Sunday, June 04, 2006

The Seven Gifts

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. (Acts 2: 1-4)

Today, June 4, 2006, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Pentecost. This, in essence, is the birth of the Church. It's when Christ sent down His Holy Spirit to renew the face of the Earth.

Unfortunately the Holy Spirit can sometimes be the Forgotten Person of the Trinity...at least for me. However, many times in my life, I have been very strongly filled by the Holy Spirit. It's quite a feeling to have Him rush through you. It takes your breath away.

In my life, I have been taught that the Holy Spirit gives us 7 Gifts which help us daily with our faith:

1. Wisdom
2. Knowledge
3. Understanding
4. Fortitude
5. Piety
6. Counsel
7. Fear of the Lord

In prayer, as Christians, we can ask the Holy Spirit to come down and give us these gifts...however, be prepared!

For with every gift we grow closer to God. And as we grow closer to Him, the more we realize just how truly distant we are from Him.

In preparation for Confession, I have asked the Holy Spirit to reveal my sins to me. (That's a tough one) and He reveals them to me in spades.

While praying, I ask Him, "What is keeping me from You?" And the answers come to me. And sometimes (most of the time?) they are answers I quite frankly don't want to hear.

All in all, the Holy Spirit has blessed me with the above gifts.

And I am forever thankful.

Come Holy Spirit
Fill the Hearts
Of Your Faithful and

Enkindle in Them
The Fire of Your Love.