Come Holy Spirit Series: Week 5 Part B Fruit of Patience.

 Come Holy Spirit Series.

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Come Holy Spirit – Week 5: The Fruit of the Spirit – Patience

“But the fruit of the Spirit is… patience…” – Galatians 5:22

Last week we explored peace as a fruit of the Spirit. This week, we shift to a fruit that often stretches us the most: patience. It's the quiet strength that helps us endure with grace, wait with trust, and love without rushing.

 

What is Patience?

Patience is more than simply waiting. It’s the ability to remain calm and faithful in the face of delay, suffering, or difficulty. It’s a peaceful endurance that holds steady when things don’t go according to our timeline. In the Latin tradition, the word patientia is related to pati – to suffer or endure.

Patience is a quiet fruit, but a strong one. It gives us the inner strength to pause rather than react, to forgive repeatedly, and to trust that God's timing is perfect—even when it doesn’t feel like it.

 

Scripture Reflection

• “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you…” – 2 Peter 3:9
• “Love is patient, love is kind…” – 1 Corinthians 13:4
• “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.” – James 5:7

These verses remind us that God is patient with us. When we live in the Spirit, we begin to reflect that same patience in our relationships with others—and with ourselves.

 

How Patience Connects with the Gifts of the Spirit

Patience is strengthened by the gifts of fortitude, wisdom, and understanding. Fortitude gives us the strength to endure trials. Wisdom reminds us to look at time and suffering through God's eyes. Understanding helps us accept what we cannot change with humility and trust.

 

Practicing Patience in Daily Life

Here are some ways to cultivate patience:

• Pause and Breathe: When you feel frustration rising, take a moment to breathe. Let the Spirit create space between impulse and response. Eg When we are in traffic and we need to wait to turn right, we can turn our heart to God and offer a prayer of blessing for all those who pass us on the road. This Pausing and breathing whilst offering a prayer for other road users helps us to become more patient as we wait our turn to turn right. 
• Surrender Control: Practice saying, “Not my timing, Lord, but Yours.”
• Extend Grace: Be patient with those who test you. Choose compassion instead of irritation.
• Be Gentle with Yourself: We all need patience with our own failings and limitations. Let the Spirit remind you that we are a work in progress.
• Wait in Hope: When we are waiting—for healing, for answers, for change—turn our waiting into prayer and hope, not worry or despair.

 

Opportunity to Journal:

• In what situations do I find it easiest to be patient? Do I thank God for this fruit?
• Where do I struggle with impatience most—people, circumstances, or myself?
• How might the Holy Spirit be inviting me to grow in patience right now?
• Can I see how patience is already bearing fruit in my life?
• Which gift of the Spirit helps me most when I need patience?

 

A Closing Thought:

Patience may not feel exciting, but it is deeply holy. In a world that rushes and demands instant everything, patience is a powerful witness. It tells the world that we trust in God's timing, not our own. It is  not passive—it is hopeful, faithful endurance.

Come, Holy Spirit, grow in me the fruit of patience. 

Teach me to wait with trust, to bear trials with peace, 

and to walk with quiet strength through all seasons of life. Amen.

 

Come Holy Spirit Series: Week 4 Part B Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

 Come Holy Spirit

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Week 4: The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

“The fruit of the Spirit is… peace…” — Galatians 5:22

 

Introduction: A Stillness That Surpasses Understanding

Peace is often misunderstood as the absence of noise, conflict, or trouble. But the peace of the Holy Spirit goes far beyond that. It is a deep, unshakable stillness, even in the midst of storms. It’s the peace Jesus offered when He said, “My peace I give you” (John 14:27)—not the fragile peace of the world, but a peace rooted in trust, surrender, and the indwelling presence of God.

Peace is the quiet confidence that God is here, and all will be well.

 

What Does Scripture Say?

• John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.”
• Philippians 4:7 – “Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
• Isaiah 26:3 – “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

Peace is God’s gift to those who rest their lives in Him, even when life feels uncertain.

 

What Does the Church Say?

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2304):

“Respect for and development of human life require peace. Peace is not merely the absence of war… Peace is the work of justice and the effect of charity.”

And from the Compendium (480):

“Peace is the tranquillity of order, the work of justice and the effect of charity.”

This reminds us that true peace isn't passive—it’s active. It is born when our hearts are aligned with God’s justice and filled with divine love. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit because it flows naturally from a heart in communion with Him.

How Does Peace Connect with the Gifts of the Spirit?

• Wisdom leads us to trust in God’s plan and surrender to His timing.
• Understanding helps us see the bigger picture when we feel anxious or afraid.
• Counsel guides us toward decisions that promote peace in our relationships and communities.

When the gifts are at work, peace is the fruit that blossoms gently, often without our realizing it. Others may notice the calm, grounded way we carry ourselves—even when life is difficult.

 

Practicing the Fruit of Peace

Growing in peace means becoming a person of quiet trust, deep prayer, and gentle presence. Here are ways to practice peace this week:

• Create moments of silence: Even five minutes of silence with the Holy Spirit can reset your heart. Peace begins in stillness.
• Pray slowly with Scripture: Let a short verse (like John 14:27) become your anchor throughout the day. Return to it often.
• Breathe deeply, speak gently: Let your words be wrapped in calm. Even under stress, choose words that build bridges.
• Seek reconciliation: Is there someone you’re out of step with? Take a step toward healing, even if it’s a small gesture.
• Trust God with what you cannot control: Write down your worries, then place them—symbolically or literally—into God’s hands.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” — Colossians 3:15

 

Journal Opportunity: Reflecting on Peace

1. What does peace feel like to me? When have I felt closest to this kind of peace?
2. Where in my life do I long for greater peace—externally or within?
3. What robs me of peace most often?
4. How can I become a more peaceful presence in my home, work, or parish?
5. How might the Holy Spirit be inviting me to receive and share peace today?

 

Closing Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, Giver of Peace,
calm my anxious thoughts.
Teach me the kind of peace that doesn’t depend on circumstances.
Let my life reflect Your stillness, Your serenity, Your trust.
When my heart is troubled, remind me that You are near.
Make me a bearer of peace in a world that so desperately needs it.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Come Holy Spirit Series: Week 3 Part B Fruit of the Spirit: Joy

 Come Holy Spirit Series.

Come Holy Spirit

Week 3: The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy

“The fruit of the Spirit is… joy…” — Galatians 5:22

 

Introduction: Joy Beyond Circumstance

When we think of joy, we often think of happiness, laughter, or cheerful moments. But the joy the Holy Spirit brings is much deeper—a steady, spiritual gladness rooted not in what’s happening to us but in Who is living within us.

Joy is not the absence of suffering—it is the presence of God.

The fruit of joy grows in the soul that trusts, surrenders, and hopes—even in darkness. It is a sign that the Holy Spirit is quietly active, nourishing the heart with a peace that surpasses understanding.

 

What Does Scripture Say?

• Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!”
• Nehemiah 8:10 – “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
• Romans 12:12 – “Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.”

Scripture teaches that joy is both a command and a gift. It is God’s strength pulsing through us—especially in times of trial.

 

What Does the Church Say?

From the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (384):

“The fruits of the Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory.”

Joy is not a surface reaction—it is a foretaste of heaven. In Catholic teaching, joy is closely tied to the virtue of hope and the grace of gratitude.

From the Catechism (CCC 1829), we are reminded:

“The fruits of charity are joy, peace, and mercy...”

That is, true joy flows from love—and bears peace in its wake.

 

How Does Joy Connect with the Gifts of the Spirit?

• Wisdom helps us to rejoice in God’s goodness beyond life’s circumstances.
• Understanding allows us to see God's hand even in confusion or grief.
• Fortitude gives us the strength to carry joy into painful situations, not as denial, but as a quiet light.

Joy and sorrow can coexist—but joy never leaves when it comes from the Holy Spirit. It is steady, rooted, and quietly radiant.

 

Practicing the Fruit of Joy

To grow in joy is to choose to live in the awareness of God’s presence and faithfulness. Here are some tangible ways to practice this fruit:

• Start a gratitude rhythm: Each morning or evening, name three small blessings—sunlight on your window, a kind word, a moment of rest.
• Smile with intention: Offer a genuine smile to someone today—not because everything is perfect, but because God is present.
• Surrender expectations: Joy grows when we let go of needing life to look a certain way and trust God with how it actually unfolds.
• Celebrate small victories: Did you finish something hard? Make it through a tough day? Give thanks. Joy is found in acknowledging progress, not perfection.
• Find joy in service: Offer your time or talents quietly for the good of another—joy often blooms in acts of hidden love.

“Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.” — Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

 

Journal Opportunity: Reflecting on Joy

1. What brings me joy at this stage of my life?
2. When was the last time I felt deeply joyful? What made it so?
3. What is robbing me of joy right now—and what might God be saying in that place?
4. How can I welcome joy in ordinary tasks this week?
5. Where is the Holy Spirit inviting me to rejoice—even if circumstances haven’t changed?

Closing Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit,
awaken joy within me.
Remind me that my joy is not tied to outcomes, but to your presence.
When I feel discouraged, lift my heart.
When I forget your goodness, gently remind me again.
Teach me to rejoice always—not just in moments of gladness, but even in moments of trust.
Let my life reflect the joy that comes from walking with you. Amen.

 

Come Holy Spirit Series: Week 2 Part B: The Fruit of Love

Come Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit.

Week 2: The Fruit of the Spirit is Love

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” — Galatians 5:22

Perhaps when you received the sacrament of Confirmation, you were like me and were able to recite all the gifts of the Spirit and perhaps even the fruits of the Spirit.  However, as the years pass the memory fades and the way to connect the fruits of the Spirit with the gifts of the Spirit has disappeared. 

Perhaps, like me, you have not given the fruits of the Spirit much thought at all.   This is my motivation for writing this series.  I decided to imagine I had never been confirmed before and learn what I can about the gifts and the fruits of the Spirit as if I had never heard of them before. I desire to have a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit.

The Gift of Love

The Church has always held love (caritas) as the highest of the virtues and the very heartbeat of the Christian life. It is not a fruit we manufacture on our own—it is the natural outpouring of the Holy Spirit at work within us. Love is first in the list of the fruits of the Spirit because all the others flow from it.

As we begin this 12-week journey into the fruits of the Spirit, we start with love—not simply emotion, but divine action; not sentimentality, but sacrificial and faithful presence.

What Does Scripture Say?

• 1 Corinthians 13: “Love is patient, love is kind…” This passage remains the clearest portrait of love lived in the Spirit.
  
  
• Romans 5:5: “The love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
  
  
• John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give you: love one another as I have loved you.”

In these verses, we see that love is not only a commandment but a gift, presence, and proof of the Spirit’s indwelling.

What Does the Church Say?

The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (383–385) affirms that the fruits of the Spirit are “perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory.”

In paragraph 1822 of the full Catechism:

“Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for His own sake, and our neighbour as ourselves for the love of God.”

When we speak of love as a fruit, it is deeply theological—it connects heaven and earth in us.

 How Does Love Connect with the Gifts of the Spirit?

• Wisdom allows us to see with God’s eyes—and love with God’s heart.
• Piety gives us the tenderness of devotion toward God and others.
• Counsel helps us act in love when we are unsure.
• Fortitude gives us the strength to love when it is difficult.

Love is not just a fruit—it is the expression of all the gifts taking root.

 Practicing the Fruit of Love

To grow in love is to allow the Holy Spirit to widen our hearts—gradually, humbly, and consistently. This love is not reserved for the extraordinary moments, but revealed in the ordinary, daily acts of grace. Here are some ways to let the fruit of love take deeper root in your life:

• Begin each day with a quiet offering: Before speaking or acting, ask: Holy Spirit, help me to love well today—through my words, my tone, my choices.
  
  
• Listen attentively: Make a conscious effort to be fully present when someone speaks. Set aside distractions. Let love be shown in undivided attention.
  
  
• Notice and affirm the good in others: Send a message, write a note, or speak a kind word that reminds someone of their value—especially when they least expect it.
  
  
• Love in patience: When frustrated, pause. Breathe. Delay a reaction. Choose a softer response. This is love in action.
  
  
• Forgive with gentleness: If a memory of hurt surfaces, pray: Holy Spirit, soften my heart. Teach me to forgive with freedom.
  
  
• Stretch your circle: Look around your parish, workplace, or neighbourhood. Is there someone who might feel overlooked or disconnected? Extend warmth, an invitation, a kind gesture.
  
  
• Serve in hidden ways: Do something kind without needing recognition—return a shopping trolley, wash someone else’s mug, tidy up after a meeting.
  
  
• Pray intentionally for someone each day: Choose one person each morning and hold them in prayer, especially with someone you may find difficult to understand or connect.

“Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

 Journal Opportunity: Reflecting on Love

Here are a few journaling prompts to sit with this week:

1. When I think of love, what images or memories come to mind?
2. In what ways do I already see the fruit of love in my life?
3. Where am I struggling to show love right now?
4. What does it mean for me to love as Christ loves?
5. How can I invite the Holy Spirit to help me love more deeply this week?

You may like to print and keep these in your prayer journal or spiritual notebook.

 Closing Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, fill my heart with your divine fire.
Teach me how to love when I feel dry, wounded, or afraid.
Let my life speak of your love—not just in words, but in every choice I make.
Holy Spirit, grow your fruit in me. Amen.

  

Collect Series: Solemnity of Body and Blood of Christ ( Corpus Christi).

Collect Series

The Mass: Collect Series Icon

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

 COLLECT

 

The Collect of the Mass for the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ reads as follows:

 

O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of Your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of Your Body and Blood
that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of Your redemption. 
Who lives and reign with God the Father
in the unity o the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible for my life during this week, the following reflection questions emerged: 

1. What is my attitude to the Eucharist- do I believe in the real presence in the Eucharist?
2. Why is the Eucharist linked to Christ's suffering and death and how does that link impact on our lives?
3. How grateful am I for the salvation Christ has won for me and how does that manifest itself in my life?
4. What is the peace of the kingdom and how might it be experienced in my life this week?
5. How might I increase my faith and love of Jesus truly present in the Eucharist?

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Luke 9:11–17 recounts the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, one of the most beloved and symbol-rich Gospel episodes

There are a number of interesting points to highlight in this Gospel.  However,  the following line is key to this Gospel.

“You give them something to eat.”

This line strikes at the heart of discipleship. The apostles see the problem which for them is thousands of hungry people. They look to Jesus to solve it. However, Jesus turns it around: you give them something to eat. This is not only about food. It is about responsibility, participation, and trust.

Jesus invites the disciples to be part of the miracle, even when they feel unequipped. That same invitation comes to us. We often think, “I do not have enough—time, energy, skill, resources.” Yet Christ works through our little offerings—our “five loaves and two fish”—when we hand them over in faith.

 

Other interesting aspects to highlight in this Gospel include:

1. Eucharistic Overtones

• Jesus takes, blesses, breaks, and gives—the same verbs used at the Last Supper (Luke 22:19). This foreshadows the institution of the Eucharist and the ongoing feeding of God’s people.
• The miracle is not just physical—it points to the spiritual nourishment that Jesus alone can provide.

2. Abundance from Scarcity

• The miracle shows that divine grace is never stingy. Not only were all fed, but there were twelve baskets left over—a powerful image of God's abundant provision.
• The number twelve is symbolic: twelve tribes of Israel, twelve apostles—this miracle touches on God’s plan for the fullness of His people.

3. A Shared Meal in the Wilderness

• The setting is a deserted place, recalling the Israelites in the desert and God's provision of manna. Jesus becomes the new Moses—leading, teaching, and feeding the people.

4. The Role of the Disciples

• Jesus does not distribute the food directly. He gives it to the disciples to give to the people. This shows how the ministry of the Church continues Christ’s mission. It continues on today through our priests who distribute Holy Communion to their congregation and through the Eucharistic Ministers.
• The cooperation of the disciples mattered. They organize the people, distribute the food, and gather the leftovers. The miracle was given by Jesus but Jesus allowed it to flow through their hands. Jesus still allows His miracles to flow through our hands too if we cooperate.

5. A Hidden Lesson on Trust and Surrender

• The disciples first respond with worry: “We have only five loaves…” They see limitations. Jesus sees possibilities.
• The miracle happened after the disciples obeyed. Obedience unlocked abundance.

 

Personal Reflection Questions

• Where in my life am I being asked to “give them something to eat”? What do I see as my five loaves and two fish?
• Am I holding back because I think I do not have enough?
• Do I trust that when I offer my gifts to Jesus, He can multiply them?

 

REFLECTION.

The Feast of the Body and blood of Christ is a wonderful feast as it focuses on the unique gift of Himself given for us in the Eucharist.  On this wonderful feast we have a chance to renew our love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. As Catholics we believe that when we receive Holy Communion, Christ is truly present because of the words of consecration said by the priest at Mass although the appearance of the bread and wine remains. 

 

Many countries traditionally keep Corpus Christi on Thursday, but in Australia the celebration is moved to Sunday to make it more accessible and pastorally meaningful.  This approach mirrors similar adjustments made in other countries (e.g., the U.S., Canada, Ireland, England & Wales) targeting pastoral inclusion.

 

 

Come Holy Spirit Series: Part B: Week 1 The Fruits of the Spirit ( overview)

 Come Holy Spirit Series. 

Come Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit Series – 

Part Two: The Fruits of the Spirit

Week 1 – What the Spirit Grows Within Us

Welcome back to Come Holy Spirit, a journey we began seven weeks ago by looking deeply at the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit—those beautiful seeds planted in us at Confirmation and stirred again by grace.

Now we begin the next movement of our walk:
The Fruits of the Spirit—the outward signs that the gifts are active and alive within us.

This is how we know the Spirit is not just visiting, but dwelling and transforming.

 

What Are the Fruits of the Spirit?

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are listed in Galatians 5:22–23:

“The fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

The Catholic tradition expands the list to 12, drawing from the Vulgate and Church tradition (Galatians + writings from early Fathers and spiritual reflection):

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Generosity
• Gentleness
• Faithfulness
• Modesty
• Self-control
• Chastity

Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church – Q. 390
“The fruits of the Holy Spirit are perfections that the Holy Spirit forms in us as the first fruits of eternal glory.”

 

How Do the Fruits Relate to the Gifts?

The Gifts of the Spirit are planted in us. The Fruits of the Spirit are what grow when we nurture and live from those gifts.

For example:

• When we use the gift of Wisdom, we begin to bear the fruit of Peace.
• When Fortitude is active in our life, we start to see Patience and Faithfulness.
• When Piety and Fear of the Lord grow, they lead to Modesty and Chastity.

The gifts help us receive God's grace.
The fruits show that grace is shaping our lives.

 

Why Are the Fruits Important?

The Fruits of the Spirit are important because they show that the Holy Spirit is not just with us—but within us.

They are:

• Evidence that our lives are rooted in God.
• A spiritual compass when we feel dry or stuck.
• A way to witness to others without preaching—by our joy, patience, gentleness, and love.
• A measure of growth—not in perfection, but in direction.

They are what grow in us as we cooperate with the gifts.

 

How Can We Practice the Fruits in Daily Life?

Here are some gentle ways to begin “practicing” the fruits:

1. Awareness – Begin by naming them. Each morning, choose one fruit and pray: “Holy Spirit, help me live this fruit today.” We may wish to renew this prayer at lunch time and at evening time.
   
   
2. Examination – At the end of the day, reflect:
   “Where did I live this fruit today? Where did I resist it?”
   
   
3. Ask for Help –  It is important to have the right mindset about the fruits. We need to remember that these fruits are not achievements. They are responses to grace. If a fruit feels missing, ask for it honestly.
   
   
4. Let Them Flow – Fruits often show up when we stop striving and start surrendering. Make room for the Spirit by being quiet, praying honestly, and choosing love over ego.

 

Over the Next 12 Weeks...

We will take one fruit each week. We will reflect on it, explore Scripture, and see how it might be gently practiced in our lives—no pressure, just openness.

Each post will offer:

• A simple reflection
• Relevant Scriptures
• A “Soul Practice” for the week
• A closing prayer

Opportunity for Journaling our Journey: Making Room for the Fruits of the Spirit

During this week, we may wish to journal about the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Set aside 10–15 minutes this week to pray and write. Let the Spirit nudge your heart as you reflect: Here are some reflection questions to consider:

 

Understanding the Fruits

1. What do I currently know or believe about the Fruits of the Holy Spirit?
2. Have I ever consciously asked the Holy Spirit to grow these fruits in me?
3. Have I noticed any confusion in the past about the difference between gifts and fruits? If so, what’s becoming clearer now?

Seeing the Fruits

4. Which of the 12 fruits do I recognise in myself most easily?
5. Are there any fruits that I used to see in myself, but seem quieter or missing lately?
6. Are there any fruits I long to grow in more deeply right now? Why those?
7. Is there a fruit I find especially difficult to understand or practice?

Perception vs. Reality

8. How do I think others see me? Do I believe they see the fruits of the Spirit in me?

9.    Have I ever been surprised by someone else's perception of me? For example: Ask a couple you know well to share with you the fruits of the Spirit they see operating in you.

10. What does that reveal about how we might underestimate what the Spirit is doing in us—even when others see it clearly?

Moving Forward with the Spirit

11. What small, concrete step can I take this week to open my heart to one of the fruits?
12. How can I invite the Holy Spirit to show me what fruit He wants to grow in me right now?

Lord, I don’t always know what fruit is growing in me, or what others see.
Help me to see as You see, grow as You desire, and let Your presence bear quiet fruit in my life. Amen.

 

Closing Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, Lord of Life,
You have planted gifts in me—now teach me how to let them grow.
Form in me the fruits of Your presence: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity.
Let my life reflect You—not by force, but by the quiet beauty of grace alive within.
Amen.

 

Come Holy Spirit Series: Revisiting the Seven Gifts of the Spirit.

Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit.

 Week 8 — Revisiting the Seven Gifts
“Pentecost Has Come... What Now?”

Pentecost has just passed. The fire has fallen. The Church has been sent again.

But what happens next?

Do we simply return to “Ordinary Time,” business as usual?  Are we going to carry that fire into our everyday lives, one step at a time?

This week, before we move on to the Fruits of the Spirit, let us pause and revisit the Gifts the Holy Spirit has planted in us. Whether you read every post in the series or are just joining now, this is your invitation to reflect, remember, and respond.

The Seven Gifts at a Glance

1. Wisdom – Seeing with God’s Eyes

The gift that lets us desire what God desires, value what He values, and live with eternity in view.  “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

2. Understanding – Grasping God’s Truth

The grace to go beyond surface knowledge and feel the truth of God’s Word deep in our hearts.  “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45)

3. Counsel – Knowing What to Do

The gift of right judgment. The Spirit helps us make wise choices, especially when life is confusing or difficult. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

4. Fortitude – Courage to Keep Going

Holy perseverance. The strength to stand firm in faith, love boldly, and keep going when we want to give up. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

5. Knowledge – Seeing Creation in Light of the Creator

This gift helps us see the world and ourselves rightly—recognizing God’s hand in all things and avoiding false attachments. “The earth is the Lord’s and all it contains.” (Psalm 24:1)

6. Piety – Loving God as Father

A tender love for God that draws us to prayer, worship, and compassionate service—not out of obligation, but out of belonging. “We cry, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Romans 8:15)

7. Fear of the Lord – Awe That Awakens the Soul

Not terror, but holy reverence. The humility to remember that God is God—and we are His.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10)

 

Reflection Questions for the Week

• Which gift has been stirred in me most in recent weeks?

• Which one do I tend to forget, resist, or downplay?

• How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to live these gifts, not just know about them?
• How will I make a conscious effort to come to have a deep relationship with Holy Spirit? ( for example we might pray/sing sequence prayer of Pentecost each day/night.

 A Pentecost Invitation That Doesn't End

This week, choose one gift to focus on.
Ask the Holy Spirit to breathe on it again.
“Holy Spirit, thank You for Your gifts.
Fan into flame what You’ve begun in me.
Help me to live not by my strength, but by Yours.”
But for now—just be still.
Revisit. Reread. Rest in what has already been given. Be open to receiving more of what Holy Spirit has to offer us.  

You might say:

Next week, we begin the next phase: the Fruits of the Spirit—those beautiful signs that the Spirit’s presence is bearing fruit in our lives.

Closing Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit,

Thank You for Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, 

Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.

Let these gifts shape my thoughts, strengthen my heart, and guide my steps.

Let Pentecost not be a moment I pass by—but a movement I live every day.

Come, Holy Spirit. 

Rest on me. Live in me. Work through me today and always.

Amen.