I've seen the gifts of the Holy Spirit used in marvelous ways to unify the Church – both the charismatic gifts such as tongues, prophecy, and healing, as well as other spiritual gifts such as faith, knowledge, administration, and teaching (1 Cor 12:7-10). I've also seen people angrily leave the Catholic Church and join assemblies which emphasize certain charismatic spiritual gifts. Moreover, I have seen the Spirit's gifts used by some in the Church in ways that were self-serving and not contributing to the unity of the body, as they forgot basic truths about the gifts of the Spirit, such as:
"Receive the Holy Spirit" (Jn 20:22). Live by the Spirit and follow His lead in using the spiritual gifts you received (Gal 5:25).
| PRAYER: | Father, may we "make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin" (Eph 4:3). |
| PROMISE: | "All were filled with the Holy Spirit." –Acts 2:4 |
| PRAISE: | Praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Who live in us forevermore! |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College