FINDING OUR GIFTS AND

TALENTS TO SERVE GOD AND

HIS CHURCH
 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a
part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all
apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles,
then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different
kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all
teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of
healing? Do all speak in tongues[a]? Do all interpret? 31
Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
 Points to ponder

What is the difference

between a gift and a
talent?
 Talents Vs. Gifts
• What are talents? We have all been given certain natural
abilities that come from our parents,grandparents, etc.
• These may have to do with our physical abilities:
athleticism, strength, flexibility, agility, or coordination; or
intellectual abilities, used for reasoning, academics or
language skills;
• there are emotional abilities, including social skills, the
ability to listen and communicate, compassion and
empathy, being a good friend; included in the above are
artistic abilities, in music, writing, painting, etc. A talent
 Talents Vs. Gifts

A talent can be possessed by

anyone, it can be developed and
learned and can be used for
spiritual and non-spiritual
purposes.
 Talents Vs. Gifts
• Our gifts are spiritual in nature and come from God,
through the Holy Spirit and are given to us freely at
Baptism and Confirmation for His service.
• Spiritual gifts are listed by Paul in the book of Romans
12:6-8 as:
• prophesy, ministry, teaching, encouraging, contributing,
leadership and mercy;
 Talents vs. Gifts
• further listed in 1 Corinthians 12 to include:
• wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophesy,
discernment, speaking in tongues, interpretation of
tongues, assistance and administration.
• All the gifts and talents we have been given are to be
used to build up the Kingdom of God. Acknowledging
what our God given gifts and talents are is a big step in
discerning what God wants us to do with our lives.
 Priests and deacons
• They have a special role as ordained ministers in serving God and
the Church.
• You see them serve God’s family at the table of the Lord by
celebrating the Eucharist at mass and celebrating the sacraments
with us in their own capacity.
• The priest brings comfort to those who are sick, in the Sacrament
of the Anointing and is an instrument of God’s forgiveness during
the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He alone can bring Jesus, really
and truly, to us in the Eucharist.
• Consider the spiritual gifts sent by God to priests and deacons
that they use every day in serving God and His Church.
 Religious sister or brother
• Vowed religious have a special role in leading us in prayer
and teaching us to serve. In your parish, school or
community you may see them serving as teachers,
administrators, campus ministers, social workers, nurses,
and using their gifts and talents in many other ways that
serve God’s family.
• They live in a religious community with others who share
their same values and have a common mission in building
up God’s Kingdom here on earth.
 Married people
Dedicate a life of service to
God and one another and
lovingly bring children into the
world.