“Open yourselves docilely to the gifts of the Spirit! Accept gratefully and obediently the charisms which the Spirit never ceases to bestow on us” Pope St. John Paul II.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are for everyone and accessible through baptism and confirmation. The soul which has received these Sacraments already has full access to these gifts through the indwelling of the Spirit.
The 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit are The Word of Knowledge, The Word of Wisdom, The Gift of Prophecy, The Gift of Faith, The Gifts of Healings, The Working of Miracles, The Discerning of Spirits, Different Kinds of Tongues, The Interpretation of Tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10
As St. Paul confirms, ‘all these are inspired by One and the same Spirit, Who apportions to each one individually as He will” 1 Corinthians 12:11
“this evening, I prepared with great care and prayed long and hard to the Holy Spirit that He might deign to grant me His list and take my under His special guidance” Divine Mercy in my soul # 1174
We draw all our power through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There are many gifts that He has granted to us. I spent an evening listing in my journal that gifts that I desired, those I felt He had granted me from the list in 1 Corinthians 12 and then continued by listing the many ‘gifts’ the Spirit has given me that aren’t listed in these. As I review these lists, I see many of these ‘extra’ gifts are graces included within the major gifts in 1 Corinthians 12.
As we move from the Feast of Mercy towards Pentecost I am trying to focus on the many gifts the Holy Spirit has granted to me. The Spirit makes all His gifts and power available to us through our baptism and confirmation, the question is how much we use those that are apparent and work to grow those that we don’t see. Anyone who works out understands that you can’t attain great accomplishments without putting the ground work to build the foundation. Likewise, how can the soul speak in tongues, heal or work miracles without learning to grow in its closeness and trust of the Holy Spirit. A farmer or gardener understands that before you can have the harvest, one must go out to prepare the field so the seeds have the best chance to grow. It is the same with the gifts and charisms of the Holy Spirit for the soul. Mark 4:18, Jesus makes it clear that seeds planted in good soil will bear fruit a hundredfold.
To prepare the ‘soil of the soul’, one must strive to remain in a state of grace free from all sin. Go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation often and renounce sin and temptations. Attend Mass often and receive the Eucharist, more than weekly – in these days, receive the Eucharist spiritually through an Act of Spiritual Communion. Grow your prayer life, one can’t draw gifts from a stranger. Seek others who are also looking to grow the gifts of the Holy Spirit and pray together for an outpouring of these gifts.
Very important to receive the gifts, ask God. James 4:2 says “you do not have because you do not ask God”. I want all the gifts that God will make available to me for His glory, but to receive, I know I have to ask Him and then be obedient and patient to His Divine Will. God will give us everything we ask for in the Name of Jesus, for His Glory. The development of these gifts may be a process of time and need. He will give us what is necessary when it is necessary. Be ready.
If you want to understand more of what some of these gifts are, find someone to talk to about them. A good spiritual director can guide well, maybe you know someone who has a gift you strongly desire. Coaches are an awesome tool in the body of Christ.
“Strive eagerly for the spiritual gifts” 1 Corinthians 14:1