Pentecost - The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

"The Holy Spirit. . . will teach you all things." St. John, 14:26.

"I believe in the Holy Spirit." Creed.

For as long as we have had human records, the dove has been a guide for sailors and a 'Pilot for mariners. In ancient Assyria and Babylon, in Phoenicia and Indo-Europe the historian tells us of it. Whenever sailors wanted to know the direction or the distance of land they released one or two doves from a cage which was always carried along. The bird swiftly winged its way up above the storm-clouds, hung in the air for a moment, and then, like an arrow, flew for the nearest land. In that direction the sailor pointed the prow of his ship, certain that land lay in that direction. This practice has survived to our own day among many sailors and fishermen of the world.

What a beautiful picture that is of the dove of the Holy Spirit. Four times the gospel writers describe the Divine Spirit as descending in the form of a dove; which even before the time of Christ was the symbol of love and devotion. Life is like a sea. You and I are sailors. Sometimes we are lost; some times we are storm-tossed; often we are uncertain of the path to take. It is then that the Holy Spirit, like a dove, soars above the clouds of doubt and uncertainty, and leads the way to safety and security.

Today, Pentecost, we recall the first coming of the Holy Spirit in the form of fiery tongues upon the apostles and disciples. For nine days Since Christ's Ascension into Heaven they had been waiting and praying for this Spirit of truth and love, promised by our Lord. They were fearful, uncertain, doubtful and weak. But, today, what a change. With the Holy Spirit in their hearts they become strong and cou­rageous, certain and zealous. They go forth from that upper room, guided by the Divine Dove. Just as the dove dispelled the doubts of the sailor, so the Holy Spirit really taught the apostles all things.

To understand more clearly and fully what the Holy Spirit did on that first Pentecost, and what He will do for us, we want to consider His gifts and workings. Ages before the coming of Christ this work was foretold. After the Assyrians had attacked and almost annihilated Israel, God had mercy on His chosen people, and promised them assistance in the words of the prophet Isaias, 11:1-3: "And there shall come forth a shoot of the stock of Jesse and a flower shall rise up out of his root. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge and godliness. And He shan be fined with the spirit of the fear of the Lord." There we have the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost. What do they mean?

1. Wisdom is that gift by which we raise our minds above the fleeting things of earth and think of things eternal. It lights up the mind, helping the intellect to look at revealed truth in the sublime sunshine of heaven. It helps us taste God, as it were, and love God.

2. Understanding is that gift which throws a searching light upon the meaning of revealed truth. It helps us comprehend and know, as far as men can, the truths of faith and the divine mysteries. It tell us exactly what this or that revealed truth really means.

3. Counsel is that gift which makes clear to us, amid the uncertainties of life, what makes for the glory of God, our own salvation, and the salva­tion of our neighbor. Counsel helps our practical minds to see what should be done in individual cases, and what are the best means to do it. Counsel points the path when the path is none too certain.

4. Fortitude is the gift which helps us, with valor and courage, to observe faithfully the laws of God and His Church. It helps us overcome the dangers and difficulties on our Christian pathway to God.

5. Knowledge is the gift by which we judge correctly of created things, or creatures, and are taught to use them correctly, and direct them to God, their final end. It shows us that the truths of faith are believable and acceptable, even from the standpoint of reason.

Note the distinct difference between Christian and non-Christian knowledge. The former helps us put all things in their proper place and relation to their Maker. Mere knowledge, godless knowledge, is merely a piling up of facts and information, without any order or purpose. With this Christian knowledge St. Francis of Assisi was inspired to write his immortal "Canticle of the Sun," or Praise of all Creatures.

6. Piety is the gift by which we honor God as, our Father. Piety is from an old Latin word which means devotion to one's parents. Christian piety is devotion to our heavenly Parent. It helps us take pleasure in prayer, spiritual reading and good works, because they please our Father. It helps us have at heart everything that will honor God.

7. Fear of the Lord is that gift which helps us revere and respect God and dread to offend His Divine Majesty. It is not a slavish, cringing feeling. It is the fear of loving children of a loving Father, who dread to offend Him because He is so good. It diverts us from evil and directs us to good.

How desperately we need these gifts every day. Without them, we are like sailors tossed about in a storm, not knowing the direction, or, knowing it, not being able to follow it.

May the Holy Spirit pour His powerful gifts into the heart of every­one this Pentecost. May the Holy Spirit guide each one of us. May He guide our leaders and statesmen, our professional people, our parents, our teachers, our students. May the Divine Dove show us the way and help us to follow it. May the Spirit of God abide with us forever. Amen.
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Adapted from Talks on the Creed
by Fr. Arthur Tonne, OFM (© 1946)