Sandwiched between St. Paul’s sermon on spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, and his correction of abuses of sign gifts in chapter 14, is perhaps the most beautiful treatise on love ever written. Should you have all the “best,” most visible gifts, should you know and understand everything there is to know and understand, should you be martyred — none of it profits you nor anyone else a thing, if not rooted in love.
If the subject of spiritual gifts is new to you, the process of discerning your gifts may be confusing or overwhelming. What a comfort to realize we ultimately only need to “do” one thing: abide in love.
So, what is love, really?
Take the spiritual gifts inventory quiz and learn about the gifts.
Thank you to my newest Friends of the Show Sania K; Monica J; Trena W; Cyndy Mc; Joene M; Barbara O; and Mary C, for loving and lifting me! Friends of the Show get all Premium Content and monthly meet-ups with Sonja: We’re starting our Bible study on the Book of Romans next month!
LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.
L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)
O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
What is the most impactful thing you have learned throughout this series on spiritual gifts? Are your spiritual gifts beginning to manifest more clearly? Have you drawn closer to the Holy Spirit? Perhaps this prayer by St. Bonaventure can help draw you more deeply into the love of the Holy Trinity: “Holy Spirit, I love you; Holy Spirit I invite you; Holy Spirit I expect you.” Come Holy Spirit!
V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
E | Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of Your love, and there shall be a new creation, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Amen. +
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What We Discussed | Show Notes
Overview:
Minutes 00:12:00 – fanning our gifts into flame (1 Tim 4:14, 2 Tim 1:6)
Minutes 12:01-24:00 – St. Paul addresses abuses of sign gifts; 1 Corinthians 13
Minutes 24:01-36:00 – defining “love,” agape = treating others better than they deserve when it’s in their best interest
Minutes 36:01-48:00 – renewing the church
Resources
Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, Pope Paul VI
On the Vocation and Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World, Christefideles Laici, Pope John Paul II
Fruitful Discipleship, Sherry Weddell
Iuvenescit Ecclesia, The Relationship Between Hierarchical and Charismatic Gifts
in the Life and the Mission of the Church, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith