Pentecost: 1 Corinthians 12:7 To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.
We are all, each of us, filled with the Holy Spirit by virtue of our Baptism, and sealed with the Spirit at our Confirmation. It is given to us for some benefit for the good of others. What would your life look like if you embraced that truth and surrendered to the Holy Spirit with boldness and courage? Your life would be so filled with joy that you couldn’t help but praise God and love your neighbor.
A couple of the fruits of the Spirit are generosity and kindness (Gal 5:22). An attitude of generosity is the heart of stewardship. We gratefully receive God’s gifts. We manage them faithfully. And out of kindness, we care about what is best for our neighbor. Our trust in God to provide and our obedience to His word drives us to generously and courageously share our material resources to make sure our most vulnerable neighbors are fed, clothed, housed, educated – in other words – loved. Their lives change for the good. The health of our cities is improved. Our world becomes a better place. If all of us would respond to God’s love, heed the promptings of the Holy Spirit, step out in faith and give to the needs of the poor, we would change the world. We would literally renew the face of the earth (Ps. 104:30).
Photo Credit: Robert Davis
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