Day 30 of Lent: April 3, 2025

1 Corinthians 12:4–7

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

During Lent, we often focus inward—on repentance, reflection, and the recognition of our need for grace. But in doing so, we may end up forgetting a powerful truth: even in this season of ashes, God has gifted us with purpose to continue working to share with the world.

Of course, we are not all the same.

God never intended us to be.

But we are all filled with the same Spirit.

Friends each of us, has been entrusted by God with unique gifts, callings, and even a spark of the divine. But this is not meant for just us alone, but for what our nations founders called the common good.

These gifts are how the alleluias of Easter begin to break into the world. Every act of kindness, every word of truth, every prayer lifted in faith—these are reminders of the power of the resurrection.

All of these are signs that death does not have the final word. They are signs that life is being continually being made anew.

Even in a world marked by division and despair, God  remains faithful. And the gifts—we have been given to share with the world are a mark of that faithfulness. Friends you and your gifts are needed. Not someday. Now.

Because of Easter, we are called not just to believe in the resurrection, but to live it. To let the Spirit move through us so that the world might see, hear, and feel the good news. When each of us brings our unique gifts to the table, the alleluias don’t just wait for Easter morning—they to rise every day..

Prayer

God of many gifts,

Thank you for the unique ways you’ve shaped each of us.

In this season of reflection, remind us that your Spirit is alive in us,

calling us to serve, to love, to act for the common good.

May our lives be a living alleluia,

as we move from ashes toward resurrection hope.

Use our gifts to bring light to the world,

so that your good news might be made known through us.

Amen.