Do you know the seven gifts that we receive from the Holy Spirit? I know that sounds like a conformation question or even worse, Baltimore Catechism. But it is something that we as Catholics should know. So the answer is the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude (or courage), knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Although looking it up in the Bible wouldn't hurt you either. In fact, that is how I came upon it in First letter to the Corinthians in chapter 12. The Bible tells us that "to each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit." We know that the Holy Spirit is our advocate. We know that we are a temple for the Holy Spirit. Realizing that the Holy Spirit brings us gifts is something that we often forget. The Bible is also clear about the fact that we don't usually receive all of these gifts. That is something that many parents seem to forget very often. Each child comes with a TAG (talents, abilities, and gifts). Very often, we as parents want to add things to the TAG that our children may not have been given. This can cause some very serious problems. It places severe pressure on our children to try to meet the expectations of their parents when God clearly had another plan. I am not saying that we shouldn't set clear benchmarks for our children. We should also encourage them to be the best that they can be. That is where the two sides need to converge. What does your child's original TAG look like? How has the Holy Spirit been generous to your child? Take a closer look at that and then help you child realize her/his potential within that realm. That will make for a much happier childhood and provide you with a solid foundation towards building a life-long relationship of love and trust with your child. Treat your child as your Father treats you. The abundance of gifts is another indication that God wants nothing but the best for us. he showers us with love and gifts and we should respond accordingly.
Jesus Came to End Death and to Build a Church
The twelve apostles chosen by Jesus formed the bedrock of the early Church , and their Catholic identity is deeply rooted in their direct relationship with Christ and the mission He entrusted to them. The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights this foundational role, stating that Jesus "instituted the Twelve as 'the seeds of the new Israel and the beginning of the sacred hierarchy'" ( CCC 860 ). These men were not simply followers; they were handpicked by Jesus, lived intimately with Him, witnessed His miracles and teachings firsthand, and were specifically commissioned to preach the Gospel to all nations ( Matthew 28:19-20 ). Their unique position as eyewitnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and their reception of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, established them as the authoritative leaders of the nascent Church, a reality echoed in the writings of early Church Fathers like Ignatius of Antioch, who emphasized the apostles' authority as repre...
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