I - The Gift of Love - otherwise known as CHARITY - is a Divine VIRTUE that God gives to us to Love Him above all things, and our neighbor as ourselves.
1. We believe this to be the Truth. Jesus brings these words to reality, by showing us how to love as an important part in our journey to become saints.
2. Jesus begins by teaching a summary of the Commandments to the Scribes. From generation to generation, the Scribes studied these words from Moses. It was a summary of the Ten Commandments, broken down into two sentences, quoting the Book of Deuteronomy 6:4.
“The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)
3. The authors of Sacred Scripture teach us how the Virtue of CHARITY is seen in action:
1. The action of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
2. Christ calls us to live in His Love (John 15:7-11)
3. Jesus also teaches us to Love One Another (John 15:12-17)
4. If you have forgotten the 10 Commandments, here is the full list:
1st - Love of God focuses on these three Commandments:
1. I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.
3. Remember to keep holy the Sabbath Day.
2nd - Love of Neighbor focuses on these seven Commandments
4. Honor your father and mother.
5. You shall not kill
6. You shall not commit adultery
7. You shall not steal
8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.
II - With this Virtue of Charity, the Holy Spirit gives you graces that strengthen your spiritual journey towards sainthood.
1. He gives to you actual graces to know what you must do, and act with love that will please God. But if you do not know God, and speak to Him, then your connection with God will be a struggle, a turning away, and a rejection of God's Love. It is about the Spiritual Journey in developing your relationship with Him during your preparation for Confirmation.
2. The Holy Spirit, which you will receive in Confirmation, will strengthen your mind by giving you the Light of His Understanding, as well as the will power to do good and avoid evil. That includes your personal rejection to not sin. Should you struggle or fall, the Sacrament of Confession will help you in to get back to God. He will even give you strength to come to Confession, knowing you need of Him.
a. Actual Grace stays with you all your life, so long as you need it to do good, and to avoid evil.
b. Along with this grace, the Holy Spirit gives to you Seven Gifts that will make you into an amazing person.
Think of it like Superman. What makes him amazing? The power of the Sun. For us, it's not just the Sun that gives us natural strengths (like Vitamin D), it is the Son who provides the Physical and Spiritual Strength to become Holy.
COME, O Creator Spirit blest,
And in our souls take up Your rest,
Come with Your grace and Heavenly aid,
And fill the hearts which You have made.
Great Paraclete! To You we cry,
O highest gift of God most high!
O fount of life! O fire of love!
And sweet anointing from above.
You in Your sevenfold gifts art known,
The finger of God's hand we own;
The promise of the Father, You!
Who dost the tongue with power endow.
Kindle our senses from above,
And make our hearts o'erflow with love;
With patience firm and virtue high,
The weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we
dread,
And grant us, Your true peace instead;
So shall we not, with You for guide,
Turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Your grace on us bestow
The Father and the Son to know,
And You through endless times confessed
Of both the Eternal Spirit blest.
All glory while the ages run
Be to the Father and the Son
Who rose from death; the same to You,
O Holy Spirit, eternally. Amen.
