Praying through Lent with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit - As a practical exercise this year for Lent, each of us is invited to reflect on one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit during each of the seven weeks of Lent.
For the week from Ash Wednesday through Saturday, our focus is on the gift of WISDOM.
As we begin the season of Lent, let us open and use the gift of Wisdom. What does it mean to be wise? The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of Wisdom so we might see things through God’s eyes. The wise person knows that the struggle of Good Friday is followed by the joy of Easter Sunday. Wisdom enables us to see our own sufferings as part of God’s loving plan for us.
Holy Spirit, allow me to use the gift of Wisdom so that during this week especially, I might look at my troubles and find you are present with me in the midst of them.
For the week that begins with the First Sunday of Lent, our focus is on the gift of UNDERSTANDING.
To Understand is to see through the eyes of others. We come to appreciate another when we come to truly know them. God has given us a manual to better know and learn about our Lord’s plan – it is the Bible. Prayerful reading and reflecting on the words of Scripture help us to understand God’s presence in our lives. As St. Francis of Assisi hoped for, “Lord, grant that I may not so much seek to be
understood, as to understand.”
Holy Spirit, help me to develop my gift of Understanding.Allow the inspired words of the Bible to be revealed to me so I might recognize and realize all the many ways you are calling to me this week.
For the week that begins with the Second Sunday of Lent, our focus is on the gift of RIGHT JUDGMENT.
From the moment we wake up each day, we make countless decisions. When we use Right Judgment, we can base our decisions on God’s advice and to choose the path God wants us to take.
The gift of Right Judgment (also referred to as Counsel) helps us avoid making decisions that are not based on God. It helps us decide the things we are to say and the deeds we are to do that do not
tear others down, but rather the ones that help build the kingdom here on earth.
Holy Spirit, help me to listen to my gift of Right Judgment. Allow me to better hear your divine counsel that will enable me to live this week in particular as a true disciple of the Lord.
For the week that begins with the Third Sunday of Lent, our focus is on the gift of COURAGE.
Courage is the gift that enables us to overcome our fears and face any dangers with confidence. Sometimes we are afraid in the midst of uncertainty and anxiety because we are depending on our own resources and our own strength.
The gift of Courage (also referred to as fortitude) enables us to see where our true strength comes from – it is gifted to us from the Spirit. Yet how often do we overlook or ignore the Spirit and try to rely solely on our human frailty rather than utilizing divine courage?
Holy Spirit, the courage you generously bestow upon me, enables me to persevere in situations when I otherwise would have given up. Allow me to continue to use this gift to boldly proclaim and model my faith.
For the week that begins with the Fourth Sunday of Lent, our focus is on the gift of KNOWLEDGE.
All of us know stuff. The gift of Knowledge helps us know the important stuff. For example, anyone can know about the Spirit, but as Catholics we are called to truly know the Spirit intimately. One way to determine if we are using our Knowledge well is to examine whether the things we know lead us to charity in our actions. The gift of Knowledge is not meant to merely satisfy our idle curiosity. It is given to us so we might be active with living out our faith.
Holy Spirit, help me to use the gift of Knowledge to better understand and experience your presence. May you enlighten me to know how I am to serve and to love others.
(Reprinted with permission of St. Anthony Messenger Press, 28 W. Liberty St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. 800-488-0488. All rights reserved.)