The Gifts of the Spirit

The Gifts of the Spirit are puzzling. What do they mean? How do they help us? Even the Catechism offers us little to make sense of them. Paragraphs 1830-1832 do little more than list them.

But they are GIFTS from God, received at our confirmation. And if they're gifts, they're probably meant to help us. 

And like gifts, they probably only help us if we use them. 

So- how can we use them if we don't know them or really understand them?

Therefore, what I'd like to do is share an analogy to help you understand them.

The Gifts of the Spirit can be understood through the analogy of electricity:

1. The Grounding Wire of Holy Fear: Just as a grounding wire prevents dangerous surges by connecting electricity safely to the earth, holy fear keeps us anchored in reverence for God, protecting us from straying into spiritual peril.
2. The Conductive Wire of Piety: Piety is like a conductive wire, like copper or silver, essential for efficiently carrying the current of God’s love from the source (God) to every part of our lives and actions. It’s the channel that keeps the energy of devotion flowing smoothly and reliably.
3. The Circuit Diagram of Knowledge: Knowledge is akin to a clear circuit diagram, providing the blueprint to understand how divine truths connect and function in our lives and the world.
4. The Voltage of Fortitude: Fortitude is like voltage, the force that pushes electricity through resistance. It gives us the strength to overcome obstacles and persevere in faith despite challenges.
5. The Power Switch of Counsel: Counsel acts like a switch, guiding when and how to direct energy wisely, helping us turn toward God’s will and make prudent choices in the right moments.
6. The Light Bulb of Understanding: Picture understanding as a light bulb in an electrical circuit. When the current (faith or knowledge) flows through it, it illuminates what was dim or unclear, revealing the shape and meaning of God’s truths. It’s not just receiving energy—it transforms that energy into clear, usable light, helping us see the bigger picture.
7. The Power Source of Wisdom: Wisdom is the ultimate power source, like the generator or battery, illuminating everything with divine perspective and supplying the energy to live in harmony with God’s eternal plan.

No one will be surprised to find that the Seven Sorrows of Mary help us better understand the Gifts of the Spirit. Pope Pius VII connected the gifts of the Spirit to the Seven Sorrows in his prayer, which you can read here:

https://www.sorrow2joy.com/blog/prayer-of-pope-pius-vii

Let’s apply the analogy above to the Seven Sorrows of Mary:

At the Prophecy of Simeon, the Holy Fear of God, would have acted like a grounding wire, keeping Mary anchored in faith and humility when Simeon prophesied, “A sword will pierce through your own soul also” (Luke 2:35).

During the Flight into Egypt, Piety, as a deep devotion and love for God paired with a desire to serve Him and others, would have acted like a conductive wire, channeling Mary’s faith and love into action during this perilous journey.

During the Loss of Jesus in Jerusalem, Knowledge, as the ability to discern and understand divine truths through a God-given perspective, would have acted like a circuit diagram, helping Mary connect the dots of faith and reason amid confusion and distress.

On the Road to Calvary, Fortitude, as the courage and strength to endure trials and act boldly for what is right, would have been the driving force pushing Mary through the overwhelming pain of watching Jesus stumble toward His death.

Standing at the Foot of the Cross, Counsel, as the gift of receiving and offering wise guidance through the Holy Spirit, would have acted like a switch, directing Mary’s energy and decisions in that agonizing moment with precision and grace.

While receiving the dead body of Jesus, Understanding, as the ability to grasp the deeper meaning of faith and God’s mysteries, would have illuminated Mary’s experience as she held her crucified Son. This gift didn’t erase her grief but lit up the profound significance of what had just occurred, allowing her to see beyond the brutality and loss.

During the Burial of Jesus, Wisdom, as the ability to see and judge from God’s eternal perspective, would have enabled Mary to look beyond the immediate pain of losing her Son to the greater reality of God’s plan. While her heart was pierced with sorrow, Wisdom could have sustained her with an inner understanding that Jesus’ death wasn’t the end but a necessary step toward the Resurrection and humanity’s redemption. This gift would have been like a steady power source, illuminating the darkness of the tomb with the hope of divine purpose.

Now, let’s apply the gifts of the Spirit to our lives: 

• Holy Fear of God can keep us anchored in faith and humility.
• Piety can act like a conductive wire, channeling our faith and love into action during difficult times.
• Knowledge can act like a circuit diagram, helping us connect the dots of faith and reason amid confusion and distress.
• Fortitude can be the driving force pushing us through the storms of life.
• Counsel can serve as a power switch, directing our energy and decisions in times of trouble with precision and grace.
• Understanding can illuminate our path as we take up our cross daily, allowing us to see beyond pain and loss.
• Wisdom can enable us to look beyond the contradiction of the cross to the greater reality of God’s plan. 

I hope this is a helpful way to view the Gifts of the Spirit.