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Pathways to Discipleship: Knowing Jesus

Session 6: Gifts of the Holy Spirit

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Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

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The last habit of the 12 Habits of a Disciple:

Opens oneself to the promptings of the

Holy Spirit, even beyond one’s comfort zone.

Learn how the Gifts of the Holy Spirit assist us in knowing, loving, and serving God and our neighbor in imitation of Jesus.
Allow the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to guide us in knowing and living God’s will

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“And I will ask the Father,

and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”

(Jn 14:16-17)

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“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.” (Jn 14:26)

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THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. They belong in their fullness to Christ, Son of David. They complete and perfect the virtues of those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine inspirations.” CCC 1831

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JESUS REVEALS HOW TO USE THE GIFTS

The prophetic gifts are wisdom and understanding; they help us to see as God sees and witness the eternal truths to the world.

The example of Peter in Matthew 16…

Christ demonstrates to us how to use these gifts.

Consider Peter when Jesus asks:

“‘ But who do you say that I am?’” Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.’”

But as we read on, Jesus warns his apostles of what is to come for him.

“And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’”

Jesus is teaching Peter the difference between God’s wisdom and human wisdom and understanding.

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JESUS REVEALS HOW TO USE THE GIFTS

The kingly gifts are counsel (making right choices) and fortitude (the strength to stand firm in the truth); they help us build the kingdom of truth, love, and peace.

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JESUS REVEALS HOW TO USE THE GIFTS

The priestly gifts are knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord; these help us to know God, worship reverently and glorify God with wonder and awe.

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Take a moment to reflect on the video. What is your response to the testimony? Share your thoughts with the group.
What are some examples of how the Holy Spirit is present and active in lives of disciples? Reflect on any instances or “coincidences” in your life that may have been actions of the Holy Spirit?
What are ways we can be like Peter, thinking both from a worldly perspective and godly perspective, seemingly at the same time? (pg 86-87)
Which Gifts of the Holy Spirit do you most desire in your life currently, and why?

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ONGOING OPENNESS TO THE GIFTS

We pray for the grace to be like Jesus
We accept the gifts and use them
We cooperate with these gifts through the Sacraments and through prayer

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HOLY DECISION-MAKING

Seek only God’s will
Notice opened and closed doors
Read Scripture and the Catechism
Seek wise counsel
Invoke the Holy Spirit and Jesus
Which choice brings peace and joy??

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THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal 5:22-23).

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ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

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(1224-1274)

Studied and wrote extensively on our faith
His Summa Theologiae treats the whole of Catholic theology
Many writings on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

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How does your relationship with the Holy Spirit compare with your relationship with God the Father and Jesus? How do you see each of them active in your life?
How have you experienced or witnessed the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, fear of the Lord)?
What fruit of the Holy Spirit did you experience or witness as a result of this situation?
Have others affirmed a gift in you? Do you see this as a “Gift of the Holy Spirit”? How might you share this gift with others?

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PRACTICE TOGETHER

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Practice holy decision-making in your groups.

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DISCIPLESHIP NEXT STEP

Put into practice holy decision-making with the

Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Ask God to invite you into his life.
Pray for an increase in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit you need the most.
Seek the guidance of a spiritual director for major decisions.
Be thankful and grateful for the fruits that result from your discernment of the will of God in your life.
Talk to God about it this week in your prayer time.

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REMINDERS FOR NEXT WEEK

No reading assignment for next week, but please come to our final Milestone session.
Thank you to those who brought snacks!

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O God, all powerful, Who knowest all things, Who hadst neither beginning nor end, Who dost give, preserve, and reward all virtues; deign to make me steadfast on the solid foundation of faith, to protect me with the impregnable shield of hope, and to adorn me with the wedding garment of charity. Give me justice, to submit to Thee; prudence, to avoid the snares of the enemy;

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temperance, to keep the just medium; fortitude, to bear adversities with patience. Plant in me, O Lord, all virtues: that I may be devoted to divine things, provident in human affairs, and troublesome to no one in bodily cares. Deign to direct my soul to a good life: that what I do may be pleasing to Thee, meritorious for myself, and edifying to my neighbor.

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Grant that I may never desire to do what is foolish, and that I may never be discouraged by what is distasteful; that I may never begin my works before the proper time, nor abandon them before they are completed. Amen.

St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us.