Daily Mass Gospel Reflection- The Unrationed Gift Of The Spirit

Friends, today’s Gospel declares that the Son of God
does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
At the cathedral in Chartres, the figure of Jesus is surrounded by seven doves,
symbolizing these seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:
wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety,
and fear of the Lord.
The Messiah will be filled up with all of the powers and energies of God’s Spirit.

These seven gifts have played a prominent role in our tradition,
appearing in theologians as diverse as Gregory the Great, Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas.
These gifts are signs that the Christian is participating in Jesus Christ.
In holding up this image, therefore, the Church is asking us to meditate
on the people that we are called to be:
participants in Jesus.

How does one come by these gifts?
We can’t really earn them or work our way toward them.
But they do come from Jesus Christ,
and therefore from our proximity to him through the Church and the sacraments.
As we wait in joyful hope for the coming of the Lord,
pray for the conformity to him that consists in the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

+++The one who comes from above is above all.
The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things.
But the one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard,
but no one accepts his testimony.
Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.
For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God.
He does not ration his gift of the Spirit.
The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,
but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life,
but the wrath of God remains upon him.+++

" The Baptism of Cornelius. While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit descended upon all who were listening to his message. The circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speaking in tongues and proclaiming the greatness of God. Peter said further, “Can anyone withhold the water of baptism from these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” Then he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward, they asked him to stay with them for a few days." - Acts 10:44-49

The suggestion here is that Peter believed that the Holy Spirit was meant only for the Jewish Believers in Messiah. Peter presumed that the gifts of the Holy Spirit were exclusive to Jewish Believers. He was wrong!

Where are the gifts listed in the Bible?

" There are different kinds of gifts. But it is the same Holy Spirit Who gives them. There are different kinds of work to be done for Him. But the work is for the same Lord. There are different ways of doing His work. But it is the same God who uses all these ways in all people. The Holy Spirit works in each person in one way or another for the good of all. (1) One person is given the gift of teaching words of wisdom. (2) Another person is given the gift of teaching what he has learned and knows. These gifts are by the same Holy Spirit. (3) One person receives the gift of faith. (4)Another person receives the gifts of healing. These gifts are given by the same Holy Spirit. (5) One person is given the gift of doing powerful works. (6) Another person is given the gift of speaking God’s Word. (7) Another person is given the gift of telling the difference between the Holy Spirit and false spirits. (8)Another person is given the gift of speaking in special sounds. (9)Another person is given the gift of telling what these special sounds mean. But it is the same Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, Who does all these things. He gives to each person as He wants to give. - 1 Cor 12:4-11

“Where are the seven gifts noted in the Bible?”

The devotional is referring to this:

Isaiah 11:2 NKJV
The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

Interestingly, there are seven gifts listed in Romans, perhaps because they are the foundational gifts:

Romans 12:6-8 NKJV
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.