The Gift of Understanding  

Understanding is just that: the gift of understanding the truth God has revealed. We may learn and grow up believing many doctrines of our faith that “just don’t mean anything” to us. They don’t excite us, give us joy, or motivate us to do anything. For them, we don’t have, or have not used, the Gift of Understanding. 

We have to seek to find (Matthew 7:7). If we don’t look closely, we won’t see clearly. But when we want to appreciate what we believe, the Gift of Understanding casts light on what we read and opens our minds to what we hear. 

When we read Scripture, the Gift of Understanding lets us enter into the mind of God. When we understand the words we hear at Mass, they are mind-blowing. The prayers we say daily grow in meaning as we grow in understanding. They, in turn, inject meaning into our lives. More and more, we begin to “rejoice in the truth” (1Corinthians 13:6). We know what it is to ” walk in the light” (John 8:12).  

To use the Gift of Understanding: Pay attention to the words of prayers, Scripture, the Mass, sacraments, and homilies. Think about what they mean. Do the same for all the “doctrines” you have learned. Ask for light to see what difference they should make in your life, and how you can respond to them in your choices. Understanding is the Gift for discipleship. The “3 R’s” of discipleship are Read, Reflect, and Respond. The Gift of Understanding works through them. 

— 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.