From the Desk of Deacon Dave, O.F.S.

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

May our Risen Lord give you His peace!

This weekend the Easter Season reaches its dramatic climax as we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost, when the glorified and ascended Lord Jesus fulfills His promise of sending the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, upon our Blessed Mother Mary, the Apostles and the early Church. Here in Kirksville we recalled this event just a few weeks ago when Bishop McKnight conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation upon 24 young members of our parish. In his homily the Bishop focused on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and it might be beneficial for us to do the same today.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and descriptions outlined by St. Thomas Aquinas in his Summa Theologica (look, a Franciscan citing a Dominican!), the seven gifts are:
 
· Wisdom: We see God at work in our lives and in the world. For the wise, the wonders of nature, historical events, and the ups and downs of life take on deeper meaning. We see God as our Father, appreciate the dignity of others, and find God in all things.
 
· Understanding: In understanding, we comprehend how we need to live as followers of Christ. A person with understanding is not confused by the conflicting messages in our culture about the right way to live. The gift of understanding perfects a person's speculative reason in the apprehension of truth. It is the gift whereby self-evident principles are known.
 
· Counsel (Right Judgment): With the gift of counsel/right judgment, we know the difference between right and wrong, and we choose to do what is right. A person with right judgment avoids sin and lives out the values taught by Jesus.
 
· Fortitude (Courage): With the gift of fortitude/courage, we overcome our fear and are willing to take risks as a follower of Jesus Christ. A person with courage is willing to stand up for what is right in the sight of God, even if it means accepting rejection, verbal abuse, or physical harm. The gift of courage allows people the firmness of mind that is required both in doing good and in enduring evil.
 
· Knowledge: With the gift of knowledge, we understand the meaning of God. The gift of knowledge is more than an accumulation of facts.
 
· Piety (Reverence): With the gift of reverence, sometimes called piety, we have a deep sense of respect for God and the Church. A person with reverence recognizes our total reliance on God and comes before God with humility, trust, and love. Piety is the gift whereby, at the Holy Spirit's instigation, we pay worship and duty to God as our Father.
 
· Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe): With the gift of fear of the Lord we are aware of the glory and majesty of God. A person with wonder and awe knows that God is the perfection of all we desire: perfect knowledge, perfect goodness, perfect power, and perfect love. This gift is described by Aquinas as a fear of separating oneself from God. He describes the gift as a "filial fear," like a child's fear of offending one’s parent, rather than a "servile fear," that is, a fear of punishment. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 1:7) because it puts our mindset in correct location with respect to God: we are the finite, dependent creatures, and He is the infinite, all-powerful Creator.

This Pentecost may we all seek to embrace and live with renewed vigor the gifts of the Holy Spirit!

With a brother’s love in the Lord and Mary Immaculate,
Deacon Dave, O.F.S.                                                                                         T    In Persona Christi Servi