The gifts of the Holy Spirit are the graces we need to reflect God’s love for the world

Who doesn’t like receiving gifts? Of course, the best gifts are not just those we want and need but more importantly those that show the love, concern and thoughtfulness of the giver. A gift is a constant reminder of the relationship we enjoy. Christians believe in a God who continually bestows spiritual gifts on us.

In this, Christianity’s understanding of God differs substantially from that of other religions. Muslims emphasize submission to the will of Allah; Jews bear the awesome burden of keeping the commandments entrusted to God’s Chosen People; Buddhists seek Enlightenment by acknowledging their own Buddha nature; and Hindus live out their state in life according to the law of karma—as you sow so shall you reap—in expectation of countless reincarnations until they get things right and are freed from the cycle of rebirths.

Christians believe not only in a God who created humans “in the divine image” but also in a God who became human like us in all things but sin. But wait, there’s more! Not only did God participate in human life through Jesus, but we get to participate in God’s life through the Holy Spirit. God remains intimately involved in our life and gives us the graces we need to live full, productive and meaningful lives. Our God does not remain in a far distant heaven, passively waiting for us to figure out just which prayers or rituals will earn us a hearing. On the contrary, we believe in an extremely interactive God, who continues to participate in our lives and calls us to holiness by living our faith in community.

Christianity is by definition a communal religion. We need neighbors to love. We need spiritual brothers and sisters with whom to pray “Our Father…” Our sacraments involve the community in every stage of human life, from birth to reconciliation to marriage or Holy Orders, to death and to the communal meal par excellence: the Eucharist. The sacraments in turn reinforce the reality that we are more than just a community of believers worshipping God; we are nothing less than the Body of Christ.

Paradoxically, this communal dimension of Christianity as the Body of Christ not only requires individual sanctification, but demands it. That is, far from absolving people of their personal responsibility to live according to Gospel standards, the Body of Christ depends on the spiritual health and maturity of all its members if it is to thrive and be a more perfect reflection of Christ’s love for the world.

Living up to so awesome an obligation remains the lifelong struggle of Christians. Indeed, in the face of so daunting a challenge, who wouldn’t despair and ask, “Who, Lord, can then be saved?” Scripture reminds us human power alone is insufficient, but “with God all things are possible.” God doesn’t just identify with us and call us to become more Christ like in our attitudes and conduct. God remains with us and gives us the very graces, or spiritual gifts, we need to attain our goal. An interactive God! Traditionally we know these as the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord. We receive all these gifts at baptism and they are strengthened at confirmation. Seven is the biblical number signifying perfection or completion. That is, from the moment we are reborn in the waters of baptism we receive all the spiritual tools necessary to live lives of holiness in community and become, in effect, saints. This is the vocation we all share, no matter what our station in life.

In the coming issues of MARYKNOLL we will unwrap, as it were, these seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, to see what exactly God is giving us and how best to use these gifts in today’s world. Of course, as with material gifts, the greatest thanks we can offer the giver is enjoying all these gifts to the fullest.