Gifts of the Holy Spirit – May 25 – Homily – Fr Matthias

By May 25, 2023May 27th, 2023Bloomington, IN, Fr. Matthias Sasko, Homily

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Fr Matthias gives the homily at Bloomington, IN on May 25, 2023, on the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit that include Fear of God, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Knowledge, Understanding, Wisdom, for these we must pray especially through Our Lady.

After His Ascension, Jesus advised His disciples to stay in Jerusalem and anticipate the Holy Spirit's arrival, as described in [Acts 1:4-5 - Jesus told his disciples to wait for the promise of the Father](https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/1?4). They were devoted to prayer, preparing for Pentecost.

The Holy Spirit's arrival is a divine mission, a new divine presence prompting transformation in God's creatures. The Holy Spirit brings us seven gifts: Fear of God, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom.

1. The gift of Fear of God encourages respect for God, distancing us from sin and human judgement.
2. Counsel helps us judge rightly, especially in difficult situations.
3. Piety imparts joy and devotion in our religious duties, making faith less burdensome.
4. Fortitude drives us to overcome internal and external obstacles and do great things fearlessly.
5. Knowledge deepens our understanding of the world in relation to God, guiding us in using worldly things for our sanctification.
6. Understanding helps us comprehend revealed truths. Without effort, however, there's no gift.
7. Wisdom, a significant gift in Franciscan theology, allows us to discern and savor God and divine things.

These gifts are highly desirable and we must aspire to receive them. This requires us to desire them, ask for them, and open our hearts to receive them.

The apostles and disciples received the Holy Spirit through dedicated prayer, especially with Mary. We should similarly seek Mary's intercession to desire, receive, and possess the Holy Spirit's gifts, allowing God's transformative action in us.

00:00 - Introduction: Instructions After the Ascension
00:14 -  Interim Period: Between the Ascension and Pentecost
01:57 - The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
02:14 - Gift of Fear of God
03:00 - Gift of Counsel
03:36 - Gift of Piety
04:15 - Gift of Fortitude
04:47 - Gift of Knowledge
05:10 - Gift of Understanding
05:44 - Gift of Wisdom
06:43 - Importance and Desirability of the Gifts
07:03 - Receiving the Holy Spirit: Prayer and Devotion

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi - Opt Mem
Readings: Thursday 7th Week of Easter - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/052523.cfm
1st: act 22:30, 23:6-11
Resp: psa 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
Gsp: joh 17:20-26

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1079&r=1730

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