Gifts of the Holy Spirit
A Brief Examine on the
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Drawn from “The Sanctifier”
by Archbishop Luis
M. Martinez
and arranged by our soon to be Solemnly Professed Sister Mary Angelique
Through His Gifts the Holy Spirit
acts directly in our souls. Like the
virtues, the gifts are vital germs that need to be cultivated. Our work, our effort as Christians, consists
in nurturing with exquisite care these precious seeds God has placed in our
soul. In conducting this Examine, we
study how these gifts have developed in us, and how we can be more docile to
their influence. What can and ought we
to do in order to bring these gifts to perfect growth?
1.
Increase charity in our
hearts, since charity is the root of the gifts.
2.
Develop the virtues which
we receive along with the grace of God, preparing the ground for the Spirit to
come and finish the work.
3.
To develop the Gifts of
the Spirit, we must be responsive to His Inspirations.
The following will help us
recognize how the Spirit is at work in our souls through His Gifts and discern
where we need to grow in them.
Whosoever
desires, whosoever loves, experiences a profound fear of being separated from the
Loved One, fear of displeasing Him.
“I can do all
things in Him Who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)
Enables one to
observe how obstacles become a means to good in God’s All-Powerful Hands.
Confidence,
security, peace of soul, happiness, joy in suffering.
Not strict
justice or obligation, but an overflowing filial affection that desires the honor of God. An unmeasurable love and generosity towards
others—a love rooted not in matter, but in an inner fountain of love.
Boundless love and
confidence, complete surrender and self-gift, gratitude.
The Spirit of God
guides with security, without timidity or mishap, in peace and
tranquility. Souls who yield to His
Guidance do not walk in uncertainty-they are serene, their course is sure.
A Supernatural
Prudence by which the Holy Spirit guides along the winding and troublesome
paths of this life, until the soul reaches perfection in the inexpressibly
loving Embrace of God.
Reveals intuitively, with irresistible conviction, the vanity of all
things.
Leads the soul to see all as a reflection of God—all things invite to
the Love of God.
Leads the soul to value suffering and humiliation which make it resemble
Christ.
Looking at things in the light of truth, new desires
“Blessed are the Pure of Heart, for they shall see God.” The Gift of Penetration, intuition, and
profound vision springing from loving union with God and purity of heart. Penetration of the reality beneath
sacramental signs, the words of Scripture, the joys and sorrows of every day
life, the Mysteries of Christ, etc.
United to God in an intimate union of love, the soul tastes, understands by actual
experience, savors and knows His
Infinite Goodness.
The highest gift which conforms the soul most perfectly to Christ—the
gift by which the soul sees all things through the eyes of the Beloved.
In the highest degree of Wisdom, souls live as if in heaven; they begin
to taste the delights of the Beloved and no longer seek the things of earth,
for now they see everything in relation to the heavenly Kingdom.
May the Divine Spirit pour His Light into our souls, touch our hearts,
reveal to us the world of sanctity and grace, so that we may love Him more and
more. May He lead us with His Holy
Movements, and guide us into that world of light and love, of generosity and
elevation. May He enkindle in our hearts
the Holy Fire of Love, so that we sigh for nothing but the infinite, the
eternal, the Divine...
Veni Sancte Spiritus!
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