May 30, 2020 | Archives
“The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.” Ps 37:30-3.
“O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all,” Ps 104:24.
“Wisdom is brilliant, she never fades. By those who love her, she is readily seen, by those who seek her, she is readily found.” Wisdom 6:12.
“Wisdom begins with the sincere desire for instruction.” Wisdom 6:17.
“The Lord himself created wisdom; he saw her and apportioned her, he poured her out upon all his works. He supplied her to those who love him.” Sirach 1:9-10.
“I sought wisdom openly in my prayer. I inclined my ear a little and received her, and I found for myself much instruction. I made progress therein; to him who gives me wisdom I will give glory. For I resolved to live according to wisdom.” Sirach 51:13-18.
“He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and strength.” Dan 2:21-22.
“To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom.” 1 Cor 12:8
“We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work.” Col 1:9-10.
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits.” James 3:17-18.
“So then, my friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace. Think of our Lord’s patience as your opportunity to be saved; our brother Paul, who is so dear to us, told you this when he wrote to you with the wisdom that is his special gift,”
2 Peter 3: 14-15.
“The marvelous condensation of eternal wisdom is plain to be seen that we may know the ineffable loving-kindness of God and see for ourselves how far God has gone in adapting language with thoughtful concern for our nature.” Vatican II, Divine Revelation, 13.
The Holy Spirit will indicate the means of spiritual renewal to you according to the wisdom of those whom he made guardians to feed the Church of the Lord.” Pope Paul VI, 1975.
“In God, power, essence, will, intellect, wisdom and justice are all identical,” CCC 271.
“We participate, in the wisdom and goodness of the creator who gives us mastery over acts and the ability to govern with a view to the true and the good.” CCC 1954.
“More positively, growth in holiness leads to wisdom. Although many cultures revere older people for their wisdom, wisdom does not come automatically with age. The experiences of a lifetime have sown the seeds, but they must be cultivated by prayer and reflection on those experiences in light of the Gospel. With God’s grace, as one matures, one arrives at wisdom: the realization that we come from God and are going to God. The wise person is always growing, always learning. The wise person is always connecting the past with the future. Elders share their stories, and in doing so, pass on what they have learned to future generations, through both words and example. Their wisdom does not die with them but guides and enriches generations to come.” USCCB, The Blessings of Age.
Wisdom
Wisdom is a spiritual gift from God and is the result of a life lived through the sacraments and prayer.
Human wisdom reflects God’s wisdom and the sharing of God’s life and intentions with others.
Wisdom includes education, reflection and maturity in faith. Personal holiness is the root of wisdom and comes from a lifetime of faith, prayer and openness to the dictates of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom is a life long learning experience as well as a willingness to share the faith with others.
Questions to share
- Which passage touches you or burns in your heart the most? Why?
- How have you exercised this gift in the past?
- How are you now exercising this gift in ministry?
- Do you see new ways you can exercise this ministry in the future?
May 30, 2020 | Archives
Jesus said, to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Mt 19:21.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Mt 5:3.
“If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have no love, I gain nothing.”
1 Cor 13:3.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.” 2 Cor 8:9.
“Voluntary Poverty, in the footsteps if Christ, is a symbol of Christ which is much esteemed, especially nowadays. It allows people to share in the poverty of Christ who for our sake became poor, though he was rich, so that we might become rich through his poverty, 2 Cor 8-9, Mt 8:20.” Renewal of Religious Life, 13.
“Poverty really lived by pooling goods, including pay, will testify to the spiritual communion uniting you: it will be a living call to all the rich and will also bring relief to your needy brothers and sisters. Ibid, 21.
“In prayer, too, we come to see the stark reality of our own poverty, the absolute need we have for a savior. We discover to a more profound degree the many ways in which we ourselves are poor and needy, and thus we begin to feel an increasing solidarity with all the poor. In the end, we more fully than ever before know that the Good News for the poor is Good News for ourselves as well.” Ibid.
The Church’s love for the poor, is a part of her constant tradition.This love is inspired by the Gospel of the Beatitudes, the poverty of Jesus, and his concern for the poor. Love for the poor is even one of the motives for the duty of working so as to ’be able to give to those in need.’ It extends not only to material poverty but also to the many forms of cultural and religious poverty.” CCC 2444.
“Abandonment to the providence of the Father in heaven frees us from anxiety about tomorrow. Trust in God is a preparation for the blessedness of the poor.They shall see God.” CCC 2547.
“The poor, in varied states of affliction, are the oppressed, those on the margin of society, the elderly, the sick, the young, any and all who are considered and treated as “the least”. The option for the poor is inherent in the very structure of love lived in Christ. All of Christ’s disciples are therefore held to this option; but those who wish to follow the Lord more closely, imitating his attitudes, cannot but feel involved in a very special way. The sincerity of their response to Christ’s love will lead them to live a life of poverty and to embrace the cause of the poor.” Pope John Paul II, Consecrated Life, 1996.
“God is the true wealth of the human heart. Precisely for this reason evangelical poverty forcefully challenges the idolatry of money, making a prophetic appeal as it were to society, which in so many parts of the developed world risks losing the sense of proportion and the very meaning of things. Thus, today more than in other ages, the call of evangelical poverty is being felt also among those who are aware of the scarcity of the planet’s resources and who invoke respect for and the conservation of creation by reducing consumption, by living more simply and by placing a necessary brake on their own desires.” Ibid.
“The saying of St Therese of Lisieux about one day standing before God with empty hands, and holding them open to him describes the spirit of these poor ones of God: they come with empty hands, not with hands that grasp and clutch, but with hands that open and give and thus are ready to receive from God’s bountiful goodness.” Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth.
Voluntary Poverty
Voluntary poverty is a spiritual gift that copies the very poverty of Jesus who chose to be born in a poor family and to live a life of dependency on the giving of others. Love for the poor and a willingness to share one’s goods with them reflects the spirituality of detachment from material things and an attraction to pooling goods with those who need them more. Both laity and religious reflect this gift and it is supported by the many ministries of giving to those less fortunate both at home and abroad. To choose poverty so that others may live and thrive, militates against the secular value that more is better and embraces the truth that all we have is gift and needs to be shared with those who have less.
Questions to share
- Which passage touches you or burns in your heart the most? Why?
- How have you exercised this gift in the past?
- How are you now exercising this gift in ministry?
- Do you see new ways you can exercise this ministry in the future?
May 30, 2020 | Archives
“Human genius has with God’s help procured marvelous technical inventions… The Church is particularly interested in those who directly touch our spirit and open new avenues of easy communication to all.” Pope Paul VI, Among the Marvellous Things, 1963.
“Man’s genius has with God’s help produced marvelous technical inventions from creation, especially in our times. The Church, our mother, is particularly interested in those which directly touch man’s spirit and which have opened up new avenues of easy communication of all kinds of news, of ideas and orientations,” Ibid.
“The scientific mentality has wrought a change in the cultural sphere and on habits of thought, and the progress of technology is now reshaping the face of the earth.” Vatican II The Church in the Modern World, 5.
“The Church sees the media as “gifts of God,” to unite all and to cooperate in the plan of salvation… The deeper understanding based on the teaching and spirit of the Second Vatican Council will now guide Christians in their attitudes to media and will make them the more eager to commit themselves to the field.“ Pontifical Commission on Communication, 1971.
“In communications media, the Church finds a precious aid for spreading the Gospel and religious values, for promoting dialogue.” Ibid,
“The essential meaning of their ‘kingship’ and ‘dominion‘ of people over the visible world, which the Creator himself gave them for their task, consists in the priority of ethics over technology, in the primacy of the person over things, and in the superiority of spirit over matter.” Pope John Paul II, 1979.
“Technology is a precious resource when placed at the service of man and promotes human integral development for the benefit of all,” CCC 2293.
“Today’s young people, especially, know that the progress of science and technology can produce not only new material goods but also a wider sharing in knowledge. The extraordinary progress made in the field of information and data processing, for instance, will increase man’s creative capacity and provide access to the intellectual and cultural riches of other peoples. New communications techniques will encourage greater participation in events and a wider exchange of ideas.” Pope John Paul II, God’s Mercy,
“The world is being reshaped by technology. Not only are computers transforming the way we live and work, they enable many adults to pursue lifelong learning to keep pace with the rapidly changing workplace. Communication technology has also made the world smaller through e-mail, global networks, and increased contacts with other cultures. This globalization of society increases our awareness of and interdependence with other peoples and societies.” USCCB Our Hearts Were Burning, 27.
“Do not be afraid of new technologies! These rank among the marvelous things which God has placed at our disposal to discover and to make known the truth.”
Pope John Paul II, Jan, 2005.
“New technologies, create further opportunities for communication understood as a service to the pastoral government and organization of the different tasks of the Christian community.” “Communication media (is) not only to make known information but to promote fruitful cooperation.” Pope Benedict XVI, 2006.
Technology
This is the newest of spiritual gifts and Pope Paul VI invited Catholics to embrace the gifts and advances of technology in the 1960’s. Technology as a spiritual entity explores all the channels for communication and service that come from computers and other electronic devices. Education in the technology field has exploded in the last 50 years and many Catholics use technology to spread the faith and religious values of the Church around the world. Rather than frustration, those with technological skills enjoy the challenge and the inventiveness of learning new ways and means to communicate the faith. Their faith is energized by learning and sharing what they have learned from machines. The ethics of their faith informs the content of their information and sharing.
Questions to share
- Which passage touches you or burns in your heart the most? Why?
- How have you exercised this gift in the past?
- How are you now exercising this gift in ministry?
- Do you see new ways you can exercise this ministry in the future?
May 30, 2020 | Archives
“Make me know thy ways, O Lord, teach me thy path. Lead me in thy truth and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation.” Ps 25:24-25
“I will instruct you and teach you they way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Ps 32:8.
“They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.”
Ezek 44:23.
“They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God.” Lk 20:21.
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” Jn 3:2.
“Every day in the temple and at home thy did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” Acts 5:42.
”If you are sure you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-you then who teach others, will you not teach yourself?” Rom 2:19-21
“All have the right to a Christian education, to develop the maturity of the human person. All the baptized as they are gradually introduced to a knowledge of the mystery of salvation become daily more appreciative of the gift of faith which they have received. Teachers possessed by charity, “inspired by an apostolic spirit, should bear testimony by their lives and their teaching to the one Teacher, who is Christ.” Vatican II on Christian Education, 2.
“The sacred synod furthermore affirms its deep gratitude to those priests, religious, nuns and laity who in a spirit of evangelical dedication have devoted themselves to the all important work of education and schools of all kinds and grades. It exhorts them to persevere generously in the work they have undertaken, and to strive so toexcel in inspiriting their pupils with the spirit of Christ, in their mastery of the art of teaching, and in their zeal for learning that they may not only promote the internal renewal of the Church but also maintain and augment its benefical presence in the world today. Ibid.
In the last fifteen years many of the lay faithful have moved beyond the learning laboratories of ordinary life to more systematic education in theology, Scripture, spiritual life, religious studies, and spiritual direction. This development has been beneficial to growing numbers of lay women and men who, in turn, have helped the whole Church understand and communicate the truths of our faith in new ways. US Bishops Called and Gifted?
We urge that theological education and formation be extended to more lay persons. In Strengthening the Bonds of Peace, we specifically encouraged women to pursue studies in Scripture, theology, and canon law. Now we similarly encourage lay men, so that the Church—and they themselves—may benefit from these scholarly efforts. Innovative ways must be found to bring the best of the Catholic intellectual and spiritual tradition to more laity. Print and electronic media, computer networks, and mentoring programs offer exciting possibilities. The Church needs a well-educated, inquiring, and vocal laity if the new evangelization is to achieve its full potential. US Bishops, Called & Gifted.
“Always allow yourselves to be surprised by God. May the Spirit, the interior Teacher, strengthen you in faith and make you even more conformed to Christ.” Pope John Paul II, April, 1998.
Teachers
Teachers are called by God to share their faith and education with others. This spiritual gift is reflected not only in their studies, but in their personal spiritual experiences and faith journey.
Teachers enjoy the challenge of bringing others to a deeper faith and a more mature faith experience. They are constantly learning and receive more from learning than those they teach. They study their faith and are excited by presenting it in new and creative ways. They see those they teach not only as learners, but as fellow teachers. The Holy Spirit teaches them daily what they need to share their faith and their faith is not a head knowledge only, rather it is a whole lived faith experience.
Questions to share
- Which passage touches you or burns in your heart the most? Why?
- How have you exercised this gift in the past?
- How are you now exercising this gift in ministry?
- Do you see new ways you can exercise this ministry in the future?
May 30, 2020 | Archives
“He received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language served him.”Dan 7:14.
Jesus said, “I am among you as one who serves.” Lk 22:27.
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” Mt 6:24
“The greatest among you must be your servant.” Mt 23:11.
“Whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the servant of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life for the ransom for many.” Mk 10:43-45.
“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come & serve them.” Lk 12:37.
“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son.” Rom 1:9.
“We serve in the new life of the Spirit.” Rom 7:6.
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them; if service, in our serving,”
Rom 12 :6-7.
“Through love be servants of one another.” Gal 5:13.
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40; cf. 25:45). The awareness of communion with Christ and with our brothers and sisters, for its part the fruit of conversion, leads to the service of our neighbors in all their needs, material and spiritual, since the face of Christ shines forth in every human being. “Solidarity is thus the fruit of the communion.” Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia in America, 1997, 52.
“I wish all the more to encourage the faithful to take up, with commitment and love of the Lord, this service to the Church, generously offering their time and their talents. Bishops for their part should be concerned that catechists receive appropriate formation.” Ibid
“To grow in discipleship throughout life, all believers need and are called to build vibrant parish and diocesan communities of faith and service.” USCCB, Burning Hearts, 1999.
“Every believer is called to serve “the least of these,” to “hunger and thirst for justice,” to be a “peacemaker.” USCCB, Pastoral Reflection for Lay Discipleship for Justice.
“Service within the Church should form and strengthen believers for their mission in the world. With this pastoral statement we are addressing in a special way the demands of discipleship.” Ibid.
All human beings have unique talents, gifts from God that we are called to develop and share. We should celebrate this diversity. People who use their skills and expertise for the common good, the service of others, and the protection of creation, are good stewards of the gifts they have been given. When we labor with honesty, serve those in need, work for justice and contribute to charity, we use our talents to show our love–and God’s love–for our brothers and sisters.
“ Love is therefore the service that the Church carries out in order to attend constantly to human sufferings and needs, including material needs. And this is the aspect, this service of charity.” Pope Benedict XVI, God is Love.
Service
Those who possess the gift of service work on fulfilling the spiritual, financial, material or personal needs of others. They serve out of their strong faith and love based spirituality nourished by Mass and the sacraments. Communion and communication with others is based on a sensitivity to their needs and situations. Jesus is their example and inspiration, knowing Him personally allows them to serve their brothers and sisters, young and old with the love of Jesus. They are disciples of Jesus motivated by his love and concern for the rich and poor, the close and those who live far away.
Serving others is not a burden, it is a delight.
Questions to share
- Which passage touches you or burns in your heart the most? Why?
- How have you exercised this gift in the past?
- How are you now exercising this gift in ministry?
- Do you see new ways you can exercise this ministry in the future?
