Applying the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit to Our Work - Part 7
We're continuing our series about applying the Seven Gifts of the
Holy Spirit to our work by first considering each gift in order, using
the solid foundation of the
oldest of novenas to help us understand each. Then we'll try to
apply our understanding and see how each gift can help guide us each day
as we strive to work for the greater glory of God.
Today we consider Wisdom, beginning with how this gift is presented to us in the Novena to the Holy Spirit:
"Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written 'all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands.' It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Saviour: 'Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light.'"
If we're going to try to apply the Gift of Wisdom to our work, it's critical to immediately, first and foremost, consider this: Do we really want "earthly joys to lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness...". Read that again. Really? Doesn't this sound a bit dour, this loss of joy? But of course, it's not a loss of joy itself; it's a turning away from earthly joys.
And the reason for the urgency of our consideration springs from the simple fact that, frankly, we're off the grid here. "Off the grid" because this flies in the face of everything we encounter here in this life, in our world. And, let's face it, so many of us are steeped in the ways of that world. We've likely - knowingly or unknowingly - become thoroughly inured to it's ways. Whether consciously or not, we live in a shallow world where God, for all intents and purposes, doesn't exist. Oh, we may pay Him lip service. We may even go to Mass on Sunday, receive Communion, and call ourselves "Catholic." But what difference does our Catholicism make in our lives?
Wisdom can provide an answer here. Some of us may not like that answer, even if we admit it's true. But no worries. Just remember that the truth shall set us free.
Maybe we do look like everyone around us; even speak and act like them. Some of us may constantly indulge our senses, or fill our minds with endless loops of streaming digital distractions. If so, we've effectively shackled our souls to a secular culture and society that offers nothing but superficial, fleeting pleasure. Well, it that true for you?
What about those of us who aren't so materially and sensually indulgent? Perhaps we're convinced our intellect or cultural pursuits somehow elevates us above the "Choi-poloi." But does it really? So much that purports to build a sound mind leaves us grasping at straws when we try to make sense of our world. And much of what passes as art and other cultural pursuits not only promotes the common, but frequently drags us down to the vulgar, even the pornographic. Consider whether any of this even remotely enriches your mind, your heart, or your soul.
The Gift of Wisdom, on the other hand, "strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree." At work, our virtue shines forth in our language, how we bear ourselves, our honesty and integrity, our treatment of others. We refuse to engage in unethical practices; we diligently engage in our daily tasks. Put simply, an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. The virtues help us check or avoid any of the typical uncharitable words, even gossip, that fills in the cracks of a long work day for too many of us.
And when things don't go our way, we're more disposed to "offer it up" rather than complain. Even in the midst of the distress of having to labor at jobs we really dislike; or, even worse, losing a job that provides a bare minimum of security and sufficiency for our families, Wisdom reminds us that our cross "yields a divine sweetness." Such an understanding may not come to us naturally, but with an active prayer life and the hope that comes with a strong faith, we may be able to unite ourselves to Our Savior on His Cross. We may remember that He told each and everyone of us: 'Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light." To be sure, it won't instantly ease our pain or pay our bills. But the Gift of Wisdom, even as it helps us bear our anxiety, our sorrow, even our pain, will help us see that "this too shall pass."
Next time we'll see, in the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit, just how his precious Gifts will fill our hearts, as the great ancient prayer teaches us:
Today we consider Wisdom, beginning with how this gift is presented to us in the Novena to the Holy Spirit:
"Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written 'all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands.' It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Saviour: 'Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light.'"
If we're going to try to apply the Gift of Wisdom to our work, it's critical to immediately, first and foremost, consider this: Do we really want "earthly joys to lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness...". Read that again. Really? Doesn't this sound a bit dour, this loss of joy? But of course, it's not a loss of joy itself; it's a turning away from earthly joys.
And the reason for the urgency of our consideration springs from the simple fact that, frankly, we're off the grid here. "Off the grid" because this flies in the face of everything we encounter here in this life, in our world. And, let's face it, so many of us are steeped in the ways of that world. We've likely - knowingly or unknowingly - become thoroughly inured to it's ways. Whether consciously or not, we live in a shallow world where God, for all intents and purposes, doesn't exist. Oh, we may pay Him lip service. We may even go to Mass on Sunday, receive Communion, and call ourselves "Catholic." But what difference does our Catholicism make in our lives?
Wisdom can provide an answer here. Some of us may not like that answer, even if we admit it's true. But no worries. Just remember that the truth shall set us free.
Maybe we do look like everyone around us; even speak and act like them. Some of us may constantly indulge our senses, or fill our minds with endless loops of streaming digital distractions. If so, we've effectively shackled our souls to a secular culture and society that offers nothing but superficial, fleeting pleasure. Well, it that true for you?
What about those of us who aren't so materially and sensually indulgent? Perhaps we're convinced our intellect or cultural pursuits somehow elevates us above the "Choi-poloi." But does it really? So much that purports to build a sound mind leaves us grasping at straws when we try to make sense of our world. And much of what passes as art and other cultural pursuits not only promotes the common, but frequently drags us down to the vulgar, even the pornographic. Consider whether any of this even remotely enriches your mind, your heart, or your soul.
The Gift of Wisdom, on the other hand, "strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree." At work, our virtue shines forth in our language, how we bear ourselves, our honesty and integrity, our treatment of others. We refuse to engage in unethical practices; we diligently engage in our daily tasks. Put simply, an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. The virtues help us check or avoid any of the typical uncharitable words, even gossip, that fills in the cracks of a long work day for too many of us.
And when things don't go our way, we're more disposed to "offer it up" rather than complain. Even in the midst of the distress of having to labor at jobs we really dislike; or, even worse, losing a job that provides a bare minimum of security and sufficiency for our families, Wisdom reminds us that our cross "yields a divine sweetness." Such an understanding may not come to us naturally, but with an active prayer life and the hope that comes with a strong faith, we may be able to unite ourselves to Our Savior on His Cross. We may remember that He told each and everyone of us: 'Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light." To be sure, it won't instantly ease our pain or pay our bills. But the Gift of Wisdom, even as it helps us bear our anxiety, our sorrow, even our pain, will help us see that "this too shall pass."
Next time we'll see, in the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit, just how his precious Gifts will fill our hearts, as the great ancient prayer teaches us:
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy Love.
Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
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