Saturday After the Ascension

Gifts of the Holy Ghost

Preparation. - Among the graces we should ask of the Holy Ghost, His gifts are foremost. We shall consider the nature and effects, first, of the gifts that perfect our understanding, and secondly, of those that perfect our will, and then we shall ask them of the divine Paraclete with ardent supplications, as did the Blessed Virgin and the apostles, and as the Church herself does in her liturgy: "Deign to bestow Thy sevenfold gift on the faithful trusting in Thee.”

I. The Gifts That Perfect Our Understanding.

These gifts may be viewed as the light with which the Holy Ghost enlightens us, and which is diversified according to the effects He wishes to produce in us. Thus wisdom is an experimental knowledge of God, which enables us to taste and to judge accordingly of all created things. Understanding causes us to behold as if in full daylight the truths of faith. Knowledge makes known to us in general the means of sanctifying ourselves, and counsel enables us to apply them to our conduct in particular cases.

The Holy Ghost pours these lights or gifts into our soul together with sanctifying grace, but in different degrees. If we posses them in an eminent degree, as the Saints did, we are inundated with so much light, that it becomes impossible for us to attach ourselves to the earth, and to keep from seeking heavenly goods. “Then shalt thou see and abound,” says the prophet, “and thy heart shall wonder and be enlarged” (Isaiah 60. 5). Such was the condition of the apostles on the day of Pentecost; they were looked upon as men inebriated or delirious, so fervently and enthusiastically did they speak.

Is our faith as lively as theirs? Do we look with contempt on that which is transitory, in order to esteem solely the goods of eternity? Can we say with St. Bernard and other saints that our tongue does not suffice for our heart, so great are the lights we receive on revealed truths? How far are we from these great models, we who cannot meditate for even a quarter of an hour without being several times distracted!

Let us beseech the Holy Ghost to take possession of our understanding by shedding thereon the streams of light we call wisdom, understanding, knowledge and counsel. Then shall the life of faith be strengthened in our soul against worldly prejudices and maxims and the vain pretexts of human respect. Then we shall realize how false are all transitory goods, how vain earthly enjoyments, and how frivolous is self-love with its pretensions and sensitiveness. The mystery of the cross shall then be no longer a folly or a scandal; and our thoughts shall be great, our views exalted, our sentiments noble; we shall be charmed with the beauties of religion, the riches of grace and the rewards of glory, and our heart shall super abound in love, happiness and hope. “Thy heart shall wonder and be enlarged.”

O my God, grant that it may be so, through the merits of Jesus and Mary’s intercession, and make me faithful in corresponding until death with the visits and lights of the Holy Ghost.

II. The Gifts That Perfect Our Will.

These gifts are nothing else than a supernatural strength imparted to our soul by the Holy Ghost, which is applied to different objects. Thus piety is the firm and sincere affection, which prompts us to render to God the love and worship due to Him, either in Himself or in His images. Fear of God is a sincere respect for the divine Majesty and a childlike horror of every thing that offends God. Fortitude is a gift, which enables us to act and suffer nobly, through motives of faith, without weakness or inconstancy.

During Christ’s Passion the apostles were timid and cowardly. But scarcely had they received the Holy Ghost than they became courageous and intrepid. The same was the case with the first faithful; fortified by the Holy Ghost, they were enabled to face torments and death to defend their faith.

Have we any resemblance to those fervent souls who dread no obstacle, when there is question of pleasing Jesus? How we hesitate and weaken when it behooves us to conquer human respect, to undergo confusion, to give up some notion, to stifle an aversion, to forgive an injury! How little do we struggle against ourselves, when we are required to repress our ill humor, our peevishness, our harshness, our self-will, and our whims! What is the cause of our lack of earnestness in the practice of self-denial, of patience and the other virtues? It is because we are more full of ourselves than of the Holy Ghost.

Let us then profoundly humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our wretchedness, and implore of Him the gifts that perfect our heart and our will; first, a childlike fear inspiring us with a horror of sin and with respect for His divine presence; secondly, interior fortitude, which helps us to bear our trials and overcome temptations; and thirdly, the most sincere piety, which will enable us to discharge all our duties towards Him and our neighbor.

O my sovereign Lord, Spirit of power and holiness, grant me that tenderness of conscience, which may keep me from even the smallest faults and cause me to revere Thy adorable Majesty. Impart to me self-denial and patience in all that contradicts my pride and my self-love, and also that tender and impressive piety, which comprises a relish for prayer and the homage’s due Thy infinite goodness and adorable perfections.