Gifts of Holy Spirit

Gifts of Holy Spirit

Introduction

Christian spirituality describes a quality of life or a collection of practices that, according to Christian theology, fosters responsiveness to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Christian Godhead. Christians believe that spirituality or spiritual practices, which range from prayer to seeking justice, not only cultivate their love for God, but they also foster love for neighbor and true selfhood—the optimum state of individual flourishing.

While Christian spirituality, due to the early influence of Greek philosophy, has sometimes been identified with escaping or denying this life and body for a heavenly realm, in its fullest expression it is concerned with enhancing and completing embodied human life. Irenaeus, the second-century bishop of Lyons, proclaimed, “The glory of God is humanity fully alive,” which identifies human flourishing with God's glory. Christians expect that connecting their lives to the Spirit's activity of embodying God's love in the world will culminate in the Kingdom of God, in which all creatures embody the purposes of God and their deepest yearnings.

Christian understandings of spirituality have as sources the stories of God's work in the world, as contained in the Bible and elaborated by theologians, but also the concrete practical experiments of Christians throughout history. A more complete grasp of Christian spirituality requires an articulation of its Trinitarian theological context and its particular practices.

Major Practices

The Mass is the most important, central, and sacred act of worship in the Catholic faith. The key to this understanding is the belief by Catholics that the bread and wine are transformed into the body and blood of Christ, the Holy Eucharist. This transformation can only occur by means of the Mass, so therefore, Catholics offer the same degree of reverence and adoration that is due God the Almighty. Because of the significance of the Mass, it serves as the primary worship ceremony for the Catholic Church and is celebrated all over the world, in exactly the same way, every day of the week.

To understand the Mass is to understand Catholicism because it exemplifies the beliefs, actions, and techniques associated with the faith. For example, more than just mere physical attendance of the congregation is required at a Catholic Mass. By singing, praying, speaking, sitting, and kneeling, Catholics fully, actively, and consciously participate in the celebration. Through these series of interactions, an intimate communication is established between the priest and the people. Another key aspect to understand about the Mass is that it is not just a reenactment of the Last Supper. In the Mass, the past, present, and future are all united at the same time. The past is remembered by reciting the words of Jesus, “This is my body, this is my blood.” Graces, spiritual nourishment, and instruction for the people participating are offered in the present, whereas the future foreshadows the sacred banquet in heaven.

Because the Mass is so critical to Catholic worship, it is referred to as the sacred rite, or the formal, official worship service of ...