May 14, 2024 Reflection – The Gifts of the Holy Spirit!
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit May 14, 2024 St. Matthias Dear Family of Mary! Today we will pray with a message given to us on May 25, 2000. Our Lady spoke plainly on that day. She made it very clear that we must seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is not optional for those of us who wish to serve Our Lady! She needs us to be firmly connected to the Lord, by His Spirit which is so freely offered to us! May 25, 2000 “Dear children! I rejoice with you and in this time of grace I call you to spiritual renewal. Pray, little children, that the Holy Spirit may come to dwell in you in fullness, so that you may be able to witness in joy to all those who are far from faith. Especially, little children, pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that in the spirit of love, every day and in each situation, you may be closer to your fellow-man; and that in wisdom and love you may overcome every difficulty. I am with you and I intercede for each of you before Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call.” Our Lady needs us. But it is essential that we are filled with the Holy Spirit so that we will be able to respond to her call! She needs us to be operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Pray through this list of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church) and ask the Lord to pour them out upon you this Pentecost!! III. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit 1830 The moral life of Christians is sustained by the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are permanent dispositions which make man docile in following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. “1831 The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are : wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.” And here is a short definition of each (from Catholic Answers): “Wisdom is both the knowledge of and judgment about “divine things” and the ability to judge and direct human affairs according to divine truth. Understanding is penetrating insight into the very heart of things, especially those higher truths that are necessary for our eternal salvation—in effect, the ability to “see” God. Counsel allows a man to be directed by God in matters necessary for his salvation. Fortitude denotes a firmness of mind in doing good and in avoiding evil, particularly when it is difficult or dangerous to do so, and the confidence to overcome all obstacles, even deadly ones, by virtue of the assurance of everlasting life. Knowledge is the ability to judge correctly about matters of faith and right action, so as to never wander from the straight path of justice. Piety is, principally, revering God with filial affection, paying worship and duty to God, paying due duty to all men on account of their relationship to God, and honoring the saints and not contradicting Scripture. The Latin word pietas denotes the reverence that we give to our father and to our country; since God is the Father of all, the worship of God is also called piety. Fear of God is, in this context, “filial” or chaste fear whereby we revere God and avoid separating ourselves from him—as opposed to “servile” fear, whereby we fear punishment.” Come Holy Spirit!! Come and fill the hearts of thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your Love!! In Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cathy Nolan (c) Mary TV 2024