Paul reminds the Corinthians that it is not enough to receive the gift of faith: they must also "retain it as I preached it to you". If we truly appreciate some gift that we have received, we will retain it and treasure it. We will also try to protect it so that it remains in the same pristine state in which we received it.

What is true of worldly gifts is even more true of spiritual gifts. Worldly gifts generally do not transform our lives in any way, though of course we can think of examples where transformation follows upon the receipt of a gift. On the other hand, the spiritual gifts which we receive from God always transform our lives and touch the depths of our souls.

When we celebrate any feast of the Apostles, it is a good opportunity to reflect on the fundamental gift of faith, which has come down to us through their evangelization ministry. It is so easy in the modern world to lose the gift of faith. With God's grace, reflection will enable us to "retain" that gift, as Paul commands, and to do so more firmly and joyfully,