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Mission Link – June 2009
Needs Liberating Gifts
A number of years ago, a couple I know gave birth to their first born son, Derian. Soon they found out that he was born with a heart defect. Over the next two and half years Derian faced 11 surgeries and spent a lot of time in the hospital. His parents constantly felt torn between wanting to be with him and needing to work to pay their bills. Through the help of friends and family they were able to pay their bills. Eventually, Derian died. Rather than close off that chapter of their life, the couple became inspired, in faith, to assist other families with injured or chronically ill children by forming an organization called the Spare Key Foundation to provide grants of a mortgage payment so that the parents can be present to their sick child and relieve some of the stress. Today the Spare Key Foundation helps over 100 families a year. It’s amazing to think how the suffering, in faith, of one family released many gifts to respond to the needs of so many other families.
In the realm of faith there is a unique relationship between needs and gifts. When we face moments of suffering or become witnesses to another’s suffering, we are forced to go to places we would probably never choose. And yet, it is this need or cry for help that can liberate the gifts to respond to the need. There are numerous examples in the gospels of people being healed by Jesus when they have faith. Sometimes a person seeks their own healing. Other times a person seeks healing for someone else. Either way, it is the act of entrusting one’s need to God that releases healing power that transforms a situation of desperation into a moment of new life and purpose. God does hear our prayer for healing and can bring life out of death.
One of the prayer forms we use a lot at Mass and other gatherings is that of intercession. We call them prayers of the “faithful”. We pray for God’s help to respond to the needs of ourselves, our church, our nation and our world. God responds is by calling forth the gift that is needed. In prayer, God reveals the needs and gifts. What we may not always realize is that sometimes the needs of the world are call for our gifts. What if the gift that is needed is mine? Is there suffering happening somewhere that I can offer healing to? How is the Lord liberating my gifts? Our faith promises that there are more than enough gifts available to heal the world.
And so, as we hear prayers for the sick and injured among us, how is the Spirit calling us to respond? And when we pray for peace and justice among families and nations, what might the Spirit be asking from me? And when the Church prays for an increase of vocations, how is the Holy Spirit calling forth leaders among us?
It is right and good for us to pray for what we need. When we are willing to offer ourselves with our prayer, God is able to bring forth the gifts most needed in our time. St. Therese of Liseaux, the patroness of missionaries, dedicated her life to prayer in faith and love as the path to transforming the world. She said, “My whole strength lies on prayer and sacrifice; these are my invincible arms. They can move hearts far better than words. I know it by experience.” The needs of the world are liberating the gifts of the Spirit present in the Church. . What needs are calling out to our gifts today?