Seven Unchosen Gifts of the Holy Spirit
In the Catholic tradition, the Holy Spirit is the Giver of Life, the Sanctifier, and the source of all grace. To help us live fully as disciples of Christ, the Spirit bestows upon us seven specific, supernatural perfections—the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. It’s crucial to understand these gifts are not talents we develop or virtues we choose, but rather divine endowments given to us freely. They are necessary to align our human will perfectly with God’s will.
Here are the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, as traditionally understood:
1. Wisdom
Wisdom is not mere earthly intelligence or common sense; it is the gift that allows us to see things from God’s perspective. It enables us to value the things of God above all else and to properly order our lives according to divine truth. It is the ability to judge the things of the world in the light of God.
2. Understanding
Understanding is the gift that illuminates the truths of faith. It helps us grasp the meaning of God’s revelation, penetrating beyond the surface words of scripture or doctrine to comprehend the divine realities they convey. It gives us insight into the mysteries of faith, allowing us to hold them not just intellectually, but spiritually.
3. Knowledge
Knowledge allows us to recognize the created world’s true value and its relationship to God. This gift helps us see that the beauty and limitations of creation point back to the Creator. It enables us to use created things rightly, avoiding attachment to them while recognizing them as gifts from God.
4. Counsel (Right Judgment)
Counsel is the perfection of the virtue of prudence. It guides us in making instantaneous, correct moral judgments, especially in complex or difficult situations. When faced with a choice, this gift prompts us with the right course of action that leads to salvation and holiness. It is the spiritual GPS for the soul.
5. Fortitude (Courage)
Fortitude gives us the supernatural strength and courage to persevere in our faith despite fear, danger, or persecution. It empowers us to stand firm for Christ and His teachings, even when it is costly or unpopular. This gift allows us to overcome obstacles and patiently endure long struggles for the sake of goodness.
6. Piety (Reverence)
Piety is the gift that inspires a sense of loving reverence and devotion toward God as our Father. It moves us to genuine worship and faithful service, recognizing our complete dependence on Him. It fosters a tender, loving relationship with God and a respectful relationship with others, whom we see as fellow children of God.
7. Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe)
Often misunderstood, Fear of the Lord is not terror, but profound respect, wonder, and awe in God’s presence. It is the loving dread of offending God because we recognize His magnificent holiness and infinite goodness. It instills in us a profound desire to avoid sin out of love for the One who is everything.
Asking for These Gifts
Since these Seven Gifts are freely given and not earned, we cannot choose them. However, we can and must actively ask for them. They are bestowed upon us, but they must be continually stirred up within us (like a flame that needs air) to be effective.
We ask for them through prayer, specifically seeking the intercession of the Holy Spirit to perfect these gifts in our souls. When we pray for wisdom, for example, we are asking the Holy Spirit to intensify the gift already present, allowing us to see and act with greater clarity and holiness.
By continuously invoking the Holy Spirit, we allow these seven divine gifts to transform our human nature, making us fully equipped to live a life worthy of the Gospel and to carry out the mission Christ has entrusted to us.
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