The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

"This is good and pleasing to God . . . who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth." ~ 1 Timothy 2:3-4

As Catholics, we strive to grow in our understanding of and our role in our faith. This ongoing quest is supported by works like Faith Reflections and other resources to be part of the way we continually develop our faith, and keep our mind and spirit in sync.

Yet we do discover on this path that there are significant, foundational aspects of our spiritual lives that come to us not out of our own seeking, but by the grace of God. Gifts of wisdom, understanding, judgement, knowledge, courage, reverence, and wonder are freely given to us. Through them, the Holy Spirit leads us to an instinctual way of actively living our faith.

Each of these gifts is meant to cultivate in us a readiness to receive God’s guidance and strength for our lives. Our receptiveness to the gifts from the Holy Spirit is declared at Baptism and then again at Confirmation. The gifts’ presence in us is like a spiritual awareness making us more awake to the grace of the Holy Spirit.

The prophet Isaiah gives us the basis of our understanding of what is known as these seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1-2).

The following are brief profiles of the gifts the Holy Spirit bestows on each of us.

• Wisdom gives us a great capacity and desire to reflect on God and our life in Him even as we continue to constantly learn more about ourselves and what it means to live as a child of God. 

• Understanding helps us grasp the truths of faith in time, and to accept them even when we don’t fully comprehend them. This strengthens our insights through prayer and the sacraments. 

• Right judgement cultivates our knowing right from wrong. We acknowledge how important this is through self-examination that continues throughout our life. 

• Courage is our fortitude, helping us to overcome our fears through hope and knowing we are never alone. 

• Knowledge is that tremendous strength we cultivate from knowing God and choosing goodness—making decisions in the light of faith. 

• Reverence is our deep respect for God that the Holy Spirit inspires in us. This enables us to humbly give ourselves, our burdens, and our joys over to God. 

• Through wonder and awe, we know God’s perfection to enough of a degree that we embrace a healthy “fear of the Lord.” Not a fear of being punished, but a fear of offending. Out of wonder and awe, we also tap into God’s hope and healing power. 

source: Faith Reflection, National Shrine of St. Jude

Fit for the Kingdom of God

Are you ready to follow the Lord Jesus wherever he may lead you? With the call the Lord gives the grace to respond and the strength to follow all the way to the end. Why does Jesus issue a challenge with the call? Jesus was utterly honest in telling people what it would cost to follow him. When a would-be disciple approached Jesus and said he was ready to follow, Jesus told him it would require sacrifice - the sacrifice of certain creaturely comforts. Jesus appealed to this man's heart and told him to detach himself from whatever might hold him back. Spiritual detachment is a necessary step for following the Lord. It frees us to give ourselves without reserve to the Lord and his service. While many of us may not need to give up the comfort of our own home and bed to follow Jesus, we, nonetheless, must be willing to part with anything that might stand in the way of doing God's will.

Don't let anything hold you back from following the Lord Jesus

Another would-be disciple said he would follow as soon as he had buried his father. What he meant by this expression was that he felt the need to return to his home to take care of his father through old age until he died. The third had no obligation to return home, but simply wanted to go back and say good-bye. Jesus surprised these would-be disciples with the stark truth that nothing should hinder us from following the Lord. Was Jesus being harsh and rude to his would-be followers? Not really. We are free to decide whether we will take the path which Jesus offers. But if we choose to go, then the Lord wants us to count the cost and choose for it freely.

Don't miss the good path God has set for you - it will lead to joy and freedom

What does the story of a plowman have to do with the journey? A plowman who looked back while plowing his field caused the line or furrow he cut into the soil to become crooked. One crooked line easily leads to another until the whole field is a mess. The plowman had to look straight ahead in order to keep the plow from going off course. Likewise, if we look back on what we have freely left behind to follow the Lord - whether that be some distraction, attachment, or sinful habit which leads us away from doing God's will - our path will likely diverge and we'll miss what God has for us.

Will you say "yes" to the Lord's call for your life ? 

The Gospel does not record the response from these three would-be disciples. We are only left with the question which Jesus intends for us as well. Are you ready to take the path which the Lord Jesus offers? His grace is sufficient and his love is strong. There is nothing greater we can do with our lives than to place them at the service of the Lord and Master of the universe. We cannot outmatch God in his generosity. Jesus promises that those who are willing to part with what is most dear to them for his sake "will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19:29). The Lord Jesus offers us a kingdom of lasting peace, unending joy, surpassing love, enduring friendship, and abundant life. Is there anything holding you back from pursuing the Lord and his will for you life?

Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess you have given me. I surrender it all to you to be disposed of according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace - with these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more. (Prayer of Ignatius Loyola, 1491-1556)

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

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