I offer you here a meditation with Romans 12:3-9, as we continue looking at the apostle Paul through a contemplative lens.

Paul opens Romans 12 with the invitation to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, and in these verses (Romans 12:3-9) unpacks what that invitation means — to identify your gifts and then to use them! And to use them generously, lovingly, both with humility and confidence, understanding that the diversity of gifts each brings is necessary for the collective whole.

In the metaphor of the human body, with all members playing different and vital roles, I’m subtly reminded not to be frustrated by people whose gifts, perspectives or inclinations are different than mine. When I learned about highly sensitive people (of which I am one!) I was hugely relieved to understand so simply – some of us are highly sensitive, and some of us are not. I needn’t be in despair either about my sensitivity or the insensitivity of others! Similarly, I’ve found an understanding of the enneagram profoundly helpful in coming to accept others who have different inclinations than myself.

“For just as each of us has one physical body with many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

In this moment of such bitter division in the US especially, may our hearts thaw as we find acceptance and gratitude for the variety of expressions, perspectives and gifts each person brings, and may we have the grace to confidently and lovingly offer our own gifts to the collective whole.

GRACE AND PEACE

And much love as always, dear friends.Lissy

Contemplative at Home offers guided meditative prayer – space to slow down and listen to the truth that is being born out of God’s love for you today – drawing on Ignatian spirituality and at times, Lectio Divina.