The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit was in St. Stephen Church last Friday night. He came bearing seven gifts to 38 persons who were receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Like any gifts, however, those in attendance were free to refuse or ignore them, or to put them into practice in their lives.

     What were these special gifts? They were wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord. What do they mean?

     Wisdom means the ability to see things as God sees them, not as the world sees them. Understanding means being able to listen, care, and forgive. Knowledge means the ability to comprehend the truths of God and to use them for our betterment and that of those around us.

     Counsel, or right judgment, means being able to use the knowledge available to us to make good and wise decisions. Fortitude, or courage, means having the strength to do the right thing when others want us to do the wrong thing. Piety, or reverence, means having a deep respect for God, for other people, and for all of creation.

     Fear of the Lord does not mean that we should be afraid of God, who after all is love and mercy. It means that we should be afraid of losing Him by failing to love Him and to keep His commandments. Our God of love is also a God of justice: He will reward good and punish evil.

     All of these seven gifts are important, but one could argue that fortitude is particularly necessary today when it would be so easy to turn our backs on God and follow the culture. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us.