Applying the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit to Our Work - Part 4
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 this
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 Knowledge, beginning with how this gift is presented to us in the Novena to the Holy Spirit:
"The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth - in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize friendship of God beyond all else..."
What do you strive for at work? Money? Position? Adulation? Power? All these are considered signs of "success" in the language of this world. Many of us work hard to get them. Some expend so much time and effort on worldly success, there's no time for anything else: Our ambition displaces our family life, never mind our spiritual lives. Others pursue success with a single-minded obsession that completely overrides any moral sensibility. Their desire for material success finds them doing "whatever it takes." While we have to be careful in judging any particular individual, the fact is we've all seen examples of those who lie, cheat, and steal to get what they want.
But Knowledge, a gift of the Holy Spirit helps us to put material success in its proper context by enabling us to "evaluate created things at their true worth - in their relation to God." We see "beyond" the immediate satisfaction and public recognition that come with material success. Rather than be impressed by those who seem to "have it all," Knowledge "unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God."
Applying this to our work today doesn't mean we don't work hard, or produce our best work. It doesn't even mean we don't strive to better ourselves financially, or that we need to forego replacing that old jalopy in the drive-way with a newer model. Knowledge doesn't dissuade us from pursuing material success; but it keeps such pursuits in perspective.
A husband and father who desires to provide creature comforts for his wife and children shouldn't cease from doing so. But if doing so requires you to be absent from home most of the time, if the effort required takes all your time and energy, with little left over for your family, Knowledge will provide the splash of cold water or hard slap in the face needed to refocus your efforts. You'll put first things first, starting with God.
Of course, actually putting God first may be a bit of a challenge. How often have I taken up time on weekends to catch up with last week's assignments, or to get a jump on the week to come! And that time naturally takes away from the time I can give to my family. Over time, though, I've learned how to control such activity. I've become more organized, and gotten better at prioritizing. It's helped me to identify and set aside those activities that can wait for Monday. This is just a simple example of being able "to evaluate created things at their true worth."
In addition to keeping the material world in perspective, the Gift of Knowledge helps us develop our spiritual life. We can assist this process with the practice of what are known as "norms of piety": daily prayer and other devotions, reading Scripture and good spiritual works, studying the doctrines of our Holy Religion. Such norms both increase and enhance this Gift of the Holy Spirit. With daily persistence, we develop a virtuous circle of knowledge building on knowledge. And such norms don't require any special skills or degrees. If you aren't practicing any of these now, a simple act of the will will get your started. As we say, "Just do it." Pick up the Bible, get your hands of some good spiritual works; study the Catechism in any of its iterations. I've learned much from both the older Baltimore Catechism, as well as the latest version called the "Catechism of the Catholic Church."
It's important to remember here that while the Gift of Knowledge comes from the Holy Spirit, our efforts here cooperate with this Gift. Even more importantly, though, we need to recognize that God's grace enables any incremental progress we make as a result of those efforts. We seek the good, knowing that good comes from God, not from ourselves. Our efforts simply open our hearts and minds to His goodness.
Next time we continue our discussion of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit with the gift of Understanding.
Until then, we pray
Today we consider Knowledge, beginning with how this gift is presented to us in the Novena to the Holy Spirit:
"The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth - in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize friendship of God beyond all else..."
What do you strive for at work? Money? Position? Adulation? Power? All these are considered signs of "success" in the language of this world. Many of us work hard to get them. Some expend so much time and effort on worldly success, there's no time for anything else: Our ambition displaces our family life, never mind our spiritual lives. Others pursue success with a single-minded obsession that completely overrides any moral sensibility. Their desire for material success finds them doing "whatever it takes." While we have to be careful in judging any particular individual, the fact is we've all seen examples of those who lie, cheat, and steal to get what they want.
But Knowledge, a gift of the Holy Spirit helps us to put material success in its proper context by enabling us to "evaluate created things at their true worth - in their relation to God." We see "beyond" the immediate satisfaction and public recognition that come with material success. Rather than be impressed by those who seem to "have it all," Knowledge "unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God."
Applying this to our work today doesn't mean we don't work hard, or produce our best work. It doesn't even mean we don't strive to better ourselves financially, or that we need to forego replacing that old jalopy in the drive-way with a newer model. Knowledge doesn't dissuade us from pursuing material success; but it keeps such pursuits in perspective.
A husband and father who desires to provide creature comforts for his wife and children shouldn't cease from doing so. But if doing so requires you to be absent from home most of the time, if the effort required takes all your time and energy, with little left over for your family, Knowledge will provide the splash of cold water or hard slap in the face needed to refocus your efforts. You'll put first things first, starting with God.
Of course, actually putting God first may be a bit of a challenge. How often have I taken up time on weekends to catch up with last week's assignments, or to get a jump on the week to come! And that time naturally takes away from the time I can give to my family. Over time, though, I've learned how to control such activity. I've become more organized, and gotten better at prioritizing. It's helped me to identify and set aside those activities that can wait for Monday. This is just a simple example of being able "to evaluate created things at their true worth."
In addition to keeping the material world in perspective, the Gift of Knowledge helps us develop our spiritual life. We can assist this process with the practice of what are known as "norms of piety": daily prayer and other devotions, reading Scripture and good spiritual works, studying the doctrines of our Holy Religion. Such norms both increase and enhance this Gift of the Holy Spirit. With daily persistence, we develop a virtuous circle of knowledge building on knowledge. And such norms don't require any special skills or degrees. If you aren't practicing any of these now, a simple act of the will will get your started. As we say, "Just do it." Pick up the Bible, get your hands of some good spiritual works; study the Catechism in any of its iterations. I've learned much from both the older Baltimore Catechism, as well as the latest version called the "Catechism of the Catholic Church."
It's important to remember here that while the Gift of Knowledge comes from the Holy Spirit, our efforts here cooperate with this Gift. Even more importantly, though, we need to recognize that God's grace enables any incremental progress we make as a result of those efforts. We seek the good, knowing that good comes from God, not from ourselves. Our efforts simply open our hearts and minds to His goodness.
Next time we continue our discussion of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit with the gift of Understanding.
Until then, we pray
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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