SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI FEAST DAY OCTOBER 4

INTRODUCTION

 Thursday October 4 is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi.  Most of us know in general about Francis love for God’s creation, the animals, BROTHER sun, SISTER moon, and all that God has made.  Many parishes will be blessing pets today.  Pets are our companions and gift from God on our journey. They cheer us on even our worst day.  Thank God for your pets!

But today, I want to focus on St. Francis , Model of Virtue.  If we are going to fight off temptation and avoid sin, we must fight them with opposite virtues. For example, if Pride is your particular weak spot then work and pray for humility.  If you have angry thoughts and say angry words then work and pray for patience.

A virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do the good. (CCC 1803)  Moral virtues are acquired by human effort.  They are the fruit and seed of morally good acts. (CCC 1804)  Charity is the Theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake and our neighbor for love of God.  (CCC 1822) The practice of all virtues is animated and inspired by CHARITY. (CCC 1827)

FRANCIS OF ASSISI

In 1182, Francis was born to a wealthy cloth merchant of Assisi, Pietro Bernardone, and his French wife, the Lady Pica.  Francis was a young man of charm and wit with a consuming desire to be a knight after the fashion of his heroes, the legendary knights’ errant of the court of King Arthur and the court of Charlemagne.  In his twentieth year, Francis rides off to battle against the neighboring city of Perugia.  Assisi is routed and Francis is taken prisoner.  While in prison, Francis becomes ill; his release from prison was finally ransomed by his Father.

After imprisonment and ill health, the world had lost some of its splendor for Francis.  It is in this desperate desolation that Francis begins to hear new voices within his old voices of vain glory and legendary tales of courtly love.  God’s voice became louder and clearer. One day Francis hears: “Francis! Everything you have loved and desired in the flesh, is now your duty to despise and hate, if you wish to know my will. When you have begun this, all that now seems sweet and lovely to you will become intolerable and bitter… but all that you used to avoid will turn itself to great sweetness and exceeding joy.”

Another time while praying in the chapel of San Damiano, Francis hears, “Francis repair my house which is falling into ruin.”  Francis begins selling his Father’s goods to raise money for repairs then resorts to begging for stones of the townspeople. Enraged at his son’s profligacy, Pietro drags his son before the Bishop.

Francis strips himself of his clothes before the Bishop and lays them at his father’s feet and utters the most dramatic words of his life, “Listen to me everybody!  Until now I have called Pietro Bernardone my father.  But now that I am determined to serve God, I return not only his money but all the clothes I have from him.  From now on, I can walk naked before the Lord, no longer saying “my father,” Pietro Bernardone, but, ‘our Father who art in heaven!‘

Thus begins the journey of Francis from his father’s house to the house of his heavenly Father.  For Francis the Father is revealed in Jesus Christ and the journey home is in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.  The radical commitment of Francis to his Lord was nourished above all by the Scriptures.  Francis’ approach to the Bible was not one of analysis but one of immersing himself in the Word.

The tradition of courtly love, that so captivated Francis as a young boy, is the key to his singular vision of Christian virtue and spirituality.  Doing the will of God is not a response to a command to obey, but an exchange of love for love.  Just as the courtly lover undertakes painful and bizarre feats out of love and service to his Lady so as to impress her, Francis will now do anything to impress the love of his life, Jesus Christ.

It was another “Lady” that now impressed him, Lady Poverty, who he saw reflected the image of Christ,. Francis solemnized his “wedding” with his beloved spouse, Lady Poverty, under whose name he surrendered all worldly goods, honors and privileges.

Francis began to understand better God’s call to “rebuild his Church”  was more specific vocation to rebuild the spiritual life of the Church by bearing witness in imitation of Christ to the saving power of the Gospel.   Francis felt that evangelical poverty and victories over oneself were necessary means to spiritual growth in Jesus Christ.  It wasn’t long before Francis had a chance to put these two pillars of spirituality into practice.

One day Francis was riding across the plains of Assisi, he perceived a leper coming straight towards him.  In Francis’ day a leper had to ring a bell and shout, “Unclean.”  Society had embedded in Francis an incomparable loathing for all persons afflicted with this illness.   As Francis saw the leper approach his first reaction was horror then he remembered the resolve he made to attain perfection and to be a soldier of Christ meant victory over one self.  Francis dismounted his horse, kissed the leper, and gave him alms.

In this decisive moment of illumination Francis suddenly perceived in this leper the embodiment of God’s beauty, a human being to be loved and cared for tenderly.  By embracing the leper, the Saint learned to embrace all people just as Jesus did. For Francis the meaning of Creation is found in the person of Jesus Christ.  It is in and through Jesus Christ that we discover the meaning of our own humanity and that of every other creature.

As we enter more deeply into the Christ mystery (Incarnation) we will come to know the Word Made Flesh, the Word of God through whom all things are singularly loved into being.  For Francis, to live the Gospel is to “put flesh and blood” on God and proclaim that God’s glory is fully alive throughout the universe.

CLOSING PRAYER

O Almighty and all-knowing God,
without beginning or end,
who art the giver and preserver of all virtue:
Grant me the virtues I am most in need of
Prudence to resist the wiles of the Devil
Temperance to hold to moderation in all things

Patience that I may bear what may seem to be unbearable
Grant I may never lust after the goods of my neighbor but pray for my neighbor that they be blessed
Grant that the goods I am blessed with may be shared generously with others
And grant that I may never rush to do things hastily,
nor balk to do things demanding,
Amen.

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BELOVED DISCIPLE OF JESUS ANOINTS HIS FEET WITH PERFUMED OIL

As we approach July 22, Feast Day of Saint Mary Magdalen, my thoughts and emotions turn to many topics.  One is faith and discipleship, believing (faith), and following Christ (bearing witness).  My other thoughts are about my Mother who died on this feast day more than two decades ago.  My Mom believed and bore witness to Christ in everything she did.  There was no doubt that God was the most important thing in her life and the driving force behind her words and actions.  I gained a lot of comfort by my Mom being called to her heavenly home on the feast day of another woman, Mary Magdelen, first to see the risen Lord and witness His victory over death for us all.

There are millions and millions of saints in heaven not named by the Church.  Perhaps there are some in your family.  Everyone who goes to heaven is a saint.  My mom was a very ordinary woman, mother, and wife and will never receive any public recognition by the Church but like millions and millions of us who persevere and remain faithful to the Good News of Jesus,  she is now enjoying  the full rewards of the Beatific Vision in heaven.

My Mom would get up an hour before morning Mass (6:00 am) and say prayers in living room for a good half hour before waking me and dragging me to early morning Mass each morning.  We went to the Sacrament of Confession weekly.  I attended with my Mom and Dad Mother of Perpetual devotions, then hurried home to watch Bishop Fulton Sheen on TV.  At Christmas time, we made visits to every church possible with a nativity set. Mom and Dad began a family rosary and invited neighbors to join us.  My Mom taught by example what it meant to be grateful to God and love him in our neighbor.  She was there for anyone in need.  The house was always filled with collections for rummage sales for St. Vincent De Paul Society.

Later in life, my Mother was caregiver in our home to her Mother and my Dad who were both bedridden with serious illnesses until they passed away,  After I married,  my Mom went into the convent as a Visitation sister and served that vocation for 25 years.  And then when it was time for her to come home to her heavenly home, God called her on the feast of St. Mary Magdalen.  A stamp of approval if I ever saw one, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy lord.” 

 FEAST OF ST. MARY MAGDALEN JULY 22 RAISED TO DIGNITY OF FEAST

In 2016 Pope Francis raised the memorial of St. Mary Magdalen to a liturgical feast to the dignity of a liturgical Feast, recognizing the importance of her role as the “apostle to the apostles.” In the modern Church calendar, saints may be commemorated with a memorial (optional or obligatory), feast, or solemnity. By making the commemoration of Mary Magdalen a feast, she was elevated to the same grade as that of the  male apostles.

In the 21^st century, the Church is called to reflect in a more profound way on the dignity of Woman in the Church and on promoting a New Evangelization.  Mary Magdalen is the model for both.   It is right that the Church raises her status to full Feast equal to the male Apostles.  This saintly woman known in Scripture as the one who loved Christ and was greatly loved by Christ is rightly promoted to the faithful as a model of women’s role in the Church.

Women, like the male laity have been commissioned by Christ at their baptisms to be priests, prophets and kings.  Priests, in the sense of offering all we do, our works, joys, and sorrows for the kingdom.  Prophets, in the sense of preaching the Good News and giving witness to our faith, and Kings, good stewards here on earth in service to Christ the King in Heaven.

 MARY MAGDALEN MODEL OF FAITHFUL DISCIPLESHIP

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,”^*which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.. Mary of Magdala went and announced to the apostles, “I have seen the Lord,” and what he told her. John 20: 15-18

   “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father”

“Saint Mary Magdalene is an example of true and authentic evangelization; she is an evangelist who announces the joyful central message of Easter,”

In the 6^th Century, Saint Pope Gregory the Great identified St. Mary Magdalen as the woman who anointed Christ’s feet with perfume in the home of Simon the Pharisee.

“Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love.^*But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”  But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace!” Luke 7:44-50

Jesus does not acknowledge his critics but the repentant woman and praises her for her great love and faith and sends her on her way sanctified and redeemed.  From that moment Mary Magdalen became a faithful disciple and witness. “Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.  Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Luke 8:1-2

 Mary Magdalen followed Him to Calvary, “There were many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee”.

 Mary Magdalen followed to the tomb and saw where He was buried, came on Sunday to anoint Him and was rewarded with His appearance and commission to go evangelize and spread the Good News.  He is Risen!

Our first parents, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden spread death where there was life.  Mary Magdalen in the garden of the Resurrection announced life from the Holy Sepulchre, a place of death.

CONCLUSION

There is an important lesson taught to us in Jesus’ words to Mary, “Do not cling to me,” John 20:17.  Jesus invites us along with Mary Magdalen to enter into the experience of faith which goes beyond the material and that which can be discovered by our “senses.”  Remember Jesus’ words to Thomas after the resurrection behind closed doors, “Blessed are those who have not seen and believe.”

 Women in the church have a lot of issues.   It is right that the liturgical celebration of this woman should have the same rank of Feast as that given to the celebration of the male Apostles in the General Roman Calendar. The special mission of this woman should be underlined. St. Mary Magdalen is an example and model for all women in the Church.

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OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

BACKGROUND

 Mt. Carmel is an interesting place, Biblically speaking.  In Greek, it is karmel and means “Garden of God.” It is located in Palestine between Tyre and Caesarea about 20 miles from Nazareth, home of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.  The prophet Elijah witnessed our God’s triumph over the pagan gods of Ba’aal.

In the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, it was the Prophet Elijah and the lawmaker, Moses who appeared with Jesus who is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.  Carmel is the place where not only Elijah and Elisha lived and prayed but many hermits after them lived lives of prayer and sacrifice.  It is a place described as a place where one is alone with God.

 ELIJAH

 Before Elijah the prophet of Mount Carmel was a witness to the living God, he had first to become aware of his own weaknesses and helplessness.

Elijah cried out to God, “Yahweh, I have had enough. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4).  It is humility and acknowledgment of dependence that brings God fully on board.

In the New Testament, St. Paul begged to be free of “a thorn in his flesh” God told him, “my grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Paul replied, “…I am content then in my weakness, for the sake of Christ, when I am weak, than I am strong” When we are aware of own weakness and emptiness we are ready to be filled by God.

In the Old Testament Elijah is first mentioned in 1 Kings 17:1 and is last seen in 2 Kings 2:13 when he is taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot. Elijah is a prophet to point the way of the true religion of Israel verses the pagan gods. Elijah was the prophet and instrument of God to preserve the true religion of Israel.  He preached conversion and repentance and turning away from pagan gods.

Perhaps the most exciting and dramatic event in the story of Elijah, the prophet is his confrontation with Ahab and Jezebel and the prophets of the pagan god, Ba’al on Mount Carmel. (I Kings, chapter 18) Elijah challenged Ahab’s prophets to a dueling sacrifice of bulls to see whose God was more powerful, “You shall call upon the name of your gods, and I will call upon the name of the LORD. The God who answers with fire is God.”

All the people answered, “We agree!”  Elijah then said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one young bull and prepare it first, for there are more of you. Call upon your gods, but do not start the fire,” The prophets of Ba’al called upon their god from morning until evening to no avail. Elijah, rebuilt the altar of the Lord with twelve stones, prepared a holocaust and even surrounded it with water.

He cried out to the Lord “Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that thou, O Lord, art God, and that thou hast turned their hearts back.”  The LORD’s fire came down and devoured the burnt offering, wood, stones, and dust, and lapped up the water in the trench.  Seeing this, all the people fell prostrate and said, “The LORD is God! The LORD is God!”

Elijah is the founder patriarch of the Order of Carmel. His charism reveals a singular devotion and love for Our Lord, zeal for the salvation of souls and a deep life of prayer.  St. John the Baptist bridged the Old to the New Testament, as he lived the spirit of Carmel in the desert as a hermit. In silence and solitude, he prepared the way for the Lord. The Spirit of Carmel allows the love of God to increase in us, so that like St. John the Baptist, we can say, “He must increase, I must decrease” (Jn 3:30)

CARMELITE SPIRITUALITY

Humility and dependence on God is central to Carmelite Spirituality. The first rule of the Carmelites was written by St. Albert Avogadro between the years 1206 – 1214. In the 16th century, St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) and St. John of the Cross (both from Spain) inaugurated a reform of the Carmelite Order, aimed at returning to the original observance of the primitive Carmelite rule established by St. Albert. Sts. Teresa and John of the Cross, speak of prayer and contemplation as ‘friendship with God’ and ‘union with God’ respectively.

Both Sts. Teresa and John of the Cross teach us that God, the Blessed Trinity, dwells within the human person. Hence, one need not go out of self in search for God but enter progressively ever deeper within oneself to be with God who dwells at the very center of our being.  Carmelite spirituality proposes silence and solitude as necessary pre-requisites for prayer and contemplation.

Silence refers not only to external noise but also to the stilling of one’s internal noises. Silence is the condition for listening attentively to the still small voice of God. to focus more attentively on the Beloved. Solitude is not primarily separation or isolation from others, but a place of privileged encounter with the Beloved.

Reminiscence of Elijah in I Kings:19: 11-13, “Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD;^* the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake;12after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound.^*  When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.”

Carmelite Spirituality also focuses on austerity as a means of freeing one-self from the tyranny of self-will, simplifying one’s life, and preserving all of one’s energy for journeying to God. Detachment is a way of placing God first above all creatures.  Carmelite spirituality is not just about self-salvation but the salvation of others as their prayers include all of us that all may be one in the Spirit and homeward bound.

OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

 Now you may be asking yourself, what does Mary, the Mother of God have to do with Carmel and why a feast day.  Good question.  And I am prepared to answer it.  From the cross, Jesus gave Mary to be our Mother.  As our Mother she intercedes with her Son that He may gift us with all we need that we may be saved.  Mary is a very important intercessor on our behalf.  Next to Jesus, the best.

From all eternity God chose Mary as the means to bring Christ into the world. Christ could have entered into the world any number of ways. But God chose Mary as the vessel through which all grace would come

Eve, through her disobedience, brought sin into the world. Mary, through her obedience brought salvation.  By Mary’s simple yes to God’s will, salvation entered the world.  The gathering on Mount Carmel, “the Garden of God” in the Old Testament, points to the reality that today we must be united in this battle, under the mantle of Our Lady,” the woman who crushes the head of the serpent” (Gen 3:15).

On July 16, 1251, Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock who was Prior General of Carmel.  St. Simon Stock had prayed fervently to the Blessed Mother for assistance as the Order of Carmel was enduring difficulties.  Our Lady appeared to him, holding the Brown Scapular in her hands, saying to him,

, “This will be the sign of the privilege that I have obtained for thee and for the children of Carmel; whoever dies clothed with this habit will be preserved from the eternal flames”

 Today, any priest has permission to enroll a lay person in the brown scapular.  The conditions to receive the promises are  very simple 1.to continually wear the scapular; 2.  observe chastity according to your state in life; 3. say daily the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin OR say 5 decades of the rosary. The Brown Scapular is a sign of maternal relationship with the Mother of God.  Those who are clothed with Scapular and entrust themselves to the Virgin Mary.

The Scapular garment is a reminder that through baptism we have been “clothed in Christ, with the assistance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who helps her children to conform our lives to the Word Incarnate that we may arrive in our heavenly homeland wearing our nuptial garb”

The Scapular speaks of the Blessed Mother’s victory over evil, as she promises that those who die wearing the Scapular will not suffer eternal fire. In other words, through the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the soul will not be lost to Satan. As Mount Carmel symbolizes Our Lord’s triumph over evil, this will happen again through the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel who promises salvation to her children who strive to remain united to her and her Son.

The Gospel in the Liturgy on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is the Gospel of Calvary, “‘Woman, behold, your Son!’…Then he said the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’” (Jn. 19:26-27). This Gospel reveals Mary’s participation in the offering of her Son, and her spiritual motherhood of all mankind.   Through her Immaculate Heart and maternal care of Mary, her children grow in love and the zeal for the salvation of souls. Love is the “heart” of Carmel.  It is her triumph of love in which she unites her children with Our Lord for eternity.

CONCLUSION

 In order to approach God more intimately, we must humbly approach Him, detached from other attachments that act as a barrier to God filling us with Himself.  Silence and special places can assist us in our prayer time to deepen our relationship with Jesus and His Father.  When we are aware of our own weakness that is when God is most likely to fill us and make us strong.  God must increase and I must decrease.

Listen to that small quiet voice of the Spirit and pray for discernment.  What is that voice really telling me?   It may not be what I wanted to hear or expected.  Sometimes it even says wait awhile.

Mary is our maternal mother too.  Pray for her intercession.  She intends to bring all souls to salvation.  She gave us the brown scapular that we might be clothed with Jesus as we were at our Baptisms. Clothed in Jesus Christ we make our way to our heavenly home!

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HAPPY PENTECOST SUNDAY

INTRODUCTION
Today is a special day to pay honor to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Most Holy Trinity. But the Holy Spirit must not be forgotten the other 364 days of the year. The Holy Spirit is a constant in our call to repentance and conversion.

The Holy Spirit is that special advocate that Jesus promised us before His Ascension into Heaven.. Jesus would not leave us orphans and indeed, He didn’t. The Holy Spirit daily inspires, encourages, and enlightens us in our way “home” to the Father. If you had a good thought, thank the Holy Spirit. If you did a good deed, thank the Holy Spirit. If you made a good decision, thank the Holy Spirit.

COMMENTARY

The Trinity is one. We do not profess three Gods, JUST ONE! We profess One True God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three persons in One God. The three persons are one in nature.

Jesus is the Word made Flesh, the same substance as the Father. The Holy Spirit is the Lord and giver of Life proceeding from the Father and the Son, the same substance as the Father.
(Council of Nicea 325 and Constantinople 381)

The Father loves the Son. The Son loves the Father. The Spirit is the love between the Father and the Son. The Trinity is a model of communal love. From all eternity, without beginning there is One God in three Divine Persons. It is a mystery of our Faith that we can never fully comprehend or exhaust but we are able to speak about it.

“If a man loves me, says the Lord, he will keep my word and my Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”(John 17:21-23) “Everyone who glorifies the Father does so through the Son, in the Holy Spirit. Everyone who follows Christ does so because the Father draws him and the Spirit moves him.” (John 6:44)

OLD TESTAMENT
The term Spirit comes from the Hebrew word, ruach, meaning breath or air. In the First Creation Story in Genesis 1:2 “the Spirit of God was moving over the face of deep waters,” bringing order out of chaos. In the Second Creation Story, Genesis 2:7, “The Lord God formed man from the dust of the land and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living being.”

The Blessed Trinity is not complete without the Holy Spirit whom we adore and glorify with the Father and the Son. “Glory be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever.”

When we speak of the Father as Creator, we do not mean to say the Son and the Spirit had nothing to do with creation. The same can be said about the Father and the Spirit in regard redemption. The same can be said about the Father and the Son in regards sanctification. No person of the Blessed Trinity is ever absent in a divine action. The source of all divine actions in the world is one Divine Nature.

In addition to the Creation stories we find other references in the Old Testament to the Holy Spirit. In Exodus 13:15, God dried up the waters by sending a dry wind, once the waters were parted the Israelites escaped the Egyptians on dry land.

The Spirit inspired Joseph’s dreams in Egypt (Genesis 37). The Spirit inspired the great prophets, Ezekiel, (Chapter 20) Jeremiah (Chapter 31), and Isaiah (Chapter 61) that the Spirit would renew and restore the chosen people if only they would repent and turn back to God.

NEW TESTAMENT

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and the Word became flesh. “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and therefore the Holy Being, Who shall be born of you, shall be called the Son of God.” (Lk. 1:35)

The Holy Spirit is poured out in fullness in Baptism – virtues given freely to all believers to sustain moral life of the Christian – that means you get them all ! The gifts of the Holy Spirit are freely given so we will fulfill the God-given purpose of our lives. In the sacrament of Confirmation we individually confirm our acceptance of these gifts, but often they are not “stirred up” into activity until we are “baptized in the Holy Spirit”.

GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Wisdom – an understanding in our inner being that helps us develop the ability to make judgments about everything in our lives on the basis of a deep, personal union with the Lord and his abiding love.

Understanding – enlightenment of our minds and hearts with divine truth so that we can grasp the mysteries of the Lord. Signs of this gift are new insight into the Scriptures, increased depth in prayer, and renewed appreciation of the sacraments.

Counsel (Right Judgment) – the ability to receive and/or give good advice. It empowers us to make decisions in the Spirit in practical life situations. The Holy Spirit helps us discern good from evil, right from wrong.

Fortitude (Courage / Strength / Zeal) – enables us to face with strength the trials and dangers we encounter in our Christian life. It empowers us to choose consistently the right way to live in spite of disappointments and difficulties. It helps us resist the temptations of the world: money, power, and self-centeredness.

Knowledge – is having a deep trust and sureness about the Lord and knowing the truths of Christian revelation. This gift of tthe Holy Spirit produces in us a deep trust and sureness about the Lord. We grow in the gift of knowledge through daily study of the scriptures and the teachings of the Church.

Piety (Love) – Piety leads us to a true image of our Father as merciful, faithful, abounding in steadfast love, slow to anger – but also firm and just. We grow in piety through the practice of justice, attitudes of cooperation with authority, truthfulness, friendliness, and humility.

Fear of the Lord – an attitude of reverence and awe in the presence of God. It is not to be confused with the emotion of fear. This gift enables us to reverence all life as a reflection of God’s life. We grow in reverence by praying to God often, by being thankful for God’s gifts, and by respecting God’s name.

REFLECTION

1. How much time do I give to attending to my inner life?
2. Do I ever ask the Holy Spirit for assistance? What prayers do I use to stay in touch with the Holy Spirit?
3. How can my relationship to the Spirit assist me to overcome tendencies in pride, anger, lust, greed, envy,
excess, and laziness?
4, How am I using the traditional gifts of the spirit ?

PRAYER
Come Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life. Spirit of Wisdom inspire us to be courageous witnesses to the Truth. Come Holy Spirit dwell in us that we may dwell in Thee. Come Holy Spirit,, we adore you the same way we adore God the Father and God the Son. Praise and glory be yours, now and forever. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

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