May 30, 2020 | Spiritual Gifts
“The righteous shall live by faith.” Hab 2:4.
“Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1.
Jesus said, “Take faith daughter; your faith has made you well.” Mt 9:22.
Parable of the Talents, “Well done good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.” Mt 25:21-23.
Jesus said to the young woman, “Your faith has saved you: go in peace.” Lk 7:50.
“Faith by itself, without works is dead.” James 2:17.
“I will show you my faith with my works.” James 2:28.
“We work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.” 2 Cor 1:24.
“Though the assent of faith is by no means a blind impulse of the mind, still no one can assent to the Gospel message as is necessary, without the illumination and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, who gives to all joy in assenting to the truth and believing it.” Vatican I, Revelation.
“Faith dies when it is reduced to custom, to habit, to a purely emotional experience. It needs to be cultivated, helped to grow, at both the personal and the community level.” John Paul II, April 1998.
“To mature in faith, we have to grow in knowledge of its truths.” Pope John Paul II, June 1998.
“By faith, we completely submit our intellect and will to God. With our whole being we give assent to God the revealer. Sacred Scripture call this human response to God, the author of revelation, the obedience of faith,” CCC 143.
“The submission of our faith might nevertheless be in accordance with reason, God willed the external proofs of Revelation should be joined to the internal helps of the Holy Spirit.” CCC 156
“It is intrinsic to faith that a believer desires to know better the One in whom he has put his faith and to understand better what He has revealed, a more penetrating knowledge will in turn call forth a greater faith, increasingly set afire by love.” CCC 158
“It is the Church that believes first, and so bears, nourishes, and sustains my faith.” CCC168
“We guard with care the faith that we have received from the Church, for without ceasing, under the action of God’s Spirit this deposit of great price, as if in an excellent vessel, is constantly being renewed and causes the very vessel that contains it to be renewed.” CCC 175
“Faith by its specific nature is an encounter with the living God—an encounter opening up new horizons extending beyond the sphere of reason. But it is also a purifying force for reason itself. From God’s standpoint, faith liberates reason from its blind spots and therefore helps it to be ever more fully itself. Faith enables reason to do its work more effectively.” Pope Benedict XVI, God is Love.
Faith
Faith is believing in what is not seen or perceived with the senses. Faith uses reason but is not limited to reason. It is a spiritual gift growing out of one’s experience and knowledge of the Catholic faith and its teachings. Faith grows as a person comprehends the truths that come through Scripture and the tradition of the Catholic Church. Faith is a process of updating one’s knowledge and education in the person of Jesus and in the beliefs and doctrines that the Church teaches and affirms.
Questions to share
- Which passage touches you or burns in your heart the most? Why?
- How have you exercised this gift in the past?
- How are you now exercising this gift in ministry?
- Do you see new ways you can exercise this ministry in the future?
May 30, 2020 | Spiritual Gifts
“Be strong and of good courage; for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you or forsake you.” Dt 31:6.
“Everyone helps his neighbor, and says to his brother, ‘Take courage!’” Is 41:6.
The disciples in the early Church, “strengthened the souls of others, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14: 22.
“ Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them; he who encourages in his encouragement.” Rom 12:6-8.
“The God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. For as Christ’s sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow. If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement, which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, you also share in the encouragement.” 2 Cor 1:3-7
“Finally, brethren, we beseech and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, you do so more and more,” 1 Thes 4:1.
“Encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thes 5:11.
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching,” 2 Tim. 4:1.
With these words the Holy Father invited all the witnesses to charity and the world of volunteers to participate at the Mass in St. Peter’s Square noting that, ” It will be an important occasion to express the Church’s encouragement to those who devote themselves to their brothers and sisters in need and who are working to build a future of genuine peace in a society of greater brotherhood and solidarity.” Pope John Paul II, 25 APRIL, 1999.
“Today it is often the laity who must be in the forefront in seeking to apply the Church’s teaching to the ethical, moral and social questions which arise in their communities or at the national level. The specific mission of lay men and women is the evangelization of the family, of culture, and of social and political life. In this, they look to the Bishops for encouragement and leadership.”
Pope John Paul II to Irish Bishops,1999.
“Offering encouragement is a concrete way of helping someone be faithful to a vocation. The laity and the ordained need to pray for one another and offer mutual support. Furthermore, the Church’s pastoral ministry can be more effective if we become true collaborators, mindful of our weaknesses, but grateful for our gifts. Collaboration challenges us to understand that we are, in reality, joined in Christ’s body, that we are not separate but interdependent.” USCCB Called and Gifted the Third Millennium.
“I encourage you to continue bearing joyful witness to Christ our Hope, our Risen Lord and Savior, who makes all things new and gives us life in abundance.” Pope Benedict XVI on leaving the United States, April 20, 2008.
“Do not be afraid to say ‘yes’ to Jesus, to find your joy in doing his will, giving yourself completely to the pursuit of holiness,” Pope Benedict XVI, July 20, 2008.
Encouragement
Encouragement is a spiritual gift in which a person urges, convinces and empowers others to be Jesus in their thoughts, actions and words. It involves witnessing to the goodness and correctness in others, supporting their decisions and ministries. Encouragement grows out of one’s close relationship with God and the mind of Jesus. Encouragement is based on a strong spiritual life and way of thinking. It involves a prayer life and a wisdom helping others to do the right thing, the Jesus thing.
Questions to share
- Which passage touches you or burns in your heart the most? Why?
- How have you exercised this gift in the past?
- How are you now exercising this gift in ministry?
- Do you see new ways you can exercise this ministry in the future?
May 30, 2020 | Spiritual Gifts
“ I set before you life and death. Choose life.” Dt 30:19.
“Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil.” 1 Kg 3:9.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ”
Heb 4:12.
“It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”
Phil 1:9-11.
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God.” 1John 4:1.
“The people of God believes that it is led by the Spirit of the Lord who fills the whole world. Moved by that faith it tries to discern in the events, the needs and the longings which it shares with others of our time, what may be the genuine signs of the presence and purpose of God”
Vatican II The Church in the Modern World, 11.
“Discernment is essential; it falls upon those who are in charge of the Church, those to whose special competence it belongs, not to extinguish the Spirit, but to test all things and hold fast to that which is good. In this way the common good of the Church, to which the gifts of the Spirit are ordained, is fostered.” Pope Paul VI, 1973.
“Discernment has 3 principles. The first, is “faithfulness to the authentic doctrine of the faith.” Second, “All spiritual gifts are to be received gratefully; and third, “only agape love makes the perfect Christian, pleasing to God.” Pope Paul VI, May 1975, Repeated by Pope John Paul II in 1981.
“ Discernment is a process that requires prayer, dialogue and evaluation. It is both personal and communal, involving family and friends as well as colleagues and mentors, “
USCCB, Co-Workers in the Vineyard, 2005.
“A variety of experience may characterize the initial period of discernment, including increased sacramental and liturgical practices, retreats and days of prayer and reflection, and individual or group spiritual direction.” Ibid.
“Throughout the discernment process a person needs to ask: what talents, virtues and limitations do I process that indicate my ability to serve God’s people” Ibid.
“Neither discernment nor determination of suitability is a one time process. Prayerful discernment should be the habit of a lifetime for all committed Christians.” Ibid.
“Lay ecclesial ministries should help the faithful discern their gifts and charisms, affirm these gifts and nurture their call to generous service. “ Ibid.
Discernment is an art and it is learned by doing, not just reading about it. It is a function of an individual’s personal relationship with the Lord. When we desire to do God’s will, are willing to be open to God and have a solid knowledge of God, then discernment is possible. Therefore, prayer is an essential component to the process of discernment. To be a truly discerning person, we need to be humble, charitable and courageous. As we become more familiar with the Lord in prayer, we will come to know that the “small still voice” speaks in peace never in turmoil, anxiety or restlessness.
USCCB Vocations, Sept 13, 2005.
Discernment
Discernment is a spiritual process of choosing God and God’s will over all other options for oneself and others. It is a gift of seeing situations with Jesus’ eyes and making Jesus choices for oneself and others. Discernment arises out of a person’s personal relationship with God, a deep knowledge of God’s presence based on a healthy spiritual life and a consistent sacramental life. As a process it asks, “What would Jesus do?” When choices are made there is a greater love and peace for the person who is discerning and for those involved in the process.
Questions to share
- Which passage touches you or burns in your heart the most? Why?
- How have you exercised this gift in the past?
- How are you now exercising this gift in ministry?
- Do you see new ways you can exercise this ministry in the future?
May 30, 2020 | Spiritual Gifts
“ The Lord said, “I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship.” Ex 31:3.
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands,” Ps 90:17.
“It is like a man going on a journey when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work,” Mk 13:34.
”I must work the works of him who sent me.” John 9:4.
“And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.” Phil 1:6.
“To lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work.” Col 1:10.
“Comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” 2 Thes 2:17.
“Like the figure of the precious and life-giving cross, venerable and holy images of our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ, our inviolate Lady, the holy Mother of God, and the venerated angels, all the saints and the just, whether painted or made of mosaic or another suitable material, are to be exhibited in the holy churches of God, on sacred vessels and vestments, walls and panels, in houses and on streets,” Council of Nicea II.
“Art ranks among the highest manifestations of the genius and culture of all peoples; it also offers the Church the most worthy and the most important elements which the exterior celebration of the divine cult assumes.” Pope Pius XI, 1928.
“By work a person provides for self and family, associates with others and renders them service: each can exercise genuine charity and be a partner in the work of bringing divine creation to perfection.” Vatican II, Church in the Modern World.
“The arts are directed toward expressing in some way the infinite beauty of God in works made by human hands. The Church has been particularly careful to see that sacred furnishings should worthily and beautifully serve the dignity of worship. She has admitted changes in material style, or ornamentation prompted by the progress of technological arts with the passage of time.”
Vatican II, Sacred Liturgy, 122.
“The art of our own times from every race and country shall also be given free scope in the Church, provided it bring to the task the reverence and honor due to the sacred buildings and rites. It is enabled to join its voice to that wonderful chorus of praise in honor of the Catholic faith sung by great people in past ages.” Ibid, 123.
“Work honors the Creator’s gifts and the talents received from him. It can also be redemptive.”
CCC 2427.
“Art is meant to bring the divine to the human world, to the level of the senses, then, from the spiritual insight gained through the senses and the stirring of the emotions, to raise the human world to God, to his inexpressible kingdom of mystery, beauty, and life.” USCCB Living Stone, 2000.
“Quality art draws the beholder to the Creator, who stands behind the artist sharing his own creative power, for the “divine Artist passes on to the human artist a spark of his own surpassing wisdom.” This is true of music, architecture, sculpture, painting, pottery making, textiles, and furniture making, as well as other art forms that serve the liturgical environment.” Ibid, 147.
Craftsmanship
Craftsmanship, as a spiritual gift, is the making of sacred objects thah reflect the beauty of the Creator and creation. It serves others by using materials and images to remind them of the glory of God and the presence of God in all things. It is an art form using one’s talents and perceptions with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to bear fruit for the Lord and to draw others to Jesus and the Church by the work of one’s hands and heart.
Questions to share
- Which passage touches you or burns in your heart the most? Why?
- How have you exercised this gift in the past?
- How are you now exercising this gift in ministry?
- Do you see new ways you can exercise this ministry in the future?
May 30, 2020 | Spiritual Gifts
“Nor can we overlook the immense ranks of men and women in religious life, of laity and of young people too, united in the faithful observance of perfect chastity. They live in chastity, not out of disdain for the gift of life, but because of a greater love for that new life which springs from the Paschal mystery. They live this life of courageous self-denial and spiritual joyfulness with exemplary fidelity and also with relative facility,” Pope Paul VI, June 24, 1967.
“The Church’s holiness is fostered in a special way by those who devote themselves to God alone more easily with the undivided heart (1Cor 7:32-34) in virginity or celibacy. Their perfect continence for love of the kingdom of heaven has always been held in high esteem by the Church as a sign and a stimulus of love, and as a singular source of spiritual fertility in the world,” The Church in the Modern World, 42.
“Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to the affairs of the Lord, celibates give themselves entirely to the Lord and to others. Celibacy is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church’s minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart, celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God,” Decree on the Life and Ministry of Priests, 1965.
Celibates “should learn how, with suitable natural and supernatural safeguards to weave their renunciation of marriage into the pattern of their lives, so that not only will their daily conduct and activities suffer no harm from celibacy, but they themselves will acquire greater mastery of mind and body, will grow in maturity and receive greater measure of the blessedness promised by the Gospel.” Training of Priests, 10.
“The chastity of celibates and virgins is a unique reflection of that love “poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Rom 5:5). The Spirit, who gave the Virgin Mary a share in the divine fruitfulness, also ensures that those who have chosen virginity for the kingdom of heaven will have numerous descendants in the spiritual family formed of all those who “were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God”(John 1:13).” Pope John Paul II, May 27, 1988.
“A love for Christ, which overflows into a dedication to everyone, is of the greatest importance in developing affective maturity. Thus the candidate, who is called to celibacy, will find in affective maturity a firm support to live chastity in faithfulness and joy,” Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation, On the Formation of Priests, 1992.
“Throughout the Church’s history, consecrated life has been a living presence of the Spirit’s work, a kind of privileged milieu for absolute love of God and of neighbor, for witness to the divine plan of gathering all humanity into the civilization of love, the great family of the children of God”. The Church has always seen in the profession of the evangelical counsels a special path to holiness, — the school of the Lord’s service, the school of love and holiness, the way or state of perfection — indicate the effectiveness and the wealth of means which are proper to this form of evangelical life.”
Ninth Synod of Bishops, 1992.
“From the very beginning of the Church there have been men and women who have renounced the great good of marriage to follow the Lamb wherever he goes, to be intent on the things of the Lord, to seek to please him. “ CCC, 1618.
Charity is the form of all the virtues. Under its influence, chastity appears as a school of the gift of the person. Self-mastery is ordered to the gift of self. Chastity leads each person to become a witness to all of God’s fidelity and loving kindness.” CCC 2346.
“Celibacy is really a special way of conforming oneself to Christ’s own way of life. This choice has first and foremost a nuptial meaning; it is a profound identification with the heart of Christ the Bridegroom who gives his life for his Bride.” Pope Benedict XVI, The Eucharist, 24.
Celibacy and Virginity
Celibacy and virginity are choices and ways of life which conform a person to Jesus’ own life of love and service. As a spiritual gift, celibacy or virginity is a state of consecrated life in which a person embraces the single life as a path to holiness. The love of the Trinity motivates and activates this gift of chastity with a mastery of mind and body so that each person with this gift grows through the evangelical counsels in the love of God and the service of the Church. All who possess this gift dedicate their lives to serving the Lord in charity and humility.
Questions to share
- Which passage touches you or burns in your heart the most? Why?
- How have you exercised this gift in the past?
- How are you now exercising this gift in ministry?
- Do you see new ways you can exercise this ministry in the future?
May 29, 2020 | Spiritual Gifts
“Go therefore and make disciples out of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
Mt 28:19-20.
“We intend that no one should blame us about this liberal gift which we are administering, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight, but also in the sight of men, “ 2 Cor 8:19-20.
“You are being enriched in every way for all generosity which through us produces thanksgiving to God for the administration of this public service is not only supplying the needs of the holy ones, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God.” 2 Cor 9:11-12.
“Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:2.
“Lay persons of a genuinely apostolic spirit supply the needs of others and are a source of consolation no less to the pastors than to the rest of the faithful. Nourished by their active participation in the liturgical life of their community, they engage zealously in its apostolic works; they draw others towards the Church who had been perhaps very far away from it; they ardently cooperate in the spread of the Word of God, particularly by catechetical instruction; by their expert assistance they increase the efficacy of the care of souls as well as of the administration of the goods of the Church.” Vatican II on the Laity, 10.
“Organizations created for group apostolates afford support to their members, train them for the apostolate, carefully assign and direct their apostolic activities. Whenever the laity are at work the apostolate under its collective and organized form should be strengthened.” Ibid.18.
“The laity are “to illuminate and order all temporal things.” They are to “permeate social, political and economic realities.” They have ”the right and duty, individually or grouped in associations to work so that the divine message of salvation may be known and accepted by all.” CCC 897-899.
“We consider lay participation in church life at all levels a gift of the Holy Spirit, given for the common good. Laity can and should exercise responsible participation both individually and in groups, not only at the invitation of church leadership but by their own initiative.” USCCB Called and Gifted for the Third Millenium.
“Too numerous to mention by name are all those instances in which lay persons have organized educational, advocacy, or charitable efforts which have helped the Church be a more credible and effective witness to the Gospel in public life.” Ibid.
“ I see that you really are a living parish where you all collaborate, where you bear each other’s burdens and thus contribute to the growth of the living building of the Lord, which is the Church.
She is not made of material stones but of living stones, of baptized people who feel the full responsibility of the faith for others, the full joy of being baptized and knowing God in the face of Jesus. Consequently, you are striving to ensure that this parish can truly grow. I would simply like to say thank you for your commitment. To see in a parish so many active people who visit the sick, who help those in difficulty, who collaborate with the parish priest, who see that there is a good celebration of the liturgy, is a joy.” Pope Benedict XVI, March 26, 2006.
Administration as a spiritual gift is to steer the body (whether parish, ministries or organization etc) toward the accomplishment of God given goals and directives by planning, organizing, and supervising a program and other people. Administration is a spiritual gift when used by the power of the Holy Spirit in an atmosphere of love, discernment and service. The administrator requires vision, goals and the spiritual means to accomplish them.
Questions to share
- Which passage touches you or burns in your heart the most? Why?
- How have you exercised this gift in the past?
- How are you now exercising this gift in ministry?
- Do you see new ways you can exercise this ministry in the future?
