Hidden Talents by Greg McGrory

A while ago on Iview, I watched Piano, a series showing ordinary folk playing a piano in public view be it at a train station or a shopping centre. The programme showed remarkable hidden talent and told amazing individual stories. From memory there was one who had suffered a stroke but taught himself to play one handed. Another was blind, one was deaf and one lady in her 80’s composed a piece and played in memory of her husband.  

As I watched each episode my thought was one of amazement at the hidden talent in our society, not just musicians but talents that cover the spectrum of individual endeavour. Imagine all the talent hidden in the lives of those we walk pass in the shopping centre. What of you? What are you good at but keep to yourself either through lack of opportunity to share or self-deprecation.  

Amazing life stories, amazing talent in our Gold Coast community. What then of our congregational community? I suggest there are many stories, much talent hidden and unheard stories in the congregation of which you are part. There is also your story, your talent. Imagine the impact inside and outside our three parishes if that which is hidden became known and that which has been unheard was heard. The God-Stories, the God-Gifts which are woven into the fabric of your life. Much can be shared, much learnt for the building up of each other and for the expansion of the Good News of Christ Jesus.  

The early followers of Jesus shared stories of their direct encounter with Jesus and successive generations took them up and added their own encounters within the Faith and shared their story and talent. Together we are no different as we seek to live our lives in the Faith. Life consists of moments of great joys and sorrows and the plateaus in-between them.  

In my 50th year as a priest in our Diocese I have seen many attempts at different styles and visions for congregations to exist and improve ebb and flow. In the early 80’s the in thing was for congregations to take part in “Find your gifts” workshops comprising of questionnaires, discussions, spiritual and biblical explorations. The aim to make individuals and congregation’s aware of what they had and what could be shared for the building up of Church in community. Maybe there is a way forward for our trinity of parishes to investigate how to bring the theme of this blog to life. Your story, your talent, no matter how mundane you think them are there and through which God is glorified.  

Fr. Gregory McGrory (Retired Palm Beach South)