THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: WHAT THEY REALLY ARE
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The seven gifts of the Holy
Spirit are properties and perfections or marks and characteristics bestowed by
God the Holy Spirit on Christians to make them more open, obedient and docile
to his encouragements and inspirations so that while they desire to fulfill
God’s will in this life, they may be filled with heavenly joy and assurance of
his guidance and help.
St. Francis de Sales said that it
is best to describe the gifts of the Holy Spirit in connection with the basic
gift of charity or love. Thus, we can say that:
WISDOM IS THE LOVE that makes us
appreciate how sweet and delicious God is
UNDERSTANDING IS THE LOVE that
makes us attentive to learn the beauty of our faith, knowing who God is for us
and knowing God through his creatures and through the events of our lives
KNOWLEDGE IS THE LOVE that makes
us attentive to learn who we are and who other creatures are in the sight of
God, enabling us to know how to serve the Lord better
COUNSEL IS THE LOVE that gives us
wisdom in choosing the best way to do God’s will and to serve him
FORTITUDE IS THE LOVE that makes
the heart strong in its decision to execute what counsel (above) has determined
PIETY IS THE LOVE which makes
everything we do for God sweet, light, and pleasurable because it is an act of
child-like offering to God
FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE LOVE that
pushes us to flee and avoid what is not in harmony with the heart of God.