Complete Homily Series on Charisms 2023

From Saint Albert the Great's web-page on the Charisms Homily Series:

This weekend we are celebrating Pentecost and beginning a new message series on charisms. Charisms, spiritual gifts, are special abilities, a special empowerment, given to a Christian by the Holy Spirit to enable them to be powerful channels of God’s love and redeeming presence in the World. Whether extraordinary or ordinary, charisms are to be used in charity or service to build up the Church (CCC paragraph 2003). A charism is always deeply connected with our faith and is an expression of our relationship with God. In this way it differs from a natural or learned ability. A charism, exercised correctly, draws other people to God. For instance, we can take art courses and learn to paint a picture. The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, however, draws people to God. A charism must be exercised in the context of the Christian’s overall discipleship in submission to Jesus Christ and His Church. 25 commonly recognized charisms are: Administration, Celibacy, Craftsmanship, Discernment of Spirits, Encouragement, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, Healing, Helps, Hospitality, Intercessory Prayer, Knowledge, Leadership, Mercy, Missionary, Music, Pastoring, Prophecy, Service, Teaching, Voluntary Poverty, Wisdom, Writing, Public Tongues and the Interpretation of tongues.

It is important to remember that no charism is better than the others. There can be a temptation to want the charism that someone else has and not focus on the charisms God had blessed us with. St. Paul tells us in the Second Reading this weekend that, "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit." The Holy Spirit wants to move through all of us but moves in different ways. Each of us have been given certain spiritual gifts but they come from the same Holy Spirit. St. Paul makes clear that these gifts are intended for service to our Lord Jesus Christ. When we move in our charisms correctly then people are drawn to God and ALL of the Church benefits.

There is a retreat that I love to staff as a spiritual director because of how each of the team members move in their charisms and respect the charisms of the others. There is no jealousy but a mutual respect and acknowledgement of what every team member's charisms are. It is such a powerful retreat because of how each team member goes to the charisms of the others when needed and goes to their own charisms when appropriate. My prayer is that everyday we at St. Albert the Great will move more in our charisms and respect the charisms of others. 

Come Holy Spirit,

Fr. Charlie

Pentecost Sunday

Readings: Acts 2:1-11; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; Jn 20:19-23

Podcast (Fr. Charlie): https://saintalbert.podbean.com/e/fr-charlie-garza-500-pm-mass-homily-english-1685388506/

Trinity Sunday

Readings: Ex 34:4b-6, 8-9; 2 Cor 13:11-13; Jn 3:16-18

Podcast (Fr. Charlie): https://saintalbert.podbean.com/e/fr-charlie-garza-1000-am-mass-homily-english-1686003948/

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: Ex 19:2-6a; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 9:36—10:8

Podcast (Fr. Charlie): https://saintalbert.podbean.com/e/fr-charlie-garza-1000-am-mass-homily-english-1687207752/

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: Jer 20:10-13; Rom 5:12-15; Mt 10:26-33

Blog: https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2023/06/homily-for-twelfth-sunday-in-ordinary.html

Podcast: https://saintalbert.podbean.com/e/deacon-phuc-phan-1000-am-mass-homily-english-1687797467/