Toni-Kay: Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The questions posed,

Which of these Gifts of the Holy Spirit are most needed in our world today?  Our Church?  Why?

Frank X. Blisard shares in "Catholic Answers" (June, 2020)  St. Thomas Aquinas' view of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

"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."

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/the-seven-gifts-of-the-holy-spirit

This being said....it seems to  me that our task as contemporary / inclusive Catholics might be to revisit the Gifts of Holy Spirit  (as sorted out by Thomas Aquinas) and view them with a vision and interpretation through the lens of our current world and a contemporary inclusive theology that focuses on relationship vs. atonement and fear.  

For me, the most important gifts for the world are Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge.  

The world's leaders must have wisdom to direct the affairs of the world by leading with an understanding of the bigger picture of human affairs, than narrow self-serving interests.  

The world needs leaders who lead with the understanding to see the divinity of human life and existence, and the knowledge to judge and interpret human affairs and needs with justice and compassion.

First and foremost, the leaders of the institutional church must have piety.  I am not really fond of the way Thomas Aquinas defines piety.  For me, one who demonstrates the grace of piety reflects reverence and humility and leads by principle, understanding, wisdom, compassion and mercy.  A pious leader in the church reflects the face of Christ always.  

Church leaders must also lead by divine counsel with God, while at the same time avoiding any self-righteous arrogance  that may arise by their sense of positional power.  

They must avoid even the appearance of being revered themselves, and should maintain the position of being the lighthouse that points the way to God, the One who is to be revered. 






Comments

  1. I really appreciated this Toni-Kay! Thank you for sharing.

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