The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

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• The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

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Wisdom
Wisdom

• Wisdom is mentioned more than 500 times in the
  Bible. Many times Jesus used the word. It is the
  gift that strengthens our faith, deepens our hope
  and helps us live our life with Jesus as the
  centre. Wisdom makes it easier for us to
  recognize what is of God so that God's interests
  will always come first in our daily lives.

Pope John Paul II
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Understanding
Understanding

• Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit,
  opens our minds to grasp the meaning of the
  truths of our religion. By faith we know them but
  by Understanding we learn to appreciate them. It
  enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of
  revealed truths and through them to be awakened
  to newness of life -to be reborn in the Holy
  Spirit. Our faith becomes alive because we see
  reality more clearly. God's Spirit gives us a
  clearer grasp of life and its meaning, and when
  we understand reality it is easier for us to live
  it.

Catherine Doherty
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Right Judgement
Counsel

• This gift helps us to judge between what
  should be done, and what should be avoided in our
  daily life. With the assistance of the gifts of
  knowledge and understanding, right judgement is a
  wonderful help as we try to make decisions in our
  ordinary, day to day lives. It is a gift of
  spiritual "common sense" - a common sense that
  assures us the spirit is resting gently in our
  hearts to guide us to the proper decisions.

Oscar Romero
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Courage
Fortitude

• Frequently we link courage and fear in our
  daily life, both of them are very real. The
  Gospel uses both words often. When we fear or are
  frightened we naturally reach out to others for
  comfort and reassurance. But it is very to reach
  into our souls where God's Spirit lives. There we
  find the gift of Courage. When the apostles were
  frightened during the storm on the Sea of Galilee
  they turned to Jesus, calling out for help. Jesus
  understood their fear. He calmed the rough waves
  - and replaced their fear with courage. The
  Spirit of Jesus will always be there for us.
• .

Maximilian Kolbe
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Knowledge
Knowledge

• "Did you not know that I must be about my
  Father's business?" Jesus spoke these words to
  Mary and Joseph when, as a young boy, He was
  "lost". They found Him in the Temple, preaching.
  The wonderful gift of Knowledge helps us to see
  things and events God's way. Everything we are
  and have must be seen as God sees them the Gift
  of Knowledge helps us to do that. Pain and
  suffering without God are fearful and
  frightening, but when we are aware of the Spirit
  of God dwelling within us we feel supported and
  strengthened. By the gift of Knowledge we will
  see the things that happen to us and around
  through the eyes of God. This surely is a
  powerful gift.

Dorothy Day
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Reverence
Piety

• The gift of Reverence inspires us to a filial
  affection for God as our most loving Father. It
  inspires us to love and respect all people and
  all things created by him. We love them because
  he loves them - his Blessed Mother, our parents,
  and our leaders because in a way they represent
  him. Whoever is filled with the gift of Reverence
  finds the practice of his religion not a
  burdensome duty but a delightful service. Where
  there is love, there is no labour. "Those who
  love me keep my commandments."

Mother Teresa
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Wonder Awe
Fear of the Lord

• Our respect for God is such that we will try
  our best to avoid anything that might damage it.
  This respect is a wonderful mixture of reverence
  and awe as we come to a greater realization of
  God's love in our life. It truly is the beginning
  of wisdom. The gift of Wonder and Awe is
  something similar to a final coat of paint on a
  masterpiece we stand back and marvel at God's
  closeness to us through the Holy Spirit. It draws
  forth from our soul a cry of gratitude that our
  God really wants to live in us as our Friend, our
  Counsellor and our Love.
• .

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• Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of your
  faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your
  love.
• Send forth your Spirit and they shall be
  created and you shall renew the face of the earth.

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• The End