It s not that one person gives and the other receives. Instead both are blessed when that mysterious connection happens. We can t make it happen, but we can do much to prepare for it. That s the inward journey at work. Much depends on how we come and how we enter worship with our prayers, our singing, and our souls.
Gifts emerge in community, in the moment.
Over time, our sharing of these gifts builds a community of grace. Gifts have a shadow side too. Sometimes we assume that what has been a gift in one setting will be a gift in another. Envy or well-intentioned idealization can also block the flow of gifts. In the interchange between Peter and Jesus in the Gospel lesson, well-intentioned care by Peter gets nailed by Jesus.