Mary Grace Mangano '15 M.S.M.,'17 M.Ed.

When I was in the ACE Teaching Fellows program, I taught middle school religion, which involved preparing the eighth-grade students for confirmation. I explained to the students that they would receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I also pointed out that there are fruits of the Holy Spirit, which are evidence that these gifts from the Spirit have been put into action.

Most of us have received physical gifts that we’ve stuck in the back of a closet and have never used. The same can be true of the Holy Spirit’s gifts. In the second school where I taught, at the top of the stairs, there was a sign on the wall in the hallway that listed the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It became a daily check-in I did with myself. Tired, thinking about my to-do list, this sign would make me pause. Am I joyful? Peaceful? Patient? Will I greet my students with kindness? Generosity?

The imagery in today’s readings is striking: a strong driving wind, tongues of fire, many parts but one body, as Paul famously says to the Corinthians. What stood out to me this time was the collective emphasis on what is given to each individual—tongues of fire rested on each of them.

In today’s second reading, we hear, “To each individual, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” Then, in our gospel, Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” The Father sends the Son into the world for a purpose, and Jesus then does this with his disciples. He does it with us: sending us out for a unique purpose.

How will we know if we are living out our individual callings, responding to the gifts given
to us by the Holy Spirit? Our lives will bear fruit, and we will act with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If we go forth this way, we will truly renew the face of the earth.