21 May 2012: The Gift of Wisdom

Through this gift, the Holy Spirit places this knowledge within the reach of simple souls who love God; a knowledge not learned from books but given by God who illumines and fills our mind and heart, will and understanding, with love. We develop a more intimate and joyful knowledge of God and his mysteries. Just as a mother knows her child by the love she has for him or her, so too, through charity, a soul attains a deep knowledge of God who lovingly bestows light and the ability to know divine mysteries. This gift is the fruit of charity which the Holy Spirit gives to each one. It is a sharing in God’s infinite wisdom. St Thomas Aquinas teaches (cf “Summa Theologiae”, I, 45, 2) that the object of this gift is principally God himself and divine things; but it also includes the things of this world insofar as they come from God and are ordered to him. No higher knowledge of God is possible than this wisdom. It enriches and facilitates our prayer and life of service to God and men; prepares the soul for “a certain experience of the sweetness of God”, (St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, I-II, 112, 5) both in himself and in created things insofar as these refer to him. By this gift, so closely united with the virtue of charity, we are better able to live amicably with others. Daily we find very many opportunities to serve and help those around us. In our prayer let us see whether we serve others as we ought to, whether we try to make their lives pleasant and joyful. “Among the gifts of the Holy Spirit, ... there is one which we all need in a special way: the gift of wisdom. It makes us know God and rejoice in his presence, thereby placing us in a perspective from which we can judge accurately the situations and events of life.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 133) The saints, illumined by this gift, understood that illness is not a misfortune. They endure sufferings because they accept God’s mysterious ways, who frequently blesses with the Cross. They know that all things, even those not understood from the purely human viewpoint, work for the good of those who love God. (cf Rom 8:28) “The gift of wisdom, the principle of a living contemplation that directs action, enables the soul to taste the goodness of God, to see it manifested in all events, even in the most painful, since God permits evil only for a higher good, which we shall see later and which is sometimes given us to glimpse on earth.” (R Garrigou-Lagrange, “The Three Ages of the Interior Life”, II) Through this gift the motions of grace will bring great peace to us, our neighbors and friends. We then bring joy wherever we go; find the right word to reconcile whoever are at odds. Thus, it jibes with: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ Those who enjoy internal peace can bring peace to others. This peace which the world cannot give comes from seeing all things in God’s providence, who never forgets his children. The gift of wisdom gives us a loving faith and an understanding of the great mystery of God which we never thought possible. It might involve the presence and nearness of God, or the Real Presence of Christ in the tabernacle, which produces an incredible happiness. “The soul remains there, without saying anything or saying only a few simple words of love, in deep contemplation, with its eyes fixed on the Sacred Host, never tiring of looking at him. It seems as if Jesus were seeing into its very depths.” (A Riaud, “The Action of the Holy Spirit in Souls”, Madrid) This loving action of the Holy Spirit will be possible only if we take good care of the times set aside for God: Mass, at personal prayer, visits to the Blessed Sacrament which must be given priority in our normal day, even at times when we are very busy or tired. “May the Mother of God and our Mother protect us, so that each one of us may serve the Church in the fullness of faith, with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and with our contemplative life. May each one of us joyfully honour the Lord by carrying out his own duties, those which are properly his; each one of us, in his job or profession and fulfilling the obligations of his state in life.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Friends of God”, 316) Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:549-54 ` ` ` MAY DEVOTIONS ` ` ` Mary’s Prayer “Let us ask the Blessed Virgin to make us contemplatives, to teach us to recognize the constant calls from God at the door of our heart. Let us ask her now: Our Mother, you brought to earth Jesus, who reveals the love of our Father God. Help us to recognize him in the midst of the cares of each day. Stir up our mind and will so that we may listen to the voice of God, to the calls of grace.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Christ is passing by”, 174) Let us offer our Mother: ‘A visit to Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.’ Ref: Fr Charles Belmonte and Fr James Socias (Eds), “Handbook of Prayers”, 1988, p311 The Rosary points the way to perfection What is Christian life? It is the life of man, enlightened by the knowledge of God, based upon the holy fear of God, upheld by the hope of a reward, and completely vivified by the love of God. Our Blessed Mother, through the Rosary, teaches us to travel and to advance along the path of Christian perfection by unfolding before our eyes pictures of joy, sorrow, and glory. It is impossible to live without pure and real joy. This reality of internal joy is shown by the Blessed Mother in the joyful mysteries. By meditating on these mysteries, we come to realize that our faith is a source of joy. We realize moreover that this joy is not subject to events of the external world, but vital and perennial. Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p54 The Rosary: Weapon for Peace The Rosary is the wonder weapon. At Lepanto in 1571, it sank ships. In 1955, it removed the Russians from Catholic Austria. In 1962, it prevented the Communist takeover of Brazil. In the 1980’s, it has been documented that the bloodless revolution which removed Ferdinand Marcos from power in the Philippines was largely attributed to the praying of the Rosary. THE ROSARY IS THE WEAPON THAT CAN BRING PEACE TO THE WORLD. (Our Lady explicitly said this at Fatima.) Ref: Rev Albert J Shannon, “The POWER of the ROSARY”, 1990, pp39-40 Fruitfulness -- “Rectitude of intention consists in seeking 'only and in all things' the glory of God.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 921) Struggle -- “Humility and obedience are the indispensable conditions for acquiring good doctrine.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “The Forge”, 132) • Our Lady of Sweat, at Salerno, in Italy. It is said that this Madonna sweated blood and water in the year 1611, as a presage of a great conflagration which happened on the following day. — P. Spinelli, Tractatus de exemplis et miraculis, last chapter. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Sweat (Salerno, Italy). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady of Sweat, Salerno, Italy (1611). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Vladmir, Russia (1115). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Our Lady of Vladimir (Russia). (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)