Managing God's gift of Talent

Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
Romans 12:1-8
"Managing God's Gift of Talents"

I don't know about you, but there are only a few television programs that I care to follow - which is probably a good thing, since I don't actually have a TV at home! One of these shows that I do watch started just last season on the NBC network. It's called "Heroes." In case you're not already familiar with this program, the basic premise is that ordinary people, like you and me, are starting to discover that they possess extraordinary abilities - fantastic talents, some of which are literally above and beyond what normal people can do. Some of these "heroes" can fly, bend space and stop time, heal others' injuries and illnesses, or cast illusions that seem to be reality. Stories about super-powered people aren't really a new thing, though, even on television. What sets this show apart from the others is its focus on the characters: the people who have these talents and abilities must learn how to put them to use. They can't go back to being who they once were. What's more, these individuals do not exist in a vacuum. As the story of "Heroes" has progressed, the viewer has learned more and more about the connections between the characters. Some are related by blood, others by circumstances and histories that go back generations.

In our text today from his letter to the Christians in Rome, St. Paul addresses some of these same themes - 2,000 years before the advent of "Heroes." We, too, are connected. We are part of something that is greater than ourselves. Paul likens this to being parts of a body. As in our own bodies, there are many parts, and some of them are more glamorous than others. Parts like the ankle don't really seem to compare to the versatility and functionality of the mighty hand. With your hand, you can produce works of art and culinary skill. You can stitch quilts. You can use the remote to change the channel to "Heroes" on the TV! But the ankle plays an important role, too, one which can affect the rest of the body. Should you sprain your ankle or have surgery on your knee, you'll be out of commission for days or weeks to come, forced to keep your weight off those unglamorous joints until they have healed. Even the mighty hand can't do much if the rest of the body is largely restricted to the family room couch.

You are parts of a body - you have been connected, made part of the body of Christ on earth. This past weekend, I traveled to Indiana, where I had the joy and privilege of baptizing my cousin's infant daughter and my aunt, the baby's grandmother. In the water of baptism, these two members of my family joined our family in Christ. They have been connected to us and connected to Jesus through this free gift of God.

Take a look at our reading from Romans, especially those first few verses, and read what Paul writes: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Paul exhorts us with these same words. We are to be transformed! Sure, you've got talents and abilities, but how does that make you any different than people who are not Christians? Many people have exceptional talents in the world around us. Some of those who are gifted in the musical arts have performed at the Kennedy Center. Others make their way in the world as professional athletes. There are surgeons and chemists who possess great ability in the medical and scientific arts. People who do not have the connection to Christ may still have talent, but they have not been transformed. We are to be transformed. What Jesus accomplished on the cross was not simply an historical event to which we intellectually subscribe, going on to live our lives and to use our talents in whichever way we see fit. No, it is something much more than that: it reaches out, takes hold of us, and changes us! The cross transforms us, and, as Christians, this is an ongoing event. Our talents and abilities have been redeemed altogether with us.

This is the second weekend of our focus on Christian stewardship, the caring for and making use of that which has been entrusted to us. Last week, Pastor Meehan called us to recognize God's gift of time. Next week, we'll ponder God's gift of treasure, the financial and material blessings which we manage. But this week, we consider the talents and abilities that God has given into our care. We are connected, parts of a body. Some of us might be a "hand," reaching out and building or healing or playing instruments. But others of us, maybe we're an ankle! While not as glamorous in our talents and abilities, in what we can do, but we play a vital role in the work of the body of Christ on earth. We are all being transformed.

In preparation for next Sunday, we mailed out "covenant cards" to our member households. One of the two cards, the blue "Time and Talent Covenant," is something new to us this year. You'll see that you can list two or three talents and abilities that you'll commit to using as a member of the body of Christ in the year ahead. You could do this here at St. John's, but you can also consider how you might use what God has given you in exercising your talents in the community at large. Since you have been connected to the Lord, you can put your skills to use in new ways, to share the Good News with all those who will be affected by your service. This is what Paul tells us in our Romans text. Prior to this point in this message to Christians that he'd not yet met, Paul proclaimed, in striking language, the redemption that God gives to all who believe in the Gospel message. And now, having been redeemed, having been connected to Christ, we are being transformed for loving service - as are our talents! Regardless of the part that we play in this body, whether seemingly hand, ankle, or big toe, all of the parts are significant, and they all need to work together to do the work of the body. On this covenant card, consider the ways in which you could (or, perhaps, even already do!) put your talents and abilities to work in the service of the Kingdom. Not just at the church, but in the rest of your world, too. Write down the number of hours per week or per month that you will dedicate towards being a steward of what you've been given.

But why do we put these talents and abilities to use? We do so in the praise and thanksgiving of the truest hero that the world has ever known: the one who came and took our place on the cross and died for us, breaking the power of the great enemy freeing us from the selfish hoarding of our talents, transforming us into beacons of light. Jesus calls us to be the city on the hill, sharing his light with all those who live in darkness. We put our talents and abilities to use so that the body of Christ may work as one in God's mission to the world.

We are transformed.

Amen.