By Brendan Walsh

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are essential in helping us establish a deeper relationship with God (#1831).

There are two main groupings of gifts:

* The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: This group focuses on the sanctification of the individual.

* The Charismatic Gifts: The second group focuses on building up the body of Christ.

The seven gifts that Catholics become familiar with when making their confirmation can be found in Isaiah 11:2-3. They are fear, piety, fortitude, knowledge, understanding, counsel, and wisdom. The primary function of these seven gifts is to purify us and help us grow in personal holiness or virtue. They also make us more receptive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, playing an essential role in preparing us to be open to the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12).

Virtue is a strength and they are gained according to Saint Thomas Aquinas by habitual practice while remaining close to God as well as the Sacraments. A virtue such as understanding will preserve us from heresy as well as from being persuaded or brainwashed by false ideologies.

Virtues that help us grow in character and strength are so needed in these times of confusion and chaos.

God does not make mistakes so when He imparts His gifts through the power of the Holy Spirit to those willing to receive and grow in them -transformation L occurs in us as well as in our families and onward to our communities as well as our nation.

‘But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound,’

Grace is a divinely given talent or blessing should we catch onto it evil does not stand a chance. The answer to our nation’s problems at present is that we are fearful to speak the truth to a lie. Growth in virtue does not fear evil; it confronts it with God’s unfailing grace. For instance, courage is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit that we received when we were confirmed in our Christian belief.

When we begin also to come close to the Blessed Mother we recognise in her all of the virtues as well as the charism of prophecy when she met Elizabeth.

“ My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour…’ This prophetic utterance that we are so familiar with is first read in the Canticle Of Hannah

‘And Hannah prayed and said:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord; my strength is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies because I rejoice in Your salvation.’ (1 Samuel 2:1-10).

The Charisms Of The Holy Spirit.

While the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit help us to grow in personal holiness and character. The Charisms of the Holy Spirit help us to build up the Church ( The People of God) as well as aid us in the powerful work of evangelisation. The proclamation of the Gospel.

Some of these extraordinary gifts include faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning spirits, the gift of tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

An understanding of each of these two categories of gifts and how they apply to our lives to the Church and the world is essential if we are to make a real impact in the world around us.

Many are walking in confusion in these times. True Christians are not confused by the tricks and snares of Satan that are so obviously working to spread fear, resentment, anger and war or evil that attempts to hold power over peoples and nations.

Jesus has already overcome evil and those who follow He designate to be ’The light of the world.’

Paul makes it clear who and where the real enemy in this world resides.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

The Blessed Mother makes this so clear through her many apparitions. ’She asks us to repent and return to Jesus, to recite and reflect with her through the rosary. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to remind us of what the Father, Son and Holy Spirit have accomplished at the price of love.

So let us return to Christ, grow in holiness and become empowered to witness and proclaim through word and deed.

There is work to be done, lads and lassies. Blessings