a daydreamer. One day, the village well broke, leaving the community without a vital source of water. The villagers were at a loss. It was Samuel who stepped forward with the scraps he had carefully gathered. Using his collection, he crafted a makeshift pulley system to draw water from a nearby stream. His peculiar passion, mocked by others, became the salvation of the village.
Samuel’s story reminds us that gifts, blessings, and passions often come from surprising places. They may be misunderstood or overlooked, but when used in service of others, they reveal their true purpose and divine origin.
Today’s readings invite us to affirm and embrace the gifts, blessings, and passions that come from God. St. John reminds us in the first reading: “We are quite confident that if we ask the Son of God for anything, and it is in accordance with his will, he will hear us.” This confidence isn’t about asking for just anything; it’s about aligning our hearts with God’s will and trusting that what we’ve been given is meant for a purpose.
In the Gospel of John, John the Baptist says: “A man can lay claim only to what is given him from heaven.” John the Baptist, despite his followers’ concerns, humbly acknowledges that his role is not to be the Messiah but to prepare the way for Jesus. His mission, his passion, and his gifts all point back to God.
Like Samuel in the story, or John the Baptist in the Gospel, we are all entrusted with unique gifts. These gifts may not always seem extraordinary. They may even feel inadequate or unworthy compared to others. Yet, every gift we have—our talents, our blessings, our passions—is a reflection of God’s providence.
Sometimes, our gifts come from places of brokenness. Perhaps a painful experience has given you the gift of empathy or the passion to help others. Perhaps a struggle with doubt has deepened your faith and made you a witness to hope. God often uses unexpected places to pour out His blessings and equip us for His work.
John the Baptist teaches us the importance of humility and purpose. He could have sought glory for himself, but he recognized that his role was to point others to Christ. Similarly, our gifts are not for self-glorification but for the service of God and His people.
Affirming our gifts begins with gratitude—recognizing that all we have comes from heaven. It continues with discernment—asking how these gifts align with God’s will. And it is fulfilled in action—using our blessings and passions to build God’s kingdom.
Recognize Your Gifts and take time in prayer to reflect on the gifts, blessings, and passions God has given you. Consider both your strengths and the lessons learned from challenges.
Align them with God’s Will. Ask yourself how these gifts can serve others and glorify God. Remember the promise of 1 John 5: If we ask according to His will, He will hear us.
Just as the villagers eventually affirmed Samuel’s unique gift, we are called to affirm and encourage the gifts of others, helping them recognize their divine origin.
Notice the “scraps” in your life—the overlooked passions, the hidden blessings, the struggles that seem insignificant. Ask yourself: How might God use these for His glory? Like Samuel, like John the Baptist, may we humbly offer what we have and trust that all we need has already been given to us from heaven.