See CCC §1830; Isaiah 11: 2-3.
Victor R. Claveau, MJ
The gifts of the Holy Spirit belong in their fullness to Christ, the Son of David. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.
Fear of the Lord, Piety, Knowledge, Fortitude, Counsel, Understanding, Wisdom.
Recall the first coming of the Holy Spirit in the form offiery tongues upon the apostles and disciples. For nine days they hadbeen waiting and praying for this Spirit of truth and love, promised by Christ. They were fearful, uncertain, doubtful and weak. But, what a change came over them. With the Holy Spirit in their hearts, they become strong and courageous, certain and zealous. They go forth from that upper room, guided by the Divine Dove, the Holy Spirit really taught the apostles all things.
To understand more clearly and fully what the Holy Spirit did on that first Pentecost, and what He does for us during the Sacrament of Confirmation, we want to consider His gifts and workings. Ages before the coming of Christ this work was foretold. After the Assyrians had attacked and almost annihilated Israel, God had mercy on His chosen people, and promised them assistance in the words of the prophet Isaiah, 11:1-3: “And there shall come forth a shoot of the stock of Jesse and a flower shall rise up out of his root. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge and godliness. And He shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord.” There we have the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. What do they mean?
1. Wisdom is that gift by which we raise our minds above the fleeting things of earth and think of things eternal. It lights up the, mind, helping the intellect to look at revealed truth in the sublime sunshine of heaven. It helps us taste God, as it were and love God.
2. Understanding is that gift which throws a searching light upon the meaning of revealed truth. It helps us comprehend and know, as far as men can, the truths of faith and the divine mysteries. It tells us exactly what this or that revealed truth really means.
3. Counsel is that gift which makes clear to us, amid the uncertainties of life, what makes for the glory of God, our own salvation, and the salvation of our neighbor. Counsel helps our practical minds to see what should be done in individual cases, and what are the best means to do it. Counsel points the path when the path is none too certain.
4. Fortitude is the gift, which helps us, with valor and courage, to observe faithfully the laws of God and His Church. It helps us overcome the dangers and difficulties on our Christian pathway to God.
5. Knowledge is the gift by which we judge correctly of created things, or creatures, and are taught to use them’ correctly, and direct them to God, their final end. It shows us that the truths of faith are believable and acceptable, even from the standpoint of reason. Note the distinct difference between Christian and non-Christian knowledge. The former helps us put all things in their proper place and relation to their Maker. Mere knowledge, godless knowledge, is merely a piling up of facts and information, without any order or purpose. With this Christian knowledge Saint Francis of Assisi was inspired to write his immortal Canticle of the Sun, or Praise of all Creatures.
6. Piety is the gift by which we honor God as our Father. Piety is from an old Latin word which means devotion to one’s parents. Christian piety is devotion to our heavenly Parent. It helps us take pleasure in prayer, spiritual reading and good works, because they please our Father. It helps us have at heart everything that will honor God.
7. Fear of the Lord is that gift which helps us revere and respect God and dread to offend His Divine Majesty. It is not a slavish, cringing feeling. It is the fear of loving children of a loving Father, who dread to offend Him because He is so good. It diverts us from evil and directs us to good.
How desperately we need these gifts every day. Without them we are sailors tossed about in a storm, not knowing the direction, or, knowing it, not being able to follow it.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are without question great gifts essential for our sanctification and salvation. Each baptized and confirmed Christian should implore the Holy Spirit to inflame in his soul these gifts. Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II said, “With gifts and qualities such as these, we are equal to any task and capable of overcoming any difficulties.”
May the Holy Spirit pour His powerful gifts into the heart of every- one this Pentecost. May the Holy Spirit guide each one of you. May He guide our leaders and statesmen, our professional people, our parents, our teachers, our students. May the Divine Dove show us the way and help us to follow it. May the Spirit of God abide with us forever.