Dear Friends,
A Blessed and Happy Pentecost to all! Our Easter Season comes to a triumphant close with the birthday celebration of our church! This is our Christian festival recalling the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after his crucifixion, resurrection and ascension (Acts 2) and it marks the beginning of the Christian church’s mission to the world.
Two signs of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost were the “sound from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind” (Acts 2:2) and “tongues as of fire” over the disciples heads (Acts 2:3). The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Holy Spirit would rest upon the Messiah , Emmanuel, and that he would possess wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, fear of the Lord and piety. As Jesus was blessed with these gifts by the Father, every believer is blessed with the same gifts by the Holy Spirit.
These gifts of the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples at Pentecost. Like the disciples, we as believers receive these same gifts! The meaning of these sacred gifts are the following.
Wisdom is the first gift of the Holy Spirit. It is the ability to exercise good judgement. It is grounded in common sense and comes from life experience, thoughtful reflection, and learning life’s lessons in the “School of Hard Knocks.” Wisdom distinguishes between right and wrong, seeks and upholds truth and justice, and balances personal good with common good. In the Old Testament wisdom is personified in Sophia, the mythical mother of faith, hope, and love; while in the New Testament wisdom is personified by Jesus himself.
Understanding is the gift of intelligence and enlightenment. It is the ability to perceive, comprehend, and interpret information; to have insight and discern meaning.
Counsel is good advice. It is the ability to teach and inform, guide and direct, warn and admonish, recommend and encourage. The Holy Spirit offers this special gift to parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, advisors, supervisors, and the like. Counsel is not only the ability to give good advice, but to receive it as well.
Fortitude is unwavering commitment to God or a proper course of action, and it shows itself in moral strength, courage, determination, patient endurance, long suffering, a resolute spirit, stamina, and resiliency.
Knowledge is the ability to study and learn; to acquire, retain, and master a wide spectrum of information; and to put it to good use for constructive purposes.
Fear of the Lord is awe, reverence, and respect for God. It downplays human self-sufficiency and acknowledges that everything comes from God. Consequently, those who “Fear the Lord” gladly offer praise, worship, and adoration to God alone.
Piety is the only gift not part of Isaiah’s original list. Piety is personal holiness, the ability to live a decent life, free of sin, devoted to God, and obedient to God’s will.
On this holy occasion let us reflect upon these gifts and how we embrace them as disciples, believers and stewards who bring the mission of Jesus into our world!
Tonight, beginning at 5 PM we have our parishes (Saint Catherine of Siena & the Church of the Transfiguration) Pentecost Celebration! I hope you will join the Parish Staff and myself for food, music, worship, prayer and community! We will come together in the Parish Life Center at Transfiguration.
Blessings to all,
Fr. Rob