Charisms of the Spirit

Introduction

In this session we’ll explore the free gifts of charisms distributed by God through the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the Church. First, we will discuss the concept of charisms—what Sacred Scripture has to say about them, and how they contribute to the Body of Christ. Unlike sanctifying grace, which is given for our own growth in holiness, a charism is given to us so that we may put it at the service of others, for their edification and upbuilding. Charisms are as diverse as the members of Christ’s Body. Sacred Scripture lists numerous charisms, including speaking in tongues, healing, prophecy, evangelization, leadership, teaching, and preaching, just to name a few.

Charisms play an integral role in the life of the Church, and their importance has been attested to throughout her history. Many early Church Fathers expected charisms along with the believer’s reception of God’s grace and exhorted those preparing for baptism to ask the Lord to give them his gifts. Dr. Healy will recount how St. Augustine at first felt that miracles were only necessary for the apostolic age and not for his own time, but he changed his mind when he saw how many miracles were happening in his own church. Dr. Healy will then look at more recent statements of the Church on charisms and gifts.

Finally, Dr. Healy will discuss the institutional and the charismatic dimensions of the Church, which are complementary ways in which the Spirit works. In the institutional dimension, the Holy Spirit works through the hierarchy and sacraments. In the charismatic dimension, the Holy Spirit works through the charisms and gifts he bestows on individual believers. We see both dimensions at work in the Acts of the Apostles. The Apostles preach and teach, and many come to faith and are baptized and share in the breaking of the bread, the Eucharist. Acts also describes the gifts and charisms of both the Apostles and these new disciples. The Holy Spirit blesses St. Paul’s missionary work by sending many gifts and charisms on the new Christian communities he establishes, and Paul routinely reports and submits his work to the Apostles and the Church.

Throughout history God has provided for his people, caring for and guiding us through both the Church hierarchy and our encounters with fellow pilgrims on our journey. Together these sources of God’s love work to guide us to our true home with him in Heaven.

Sharing

Have you ever been told you are gifted in some area? How have you used that gift in the world?

Some participants may never have really thought of themselves as having any great gifts, but likely everyone has been complimented on something. Some may have a gift for music, which they use by participating in a choir. Some may have a gift of athletic ability, which they use either by playing on a team or by coaching youth sports. Some may have a passion for knowledge, which they use in homeschooling, or helping their kids with homework or in leading a Bible study, etc. Some may have a gift of cooking, which they use for their family, for entertaining, and for bringing meals to the sick. Some may have a gift with mechanical things, which they use for their family but maybe also for helping others.
Think of a time you experienced an extraordinary gift in someone else. How did it make you feel?

Example answer: When we first moved to a new parish, we walked into social hall after Mass. Immediately we were approached by a couple who were amazingly hospitable. They welcomed us, introduced themselves to our children, and shared with our teens opportunities for them in our community. They made us feel very special and like we belonged. They introduced us to other families, gave us their own tickets to a parish fundraising dinner as a gift, brought us a meal, and opened their home to us. In the four years we’ve lived here, I’ve witnessed this couple treating several other new members of our church with the same hospitality. Their example is remarkable, and the impact they had on our family continues to this day.

Part 1: The Spirit and His Gifts (17:16)

Charisms Appear Immediately in Acts
1. At Pentecost—tongues, prophecy, evangelization
2. Throughout Acts—healing, miracles, teaching, preaching, evangelizing, leadership
3. Charisms part of normal Christian life
St. Paul on Charisms (1 Corinthians 12–14)
1. Charism—Greek meaning “gift freely bestowed”
2. Variety of charisms throughout Scripture
3. Charisms are supernatural gifts; newly given or enhancement of a natural gift elevated to supernatural level
4. Supernatural interaction between God and believer in charism’s use
5. Sanctifying grace vs. charism
  1. Sanctifying grace is for own growth in holiness
  2. Charisms are gifts to be put at service of others
6. Charisms teach us to be dependent on one another, (1 Corinthians 12:17-18)
7. Charisms are not a reward for or measure of holiness; but holiness does help revent/correct abuses in use of charisms
8. Role of leadership is to equip faithful, including identifying and calling forth charisms.
9. Still higher way… love (1 Corinthians 13);

What is a charism? Can you list some of the charisms that Dr. Healy mentions? Can you share a time you have seen charisms exercised?

From the Greek, charism means “gift freely bestowed.” A charism is a supernatural gift given freely by the Holy Spirit for the building up of the Body of Christ. It can either be a newly given supernatural gift, or a natural gift that has been elevated to a supernatural level. Some examples of various charisms include prophecy, exorcism, miracles, speaking in tongues, protection from evil, healing, service, teaching, exhortation, contributing (financially), leadership, acts of mercy, marriage, celibacy for the kingdom, wisdom, knowledge, faith, discernment of spirits, interpretation of tongues, etc. Participants may have been to a prayer meeting where tongues or prophecy were exercised; others may have seen or read about healings; others may know someone whose service or acts of mercy for others is truly done supernaturally; etc.
What is the difference between a charism and sanctifying grace received at Baptism?

Sanctifying grace is given by the Holy Spirit at our Baptism and strengthened at our Confirmation, that we might grow in holiness. Charisms are not for our own use, but are intended to be given away, to be put at the service of others. We receive charisms for the express purpose of serving others.
What is the role of leadership in the Church regarding charisms? What role do charisms play in the Body of Christ?

The role of leadership is to prepare the faithful and send them out into the world to build up Christ’s kingdom. This role includes helping the faithful discern their charisms and to invite them to put them to use in service of the Body of Christ.

Part 2: Charisms in the Early Church (15:54 / To be skipped for this discussion)

Part 3: Institutional and Charismatic (16:10)

Two Complementary Ways the Spirit Makes the Church Holy
1. Institutional—from above, through hierarchy/sacraments
2. Charismatic—from “below,” through every cell in body through the charisms he distributes
3. Complementary work of the Spirit and not participating in mission of the Church
4. Vatican II reminds believers they receive charisms and they are to use them to serve the Church (Lumen Gentium, 12)
How Do We See This in Acts?
1. Prophecy commonly given in Acts
2. Agabus prophesies famine (Acts 11:27-28)
3. St. Paul’s arrest prophesied (Acts 21:9-11)
4. Prophecy often for encouragement and understanding; prophecy not giving new revelation
5. Prophecy used to direct the Church (Acts 13:1-4; 16:6-10); do we seek God’s direction?
6. St. Paul follows direction of Spirit, but also reports back and submits his work to the Church

What are the two complementary dimensions of the Church that Dr. Healy discusses? According to Pope St. John Paul II, why are these two co-essential?

The two dimensions are institutional and charismatic. Through the institutional hierarchy and sacraments of the Church, the Holy Spirit guides the Church from above. By distributing charisms to the faithful, the Holy Spirit guides his Church from every cell of the Body of Christ. These two means of guidance complement one another and envelop Christ’s Church in grace. Pope St. John Paul II notes that through both dimensions the Holy Spirit guides the Church in the present world (Message for the World Congress of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities, 5).
What happens when the charismatic dimension is neglected? What can you do to not neglect the charismatic dimension in your own life and parish?

When the charismatic dimension is neglected, the faithful tend to see themselves as simply receiving from the Church and not participating in the Church’s mission. Vatican II reemphasized the work of the Holy Spirit through his gifts and charisms and reminded the faithful of the need and responsibility of every member of Christ in the Church to make use of the charisms they are given to build up the Church and extend the Kingdom of God. In our own lives and parish we can avoid neglecting the charismatic dimension by not only receiving the Lord in the Eucharist, but by also taking more seriously the concluding words of the Mass to “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord” or “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life,” by actively sharing the Gospel and our gifts with those we come in contact with throughout the week.

Reference

Formed.org