The Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit

Oh the beauty of Spring! Isn’t it wonderful to see the green grass, the buds on the trees and feel the warm breeze blowing on your face?

Speaking of a breeze, this is a good time to be thinking about the Holy Spirit. In two weeks the Church throughout the world will be celebrating Pentecost (May 11th, Mother’s Day). The experience of Pentecost comes from the Acts of the Apostles . . .

After Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead (but, before he ascended into heaven), he walked among his disciples. Knowing he would be leaving them soon, he promised to send them an Advocate—the Holy Spirit. In the beginning of Acts we read about the Coming of the Spirit. This is important to each of us because at our Baptism, and anew at our Confirmation, we, too, receive the Holy Spirit.

The seven Gifts we receive in the Holy Spirit are: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, right judgment, courage, reverence and wonder and awe. When we use these Gifts of the Spirit, they produce fruits. There are nine of these: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Take some time this week to reflect on the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit and try to use them. Each of us has the power of God working through us to bring the love of Christ to our world through the aid of these Gifts.

God bless,
Janet

Janet Cassidy is a columnist for The Catholic Times, a contributing author to The Catholic Homeschool Companion, a Catechist trainer and author of CassidyComments, an online subscription newsletter. She holds a B.A. in Religious Studies and is a happily married mother of three. Janet may be reached through her website www.janetcassidy.com or her blog.