St. Josaphat’s Cathedral in Edmonton, Canada is a cross-shaped building with seven copper domes that symbolize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit as defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and explained by St. Thomas Aquinas in the Summa Theologica.
The seven gifts consist of wisdom, which enables people to acknowledge God’s existence and impact in their lives and surroundings. Individuals endowed with wisdom discover profound significance in natural phenomena, historical occurrences, and diverse life encounters.
We perceive God as our Father, value the worthiness of others, and recognize God’s presence in everything. In terms of understanding, we comprehend how we should live as followers of Christ. Someone with understanding is not perplexed by the contradictory messages in our society regarding the proper way to live. The gift of understanding enhances a person’s ability to grasp truth through speculative reasoning. It is the gift through which self-evident principles are recognized, as Aquinas explains. With the gift of counsel or right judgment, we discern between right and wrong, and consciously choose to do what is right. A person with right judgment avoids sin and embodies the teachings of Jesus. Fortitude or courage:
The ability to have fortitude or courage allows us to overcome our fears and be willing to take risks in our journey as followers of Jesus Christ. It means being prepared to defend what is right in God’s eyes, even if it means facing rejection, verbal abuse, or physical harm. This gift gives us the mental strength to do good and endure evil.
The gift of knowledge enables us to comprehend the essence and significance of God beyond simply accumulating facts.
Through the gift of reverence, also known as piety, we cultivate a deep respect for God and the Church. This reverence comes from recognizing our complete dependence on God and approaching Him with humility, trust, and love. According to Aquinas, piety is the gift through which we worship and honor God as our Father.
The fear of the Lord, also known as wonder and awe, completes this set of spiritual gifts.
The fear of the Lord is a gift that enables us to acknowledge the magnificence and grandeur of God. Those who possess wonder and reverence comprehend that God encompasses all that we yearn for: flawless knowledge, impeccable goodness, unmatched power, and unparalleled love. Aquinas characterizes this gift as a fear of estranging oneself from God, which he labels “filial fear,” resembling a child’s apprehension of disappointing their father rather than a “servile fear” driven by punishment. The fear of the Lord serves as the foundation of wisdom (Prov 1:7) because it aligns our perspective correctly in relation to God – we are limited and reliant beings while He is the boundless and omnipotent Creator. This gift is bestowed through the Holy Spirit and acknowledged by the Church.
The Holy Spirit is an eternal divine person who exists with the Father and the Son. Throughout the Old Testament, the Spirit actively participates in creation and is further revealed in the New Testament. Jesus’ earthly life reflects the life of the Spirit most accurately. Following His ascension, God sends the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to carry on Christ’s mission, thereby fulfilling His promise to His disciples. The Holy Spirit operates in the world by convicting people of sin, leading them to repentance and faith, and directing them towards a complete life in Christ.
The Holy Spirit, also known as the Counselor, remains constantly by God’s people and serves as a reminder of everything spoken and accomplished by Jesus. Additionally, the Holy Spirit, referred to as the Spirit of Truth, guides believers and ensures the fulfillment of the everlasting inheritance promised through Christ. Moreover, in accordance with God’s will, the Holy Spirit intercedes for believers and provides assistance to His children in times of need.
The Holy Spirit purifies and dedicates believers for a life of holiness while granting them power for acts of service. Furthermore, within the church community, the Holy Spirit actively fosters unity, worship, and service.
When the church stays open and receptive to the leading of the Spirit, it can experience His presence. The Spirit grants spiritual gifts to all believers based on His own will and intentions. These gifts are listed in Scripture and are meant to empower the church and enable ministry in the world. Furthermore, the Spirit assists the church in recognizing and appointing individuals for leadership positions. It is the responsibility of the church to recognize and cultivate the use of these gifts within its life and ministry.
Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, established the church as God’s new community. Its roots can be traced back to the people of God in the Old Testament and serves as a testimony to the existence of God’s kingdom on earth. Jesus Christ leads this redeemed community and governs us with His Word and desires. The church encompasses all those who have faith in Jesus as their Savior and faithfully adhere to Him as their Lord. When we become part of the church, we unite with God’s family and endeavor to love Jesus while demonstrating love and compassion towards one another.
As a covenant community, we pledge to God and our fellow members that we will live a holy life, be devoted to the church, and foster unity within the body of Christ. We exemplify this commitment by actively participating in our local congregation, demonstrating the authenticity of our discipleship. Additionally, we dedicate ourselves to the denomination, forming connections with a broader fellowship of believers. Furthermore, we align ourselves with the global body of Christ as we endeavor to fulfill Jesus’ prayer for worldwide unity among all believers.
The church carries out important roles, namely worship, fellowship, discipleship, and mission. Worship requires whole-hearted devotion to the Lord God. Fellowship entails expressing our commitment to loving one another. Discipleship involves obeying and teaching the commands of the Lord Jesus. Mission involves spreading the gospel and meeting human needs, mirroring Jesus’ actions. As a covenant community, we foster mutual accountability among our members.
The church follows Jesus’ instructions for addressing sin, which involves initially confronting the individual privately, then escalating to involve witnesses if necessary, and ultimately involving the entire congregation if needed. When dealing with sin, the church aims to respond with compassion and consideration. The purpose of church discipline is to restore the person who sinned and preserve the church’s integrity and purity in its fellowship and testimony.
