Christians Live by The Spirit 

Christianity is the gift of divine Life. We live no longer by the flesh—human nature alone—but by the Spirit.  

Paul says, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.” It is those who are “led by the Spirit of God” that we recognize as “children of God” (Galatians 5:25; Romans, chapter 8). 

Therefore, Christians should not focus on a living good human lives according to the Ten Commandments. That is to live a sub-Christian life. Christians are called—and empowered—to live divine lives according to the New Law of Christ. 

To do this we need, and are given, the seven “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” prophesied in Isaiah 11:1 (Vulgate version). Four help the intellect to function divinely: Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, and Counsel. Three empower the will: Piety, Courage, and Awe of the Lord. They are listed, but not defined, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1831.  

If we use the Gifts to live by the Spirit, then the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) should be visible in our comportment and make it evident our lives are divine. 

Obviously, if we are serious about living by the Spirit, we need to know what each of these Gifts helps us do, and how to make the best use of them. For the next seven reflections we will focus on the Gifts. Then we will look at the Fruits. 

PRAYER: Send forth your Spirit, Lord, and our hearts will be regenerated. And you will renew the face of the earth. 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings on the USCCB website here

Easter season is the time to focus on the Holy Spirit. Starting on Easter Sunday, we will look carefully at how the Spirit is proclaimed, invoked, and presented to us in the Mass. Lex orandi, lex credendi: “As the Church prays, so she believes.”

After that, we will reflect on the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 11:2; Galatians 5:22), and at how the Spirit enters the life of those who believe.

As you read these reflections, ask for the gift of Understanding. Ask to really understand what you believe, what you see and hear at Mass. Go deeper into understanding the Mass than you ever have before. We experience the Faith when we become aware of its mystery. We hope you reflect deeply on the Mass and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and find yourself more and more drawn into the mysteries of our Lord in the Mass and in His Gifts.