To guide us in our spiritual growth, the Holy Spirit offers us gifts of sanctifying grace. These gifts perfect basic virtues that will lead us to Heaven. When properly used, we stay focused on God.
Wisdom : This gift helps us stay focused on God's will and his plan for us.
Understanding : Lets us grasp truths. It means seeing with the heart, not just the mind.
Counsel : Also called "right judgement," counsel enables us to weigh all the alternatives to make the right choice.
Fortitude : The ability to remain firm against all pressures. (Also called courage.)
Knowledge : A person with knowledge sees more than one dimension of an issue to determine the right path.
Piety : Helps us think of ourselves as children of God and be eager to serve him.
Fear of the Lord : The wonder and awe God inspires encourages us to respect him and all his creations.
Accepting these gifts means identifying and using them : Just don't forget to call on the Holy Spirit for guidance when you do.
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Why Do Catholics Do That?
Why do Catholics call Jesus, "Lord"?
The word "lord" refers to someone having power or authority. When we call Jesus, "Lord", we acknowledge his power over sin and death as evidenced by his Crucifixion and Resurrection. We dedicate ourselves to his service.
"The New Testament uses this full sense of the title 'Lord' both for the Father and ......... for Jesus, who is thereby recognized as God himself" (Catedhism of the Catholic Church, #446). Therefore, Christians bend our knees to him as our Lord and no one else.
The word "lord" refers to someone having power or authority. When we call Jesus, "Lord", we acknowledge his power over sin and death as evidenced by his Crucifixion and Resurrection. We dedicate ourselves to his service.
"The New Testament uses this full sense of the title 'Lord' both for the Father and ......... for Jesus, who is thereby recognized as God himself" (Catedhism of the Catholic Church, #446). Therefore, Christians bend our knees to him as our Lord and no one else.
Follow the Holy Spirit to Heaven
During Lent, Catholics everywhere sharpen their consciences to prepare for Easter. As temples of the Holy Spirit, it is critical that we keep ourselves in mint condition. Nevertheless, even the most diligent caretaker can miss something. Fortunately, we have the Holy Spirit to assist with our Spring tune-up.
Give God full attention.
Whether it's by meditating on the limitless nature of his love, or by making sacrefices like turning off music or TV to better hear the whispering of the Holy Spirit (1 Kings 19:12), occasional silence is essential to learn how the Holy Spirit wants to work in our lives.
Read love letters from the Lord.
Since humans were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the Bible, studying it is like having a conversation with the Lord. What better way could there be to strengthen our relationship with him than by reading and meditating on his very words?
Open the floodgates of grace.
Growth in our relationship with God comes through grace. For example, we obtain grace by receiving him in the Eucharist at Mass, or obtaining guidance and forgineness from him in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. The means by which we may receive grace are endless. The Holy Spirit guides the Catholic Church, so it makes sense to make the Holy Spirit our guide, too.
Give God full attention.
Whether it's by meditating on the limitless nature of his love, or by making sacrefices like turning off music or TV to better hear the whispering of the Holy Spirit (1 Kings 19:12), occasional silence is essential to learn how the Holy Spirit wants to work in our lives.
Read love letters from the Lord.
Since humans were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the Bible, studying it is like having a conversation with the Lord. What better way could there be to strengthen our relationship with him than by reading and meditating on his very words?
Open the floodgates of grace.
Growth in our relationship with God comes through grace. For example, we obtain grace by receiving him in the Eucharist at Mass, or obtaining guidance and forgineness from him in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. The means by which we may receive grace are endless. The Holy Spirit guides the Catholic Church, so it makes sense to make the Holy Spirit our guide, too.
One Minute Meditations
St. Agnes of Bohemia
Imagine refusing marriage proposals from not one but two kings and the Holy Roman Emperor. For Agnes, daughter of Queen Constance and King Ottokar I, none but the King of Heaven could win her heart. In 1236, after financing the construction of a Poor Clare monastery in Prague, she entered this monastery with seven other noblewomen. Agnes became known for prayer, obedience and mortification. She turned her fortune and embraced poverty and kindness.
Year of Consecrated Life
Pope Francis declared this the Year of Consecrated Life.
Celebrate the Church's treasure of those in consecrated life. (See www.usccb.org for details).
"Dear brothers and sisters, may (the) Lenten season find the whole Church ready to bear witness to all those who live in material, moral and spiritual destitution, the Gospel message of the merciful love of God our Father, who is ready to embrace everyone in Christ."
Pope Francis
Imagine refusing marriage proposals from not one but two kings and the Holy Roman Emperor. For Agnes, daughter of Queen Constance and King Ottokar I, none but the King of Heaven could win her heart. In 1236, after financing the construction of a Poor Clare monastery in Prague, she entered this monastery with seven other noblewomen. Agnes became known for prayer, obedience and mortification. She turned her fortune and embraced poverty and kindness.
Year of Consecrated Life
Pope Francis declared this the Year of Consecrated Life.
Celebrate the Church's treasure of those in consecrated life. (See www.usccb.org for details).
"Dear brothers and sisters, may (the) Lenten season find the whole Church ready to bear witness to all those who live in material, moral and spiritual destitution, the Gospel message of the merciful love of God our Father, who is ready to embrace everyone in Christ."
Pope Francis
POP Quiz (Songs of Summer)
Complete the song titles begun in the first list with the correct conclusion from the second list.
1. Sunshine___________ A) Old Summertime
2. The Summer________ B) Down the River
3. You are____________ C) of the Street
4. Keep on____________ D) on My Shoulders
5. Cruising____________ E) Summer Breeze
6. Carolina____________ F) Wind
7. In the Good__________ G) in the Morning
8. Soft_________________ H) a Four-Leaf Clover
9. On the Sunny Side________ I) My Sunshine
10. I'm Looking Over________ J) the Sunny Side
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1.-D ; 2. -F ; 3. -I ; 4. -J ; 5. -B ; 6. -G ; 7. -A ; 8. -E ; 9. -C ; 10. -H
1. Sunshine___________ A) Old Summertime
2. The Summer________ B) Down the River
3. You are____________ C) of the Street
4. Keep on____________ D) on My Shoulders
5. Cruising____________ E) Summer Breeze
6. Carolina____________ F) Wind
7. In the Good__________ G) in the Morning
8. Soft_________________ H) a Four-Leaf Clover
9. On the Sunny Side________ I) My Sunshine
10. I'm Looking Over________ J) the Sunny Side
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers : 1.-D ; 2. -F ; 3. -I ; 4. -J ; 5. -B ; 6. -G ; 7. -A ; 8. -E ; 9. -C ; 10. -H
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