DA TUIS FIDELIBUS, IN TE CONFIDENTIBUS, SACRUM SEPTENARIUM

This line is from the Pentecost Sequence, Veni, Sancte Spiritus. The translation is:

“Give to your faithful ones, trusting in you, your sacred seven-fold gift.”

From the Catechism (ancient and modern) we know the aspects of that Gift which we celebrate in a special way both on this Solemnity and during the Sacrament of Confirmation: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. Or, in the more modern translation: Wisdom, Understanding, Right Judgment, Courage, Knowledge, Reverence, and Wonder & Awe. But what do these gifts really signify and convey? Perhaps one way of summarizing them is as follows.

Knowledge is literally that: an intellectual mastery of what the Church teaches and believes.

Understanding is the grasp of what the teachings actually mean and why they are important.

Wisdom tells us when a given application of the teachings in our life is appropriate and in order.

Counsel/Right Judgment allows us to use the above three gifts on behalf of others in need—to know when to speak or not speak, to do or not do.

Fear of the Lord/Wonder and Awe is the appropriate attitude we have toward God—the Supreme Being, perfect and eternal Love, in the communion of life which is Trinity, who chooses to encounter us—we are in awe at the Reality; we are in wonder at the Love: for us creatures.

Piety/Reverence is the prayerful spirit of thankfulness engendered as a result of the divine encounter.

Fortitude/Courage is the internal grace to use these other gifts even when doing so is unpopular and makes us stand out in ways that we would not have chosen on our own. The Greek word in the New Testament that best describes this is parrêsia, which is translated “boldness,” especially in speaking out (about Christ, of course).

As central as these gifts all are, it strikes me that the last of them is the most crucial for us today, for our faith-walk. Without the courage to live boldly (never mind about speaking, right here) our Faith, then all the piety, knowledge, understanding and so on will be a “private” blessing that doesn’t further the Kingdom. And I suggest strongly that the only purpose for the outpouring of the Spirit is precisely this furthering, this Kingdom-building.

The commercial for Lowe’s says, “Let’s build something—together.” Let’s build a corner of the Kingdom together—in the boldness of the Holy Spirit!

REMINDER: Please join us for solemn Evening Prayer at 6:00pm tonight, followed by the parish meal and tribute for Deacon Steve Seymour as he leaves to take on new responsibilities for the Archdiocese.