Many parishes, when they come up for the collection during Mass on Pentecost, pick up a prepared cutout of a dove that has one of the seven gifts of the Spirit printed on it. This is a teaching moment - an interesting way to spend time reflecting on one of the gifts we've received.
Just as the apostles received abundant grace from the Holy Spirit and were sent out into the world, we are reminded of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and encouraged to enrich our lives by reflecting on the gifts. What do the gifts of the Holy Spirit mean?
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are seven graces that the Holy Spirit bestows for the sanctification of individuals and communities.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are mentioned in the Book of Isaiah (11:2-3). They were not limited to a certain number from the beginning. Later, the Latin Church Fathers identified the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The gifts are received specifically through the sacrament of Confirmation, but are not limited to that occasion: ▲Wisdom ▲ Understanding ▲ Counsel ▲ Knowledge ▲ Courage ▲ Piety ▲ Fear of God.
Wisdom is a gift that helps us see things from God’s perspective. Helps us discern God's will and live in a way that pleases him.
Understanding helps us to grasp the truth more deeply and appreciate its deeper meaning in our lives.
Counsel helps us make wise decisions by seeking counsel from others and giving it to others.
Knowledge helps us understand God's creation and the world around us, enabling us to appreciate God's wisdom and power.
Fortitude, moral strength, and courage, to persevere in the face of failure and stand firm in the face of adversity.
Piety is the gift that enables us to love God as His children and to love all His children. It enables us to forgive and truly love our neighbors.
Fear of the Lord is awe, reverence, and respect for God, acknowledging that all comes from God.
These are gifts, but it's necessary to remember that what is received as a gift, how something is understood, or experienced, is always filtered through the individual's existing beliefs, knowledge, and experiences. What's given is not received objectively, but rather shaped by the receiver's internal state—not in the manner of the one giving but in the manner of the one receiving.
