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Spiritual Guidance
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A Word from the Pastor“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."
- (Romans 5: 1 - 5)
This Sunday we celebrate "The love of God that has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." The Holy Spirit is a gift from the Father and the Son, by which we "live, move, and have our being" in God through Jesus Christ. The life of the Triune God, poured into us, enables us to live in a godly way, worthy of our Father in Heaven, reflecting that we are living Temples of the Holy Spirit, and faithful disciples of Jesus Christ our Savior. If we are open to God, then we can be continually transformed, becoming more and more children of God who reflect the light of heaven in our attitude, thoughts, words, and deeds. The gift of Divine Life is offered, but it is up to each of us to cooperate with the gift of grace and allow the transformation.
In addition, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, upon the Church and upon individual Christians, brings the strength to live like Christ. Jesus promises us the Holy Spirit, but He does not force the Spirit upon us. He makes clear the blessings the Holy Spirit brings to those who are open to Him: "If you love Me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you always... Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him... I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you." (John 14: 15 - 16, 21, 25 - 27a) Make the choice for Grace and the strength it brings. Make the choice for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- Fr. Francis P. Foley -
Some Passages from Scripture and Quotes to Think About...Living with the Flavor of Christ in You & Reflecting His Light
- Matthew 5: 13 - 16
What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit?
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are, wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of God. The standard interpretation has been the one that St. Thomas Aquinas worked out in the thirteenth century in his Summa Theologiae:- Wisdom is both the knowledge of and judgment about “divine things” and the ability to judge and direct our lives, and human affairs, according to divine truth.
- Understanding is penetrating insight into the very heart of things, especially those higher truths that are necessary for our eternal salvation—in effect, the ability to “see” God.
- Counsel allows a person to be directed by God in matters necessary for salvation.
- Fortitude denotes a firmness of mind in doing good and in avoiding evil, particularly when it is difficult or dangerous to do so, and the confidence to overcome all obstacles, even deadly ones, by virtue of the assurance of everlasting life.
- Knowledge is the ability to judge correctly about matters of faith and right action, so as to never wander from the straight path of justice.
- Piety is, principally, revering God with filial affection, paying worship and duty to God, paying due duty to all men on account of their relationship to God, and honoring the saints and not contradicting Scripture. The Latin word pietas denotes the reverence that we give to our father and to our country; since God is the Father of all, the worship of God is also called piety.
- Fear of God is a reverence for God our Father, leading us to avoid separating ourselves from Him—as opposed to “servile” fear, whereby we fear punishment.
“Holy Spirit, inspire me. Love of God, consume me. On the true path, lead me. Mary, my Mother, look upon me. With Jesus, bless me. From all evil, from all illusion, from all danger, preserve me.” - St. Mariam Baouardy, +1878
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Welcome to Our Spiritual Guidance Page.
Weekly messages and prayers from our Pastor, Fr. Francis Foley,
along with poetry and quotes from the saints,
will be posted here! -