Wisdom of the Desert Chapter 3- The Holy Spirit in Our Lives
The Loving Search for God
Holy Spirit dispenses Fruits and Gifts. Let’s review them at this point since we rely on the Holy Spirit so deeply in Centering Prayer.
7 Fruits of the Spirit
Some denominations list some different gifts. We will use those that I am familiar with and I really don’t have time to do comparisons.
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Some Christians accept these as a definitive list of specific attributes and others understand them as examples of the Holy Spirit’s work through the faithful. The gifts are found in Isiah 11:2-3. The descriptions Are from St. Thomas Aquinas in Summa Theologica.
Wisdom (we see God in our lives): The wise person sees the wonders of nature, historical events, and the ups and downs of our lives take on a deeper meaning. The matters of judgment about the truth, and being able to see the image of God. We see God as our Father and other people with dignity. And lastly able to see God in everyone and everything.
Understanding: We comprehend how we need to live as a follower of Christ. A person with understanding is not confused by all the conflicting messages in our culture about the right way to live. It is the gift whereby self-evident principles are known (Thomas Aquinas).
Counsel (Right Judgment): With the gift of counsel we know the difference between right and wrong, and we chose to do what is right. A person with right judgment avoids sin and lives out the values taught by Jesus. The gift of truth that allows the person to respond prudently, and happily to believe in Christ the Lord.
Fortitude (Courage): With the gift of fortitude/courage, we overcome our fear and are willing to take risks as a follower of Jesus Christ. A person who has courage is willing to stand up for what is right in the sight of God, even if it means accepting rejection, verbal abuse, or even physical harm and death. The gift of courage allows people firmness of mind that is required in doing good and in enduring evil.
Knowledge: With the gift of knowledge, we understand the meaning of God. The gift of knowledge is more than an accumulation of facts.
Piety (Reverence): With the gift of reverence or piety, we have a deep sense of God. We recognize our total reliance on God and comes before God with humility, trust, and love. With piety we follow the Holy Spirit’s instigation, we pay worship and duty to God our Father (Aquinas).
Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe): With the gift of fear of the Lord we are aware of the glory and majesty of God. A person with wonder and awe knows that God is the perfection of all we desire: perfect knowledge, perfect goodness, perfect power, and perfect love. Aquinas describes the gift as “filial fear”, like a child’s fear of offending his father, rather than “servile fear,” that is fear of punishment. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom (Prov 1:7).
St. Thomas Aquinas says that four of these gifts (wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and counsel) direct the intellect, while the other three gifts (fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord) direct the will toward God. See this link for a discussion of the seven virtues.
In Summa Teologica II.II, Thomas Aquinas corresponds the virtues to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
The gift of wisdom corresponds to the virtue of charity.
The gift of understanding corresponds to the virtue of faith.
The gift of counsel (right judgment) corresponds to the virtue of prudence.
The gift of courage corresponds to the virtue of fortitude.
The gift of knowledge corresponds to the virtue of hope.
The gift of reverence corresponds to the virtue of justice.
The gift of wonder and awe corresponds to the virtue of temperance.
The seven gifts were often represented as doves in medieval texts
Especially depictions of the Tree of Jesse which shows the Geneology of Jesus.
In Centering Prayer we live in the presence of the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
At this link you will find a discussion of The Gifts of the Holy Spirit:
The Manifestation of Sanctifying Grace by Scott P. Richert. This article describes the gifts of the Holy Spirit, matches them to the gifts listed here, and then how they apply in our life.
Thanks for stopping.
Craig