The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Aquinas 101)

Summary

In this insightful exploration of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the video explains how the Holy Spirit, alongside the Father and Son, dwells in the hearts of those in a state of grace. It distinguishes between theological virtues—faith, hope, and love—and the seven gifts that inspire divine action beyond human reasoning. Drawing on St. Thomas Aquinas' teachings, the video illustrates how these gifts perfect virtues and prepare individuals to follow divine promptings. The analogy of honeybees acting by instinct highlights the supernatural guidance believers receive, emphasizing the balance of free will and divine influence in pursuing God's plan for salvation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Holy Spirit is promised by Jesus to dwell in the hearts of those in a state of grace, bestowing sanctifying grace.
• 🎁 The Holy Spirit brings seven distinct gifts that allow individuals to act in a higher mode beyond the theological virtues.
• 🔍 The theological virtues of faith, hope, and love are infused into the soul by God and can be exercised freely by individuals.
• 🛠️ A virtue is defined as a stable disposition of the soul that enables one to act according to moral judgments.
• ✨ The gifts of the Holy Spirit, as described by St. Thomas Aquinas, are principles of action that prepare the soul for divine inspiration.
• 📜 Aquinas argues that every person in sanctifying grace receives the seven gifts necessary for their salvation.
• 💡 The gifts perfect the theological virtues, enhancing the ability to live in accordance with God's divine plan.
• 🌬️ The gifts can be thought of as 'sails' on a ship, readying individuals to be moved by the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
• 🐝 The gifts provide a divine instinct that guides believers in actions aligned with God's plan, similar to how bees act by instinct.
• ⛪ Understanding the distinction between virtues and gifts is crucial for comprehending how the Holy Spirit works in the life of a Christian.

Q & A

What does Jesus promise regarding the Holy Spirit?

Jesus promises to give us the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the hearts of all in the state of grace.

What are the theological virtues mentioned in the script?

The theological virtues mentioned are faith, hope, and love.

How are the gifts of the Holy Spirit different from the theological virtues?

The gifts of the Holy Spirit enable us to act in a higher mode than the theological virtues, inspiring and moving us divinely according to God's higher plan.

What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit according to Christian tradition?

The seven gifts are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.

How does St. Thomas Aquinas describe the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

St. Thomas Aquinas describes the gifts as stable dispositions that prepare the soul to be inspired and moved by the Holy Spirit.

What analogy does St. Thomas Aquinas use to explain the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

He compares them to sails on a ship, which do not create wind but prepare the ship to be moved by it when the wind blows.

How do the gifts of the Holy Spirit relate to salvation?

Aquinas believes the gifts are necessary for salvation because they prepare individuals to follow God's divine plan, which transcends human understanding.

What does Aquinas mean by 'divine instinct' in relation to the gifts?

Aquinas refers to 'divine instinct' as the promptings from the Holy Spirit that guide us in ways our reason may not fully comprehend.

How does the behavior of honeybees illustrate the concept of the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Like honeybees acting on instinct without deliberation, individuals inspired by the gifts of the Holy Spirit follow divine impulses directed by God's plan.

What is the ultimate purpose of the gifts of the Holy Spirit for a Christian?

The ultimate purpose is to enable Christians to act freely and in accordance with God's will, leading them towards salvation and fulfillment of His divine plan.