The Blessed Trinity
and Our Christian Vocation
The Blessed Trinity
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
The Holy Spirit
Third Person of the Blessed Trinity
Chapter Objectives
The student will be able to understand:
• Christ’s final preparation of
his Apostles
• The election of St. Matthias
• Pentecost
• The Holy Spirit and human
knowledge of God
• The Sacrament of
Confirmation
• The Holy Spirit in the life of
the Church
• The Holy Spirit and Sacred
Scripture
• The nature of the Holy
Spirit
• The gifts of the Holy Spirit
• The gifts of wisdom,
understanding, counsel, and
fortitude
• The gifts of knowledge,
piety, and fear of the Lord
• The fruits of the Holy Spirit
Keys to Chapter 6
• At Pentecost the Church received the Holy
Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit helps people see God in
creation, in the Scriptures, and in their lives.
• The Holy Spirit generously gives the Scriptures,
virtues, gifts, and fruits.
For Discussion:
•
•
•
•
What happened to the Apostles at Pentecost?
Who is the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the
Church and in the Christian life?
continued
For Discussion:
• What are the gifts and fruits of the Holy
Spirit? When and how are they received?
• In what way is the Holy Spirit the Lord and
Giver of Life, the Consoler, and the Sanctifier?
• What is the sin against the Holy Spirit for
which there is no forgiveness?
Pentecost: The
Foundation of the Church
Lesson Objectives
•Christ’s final preparation of his Apostles
•The election of St. Matthias
•Pentecost
Pentecost: The Foundation
of the Church
Basic Questions
What is the importance of the forty days during
which Christ appeared to his Apostles between his
Resurrection and Ascension?
As he had spent forty days in the desert in preparation
for his public life, Christ gave his Apostles a forty-day
period of preparation for their public ministries between
his Resurrection and Ascension.
Pentecost: The Foundation
of the Church
Basic Questions
What is the significance of the election of St.
Matthias?
As they awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit, the
Apostles, led by St. Peter, elected St. Matthias to be the
successor to the office, or bishopric, of Judas in order to
restore the apostolic college.
Pentecost: The Foundation
of the Church
Basic Questions
What happened at Pentecost following Christ’s
Ascension?
The Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles during the
Jewish feast of Pentecost, giving birth to the Church as
the Apostles became courageous and gifted preachers.
Guided Exercise
Conduct a think/pair/share using the following
question:
How is the biblical pattern of forty repeated with Christ
and his Apostles after the Resurrection?
Anticipatory Set
Incorporate the account of Pentecost (Acts
2) into the Opening Prayer and then discuss
the following question:
How did the Christ’s disciples change after the
Descent of the Holy Spirit?
Focus Question
Though they accepted them with faith, why
were Christ’s disciples not able to understand
the full meaning of his words?
The Holy Spirit had not yet come to them.
Focus Question
What did St. John the Baptist prophesy Christ
would do with respect to Baptism?
“He who is mightier than I… will baptize you with
the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Lk 3:16; cf. Mt
3:11).
Focus Question
When did the first Revelation of the Blessed
Trinity occur?
Immediately following the Baptism of Christ, the Holy
Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove, and
a voice from Heaven was heard to say, “This is my
beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” In this
scene were God the Son, the voice of God the Father,
and God the Holy Spirit in the form of the dove.
Focus Question
At the Last Supper, whom did Christ promise
to send to his Apostles?
He promised to send the Holy Spirit, whom he
called the Counselor, who would teach them and
guide them in the way they should go.
Focus Question
Specifically, what did Christ say the Counselor
would do for the Apostles?
The Holy Spirit would “teach you all things, and
bring to your remembrance all that I have said to
you” (Jn 14:26).
Focus Question
Where did Christ remind the Apostles the
Holy Spirit would come to them?
He would come in Jerusalem; where they were to
wait.
Focus Question
What did Christ teach the Apostles between
his Resurrection and Ascension?
He spoke of the Kingdom of God.
Focus Question
What were the Apostles to do after they had
received the Holy Spirit?
They were to be Christ’s “witnesses in Jerusalem and
in all Judea and Samaria” and to the end of the
earth” (Acts 1:8).
Focus Question
How is the cenacle the first Christian church?
The upper room is where Christ had celebrated the
Last Supper. Here the Apostles, with the Blessed
Virgin Mary and other believers, gathered to pray
every day, and here the Holy Spirit descended upon
the Church.
Focus Question
What is the significance of the number twelve
for Christ and the Apostles?
As there were twelve tribes of Israel, so there are
twelve Apostles who lead the Church.
Focus Question
What were the qualifications for Judas’s
replacement?
He had to be a disciple of Christ who was with
them, “beginning from the baptism of John until the
day when [Christ] was taken up from us,” including
having been “a witness to his resurrection” (Acts
1:22).
Focus Question
What is the meaning of office with respect to
Judas’s office in the Church?
The Greek is episkope, from which comes the
word episcopacy and the English word bishop.
Focus Question
What is the relationship between the Twelve
and the bishop of this diocese?
Every bishop is, by his office, a successor to the
Apostles due to the unbroken succession of bishops
from the Apostles.
Focus Question
What does Pentecost mean?
It is derived from the Greek for fifty because it was
celebrated fifty days after Passover.
Focus Question
What did the Jewish Pentecost celebrate?
It was a harvest festival and celebrated the giving of
the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai, which came fifty
days after the departure of the Hebrews from
Egypt.
Focus Question
How was the Jewish Pentecost like the Mass?
It included the reading of the Law and the offering
of sacrifices.
Focus Question
What did the Apostles do upon having
received the Holy Spirit?
They went out into the streets to proclaim the Word
of God and began to speak in other languages.
Focus Question
What did some people assume based on the
Apostles’ behavior?
Some thought they were drunk.
Focus Question
Why were there so many people in Jerusalem
who spoke foreign languages?
Jews from all over the world were celebrating
Pentecost.
Focus Question
What gift of tongues did the Apostles display at
Pentecost?
These Galileans spoke their own language but were
heard in the native language of each listener.
Guided Exercise
Complete a focused reading of the section
“Awaiting the Promised Spirit” (p. 194) using
the following question:
How did St. Peter behave like the rock upon whom
Christ would build his Church while the Apostles
awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit?
Focus Question
What does it mean to say the Church is the
Sacrament of Salvation?
She is the sign and instrument of communion
between God and men.
Guided Exercise
Complete a focused reading of Acts 2:1-4 using
the following question:
In what metaphorical terms is the Descent of the Holy
Spirit described?
Focus Question
How did the Descent of the Holy Spirit fulfill
Christ’s promise not to leave them?
He gave the Holy Spirit to the Apostles to establish
his Church, which is the principal means through
which Christ is present in the world.
Focus Question
Though the Apostles received the Holy Spirit on
the evening of the Resurrection, why did the
Fathers of the Second Vatican Council speak of
the Church’s birth on the day of Pentecost?
The Apostles received the Holy Spirit at first
privately. On Pentecost he was given publicly, which
is why Pentecost is considered the birthday of the
Church.
Focus Question
Who was present with the Apostles at
Pentecost?
The Apostles were with the Blessed Virgin Mary
and other disciples.
Perception of God
and Confirmation
Lesson Objectives
•The Holy Spirit and human knowledge of God
•The Sacrament of Confirmation
Perception of God and Confirmation
Basic Questions
What is the relationship between the Holy Spirit
and human understanding of God?
The Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Elizabeth, and St.
Simeon are examples of how the Holy Spirit enables
people to perceive God.
Perception of God and Confirmation
Basic Questions
What is the relationship between the Holy Spirit
and the Sacrament of Confirmation?
The Holy Spirit is received especially in the
Sacrament of Confirmation.
Anticipatory Set
Incorporate St. Simeon’s prophecy at the
Presentation (cf. Lk 2:22-35) into the
Opening Prayer and then discuss the
following question:
How is this moment the climax of St. Simeon’s life?
Focus Question
What is the first mention of the Holy Spirit in
the New Testament?
He is named at the Annunciation; “The Holy
Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the
Most High will overshadow you” (Lk 1:35).
Focus Question
What is the result of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s
yes?
The Holy Spirit made Christ incarnate in her
womb, bringing God to earth.
Focus Question
How is every person’s yes to God like the
Blessed Virgin Mary’s yes?
Each time someone says yes to the will of God, the
Holy Spirit in a sense makes Christ incarnate once
again by making him or her an instrument of
Christ in the world.
Focus Question
How was the work of the Holy Spirit evident
in the Visitation?
St. Elizabeth’s unborn child, St. John the Baptist,
was filled with the Holy Spirit and leaped with joy
in her womb when she heard the Blessed Virgin
Mary’s greeting. St. Elizabeth, herself filled with
the Holy Spirit, recognized her as the Mother of the
Lord.
Focus Question
How did the Holy Spirit enable St. Elizabeth
to perceive God?
Though there were no visible signs to indicate the
presence of God, the Holy Spirit opened her eyes to
the divine presence in the Blessed Virgin Mary’s
womb.
Focus Question
How did the Holy Spirit enable St. Simeon to
perceive God?
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he was led to the
Temple where he recognized the infant Jesus to be the
promised Messiah.
Focus Question
How does the Holy Spirit enable each person
to perceive the reality of who he or she is?
The Holy Spirit enables each person to perceive the
existence of sin in his or her life and the need for
Christ’s Redemption.
Focus Question
What does it mean to say the Holy Spirit
“convince[s] the world concerning sin”?
It means the Holy Spirit shows people the evil
contained in their sin.
Guided Exercise
Write about ways the Holy Spirit has helped
you see God’s presence in the world, in the
Sacraments, or in the Church.
Focus Question
In the New Testament, how is the Holy Spirit
bestowed on the followers of Christ?
It is through the laying on of hands.
Focus Question
What is simony?
It is selling spiritual goods for money or some other
gain.
Focus Question
What did Simon the magician wish to
purchase?
He desired the power of the Holy Spirit so he could
work wonders.
Focus Question
What is the Sacrament of Confirmation?
It is the bestowing of the Holy Spirit by the laying
on of hands as a completion of the Church’s
Sacraments of Initiation.
Focus Question
When was the Sacrament of Confirmation
bestowed in the early Church?
It immediately followed the reception of Baptism.
Focus Question
When is Confirmation ordinarily administered
in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church?
It is deferred until the person has reached the age of
reason.
Focus Question
According to the Catechism, no. 1285, what
obligation does Confirmation place on a
person?
He or she is obligated to spread and defend the
Faith by word and deed.
Graphic Organizer
Complete the following table about symbols of the Holy
Spirit (cf. p. 198).
Symbol
Water
Anointing
Fire
Cloud and Light
Hand
Dove
Origin of the Symbol
Meaning of the Symbol
Focus Question
What does it mean to be a temple of the Holy
Spirit?
Through the grace of the Holy Spirit given in
Baptism and Confirmation, the Father and the Son
are received, raising the recipient to a supernatural
level of divine life. Through the Holy Spirit, God
actually dwells in this person (the soul) as in a
temple.
Focus Question
How do the Church and the Holy Spirit work
together to give grace?
The Church is the visible dispenser of the
Sacraments. The Holy Spirit acts in the Sacraments
as the invisible dispenser of the life that they signify.
The Life of the Church
and the Scriptures
Lesson Objectives
•The relationship between the Holy Spirit and the life of
the Church
•The role of the Holy Spirit in the Holy Scriptures
The Life of the Church
and the Scriptures
Basic Questions
What is the relationship between the Holy Spirit
and the life of the Church?
The Holy Spirit give life to the Church.
The Life of the Church
and the Scriptures
Basic Questions
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the
Scriptures?
The Holy Spirit both inspired the authors of the
Sacred Scripture and reveals Christ in these
writings.
Anticipatory Set
Analyze the passage in the text from
Dominum et Vivificantem, 25 by preparing a
bullet-point summary of its main ideas.
Focus Question
What ultimate witness was each Apostle
enabled by the Holy Spirit to make?
Each was able to bear witness to Christ by
submitting to martyrdom.
Extension:
Although he faced martyrdom, St. John survived
and eventually died in exile.
Focus Question
What does Christ promise will happen if a
person is called to give witness to the Faith,
even to the point of losing his or her life?
No one should worry because “the Holy Spirit will
teach you in that very hour what you ought to say”
(Lk 12:12).
Focus Question
Who inspires each person to pray and teaches
him or her to do so?
The Holy Spirit inspires each person to raise his or
her heart and mind to God. The Spirit also helps
for “we do not know how to pray as we ought”
(Rom 8:26).
Focus Question
What are some spectacular phenomena said to
be inspired by the Holy Spirit?
Glossolalia, prophecy, interpretation of prophecy,
and healing can be inspired.
Focus Question
Why did St. Paul address these charismatic
gifts in his First Epistle to the Corinthians?
There were abuses or conflicts associated with them.
Focus Question
What is the reason for these gifts’ existence?
They are for the good of the Church.
Focus Question
What is the greatest gift of the Holy Spirit?
It is the love St. Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13.
Focus Question
Outside St. Paul’s letters, what are some
examples of charismatic gifts in the New
Testament?
The healings performed by the Apostles and the
“speaking in foreign tongues” after the Descent of
the Holy Spirit at Pentecost are charismatic gifts.
Guided Exercise
Conduct a think/pair/share using the following
question:
Why does St. Paul consider the gift of prophecy a
greater gift than speaking in tongues?
Guided Exercise
Complete a paragraph shrink of the paragraph
“The Holy Spirit sanctifies… (p. 202).
Guided Exercise
Analyze “Inspiring the Authors of Scripture (p.
202)” and make a bullet-point summary of
Catholic principles to understand the
inspiration of Scripture.
Focus Question
By what principle means does one come to
know the Person of Jesus Christ?
It is done principally through Sacred Scripture and
Sacred Tradition.
Focus Question
How does one get to know Christ in the
Scriptures?
He or she needs to study and meditate on the Bible.
Focus Question
What does it mean to say all Sacred Scripture
is one book, and this one book is Christ?
Every part of Scripture speaks of Christ, and
every part of Scripture is fulfilled in him.
The Work of the
Holy Spirit
Lesson Objectives
•The nature of the Holy Spirit
•The gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Work of the Holy Spirit
Basic Questions
What is the nature of the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the
Son, with whom he is consubstantial. He spoke
through the prophets of the Old Testament, is
revealed in the New Testament, and is manifested in
the life of the Church.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
Basic Questions
What gifts does the Holy Spirit give Christians?
The Holy Spirit gives the faithful the theological
virtues of faith, hope, and charity and the gifts of
wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge,
piety, and fear of the Lord.
Anticipatory Set
Incorporate into the Opening Prayer the list
of truths about the Holy Spirit under “We
know the Holy Spirit through the Church
(pp. 204-205).
Focus Question
What are some translations of the Greek
Parakletos, which is used by St. John to describe
the work of the Holy Spirit?
It is translated Counselor, Teacher, Advocate,
Intercessor, Helper, and Comforter.
Focus Question
How was the Holy Spirit active in the Old
Testament?
He spoke through the prophets.
Focus Question
What is the basic mission of the Holy Spirit in
the New Covenant?
He was sent by the Father and the Son to guide the
Church until the end of time.
Focus Question
How is the transforming action of the Holy
Spirit in the hearts of people primarily seen in
the New Covenant?
It is seen in the sacramental life of the Church.
Focus Question
What does it mean to proceed with respect to
the inner life of the Blessed Trinity?
The Holy Spirit proceeds eternally from the Father
and the Son, having his nature and subsistence at
once from the Father and Son.
Focus Question
Could a human being ever understand the
existence of the Blessed Trinity through
reason?
No; it has to be revealed.
Focus Question
What leads a person to accept truths not
knowable by reason?
The Holy Spirit leads him or her.
Focus Question
What does it mean to say the choice to be
baptized arises from the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit awakens faith in people and
communicates knowledge of the Father and the Son.
Faith is a gift from God.
Focus Question
What does it mean to say a person has been
elevated to the supernatural order?
It means he or she now has access to divine
assistance.
Focus Question
What is the principle of new life God places
in a baptized person’s soul?
It is called grace.
Focus Question
What three things does God give a newly
baptized person?
He gives grace, infuses the theological virtues, and
gives the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Focus Question
What is the purpose of the three gifts God
gives the baptized?
Through grace, virtues, and the gifts of the Holy
Spirit, the soul is capable of working toward
perfection.
Focus Question
What are the three infused theological virtues?
They are faith, hope, and charity.
Focus Question
Why are these called theological virtues?
Their object is God. Through faith, a life is centered
on God. Hope allows a person to move toward him.
Charity, or love, is the natural fruit of the
Christian life.
Guided Exercise
Conduct a think/pair/share using the following
question:
What does it mean to say the Holy Spirit is the last of
the Persons of the Holy Trinity to be revealed?
Focus Question
What is blasphemy?
It is to speak evil about or to attribute evil to holy
persons or things, especially God.
Focus Question
What did St. Thomas Aquinas mean by,
“excludes the elements through which the
forgiveness of sin takes place”?
The sinner refuses to accept the salvation God offers
through the Holy Spirit. In other words, the sinner
rejects the possibility he or she can be forgiven.
Focus Question
What is the difference between a habit and an
act?
A habit is a disposition of the soul (intellect and
will), which inclines us to act in a certain way. An
act is a freely chosen action, which is either a good or
evil action.
Focus Question
How does a person grow in meritorious acts?
The theological virtues make it possible with that
person’s cooperation.
Focus Question
What is the relationship between the
theological virtues and knowledge of God?
By practicing the theological virtues and living a
moral life, one is led to a deeper knowledge of the
mystery of God and his plan for our lives. This
leads to wisdom to appreciate and penetrate the
mysteries of God as a Trinity of divine Persons.
Wisdom, Understanding,
Counsel, and Fortitude
Lesson Objectives
•The gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and
fortitude
Wisdom, Understanding,
Counsel, and Fortitude
Basic Questions
What are the gifts of wisdom, understanding,
counsel, and fortitude?
The gift of wisdom enables a person to enjoy the
presence of God. The gift of understanding helps to
discern divine truths. The gift of counsel makes wise
decisions easier. The gift of fortitude gives strength of
character.
Anticipatory Set
Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-19, 30 (p. 206) and
write about what you think St. Paul is saying
about wisdom.
Focus Question
What are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit?
They are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude,
knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
Focus Question
How do the gifts of the Holy Spirit relate to
the theological virtues?
They complete and perfect the theological virtues.
Extension:
The gifts of the Holy Spirit enable people to receive and
readily obey the promptings the Holy Spirit sends in
grace. They make people more attentive to the voice of
God and make it easier to follow his plan in life.
Focus Question
Who possesses the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Every baptized person in the state of grace possesses
them.
Focus Question
What does it mean to say grace builds on
nature?
Divine assistance does not take the place of human
power but augments it.
Focus Question
How is St. Simeon (cf. p. 207) an example of a
person with the gift of wisdom?
St. Simeon was able to perceive the presence of
Christ in what otherwise seemed to be an ordinary
newborn child.
Focus Question
What does the gift of wisdom do to a person’s
vision?
It opens his or her eyes to the reality of God in the
world.
Focus Question
What does the gift of understanding help to
do?
It helps to penetrate the divine truths revealed by
God so a person can appreciate the fullness of the
Faith.
Focus Question
What does the gift of understanding help a
person comprehend?
It helps understand Sacred Scripture, Christ’s
Presence in the Sacraments, the signs used by God to
reveal his presence in the world, and the events in
each person’s life.
Focus Question
How can a person cooperate with the Holy
Spirit to increase the gift of understanding?
He or she should pray, study, and meditate on Our
Lord’s words, the Church’s teachings, and the events
of daily life.
Focus Question
What does the gift of wisdom help a person
know?
It helps to know God himself, what comes from him,
and what leads to him.
Focus Question
How does wisdom relate to taste?
The Latin word for wisdom is sapientia, which is
derived from the verb to taste. Taste judges food, and
wisdom judges experience, whether they taste of God
or not.
Focus Question
How can a person increase in the gift of
wisdom?
He or she loves God and receives grace through the
Sacraments, prayer, and good works.
Focus Question
How do both St. Philip and the Ethiopian
eunuch (cf. p. 208) display the gifts of
understanding?
The Holy Spirit, acting through St. Philip, unveiled
the meaning of the Scriptures to the Ethiopian
eunuch. Because he understood Jesus to be the
Messiah promised in the Old Testament, the
Ethiopian asked to be baptized.
Focus Question
How did St. Stephen (cf. p. 210) exemplify the
gift of fortitude?
He bore witness to Christ to the point of becoming
the first martyr.
Focus Question
What does the gift of counsel help a person
do?
It helps to judge promptly, correctly, and according to
the will of God which actions are for the glory of
God and for salvation.
Focus Question
How does the gift of counsel relate to the
virtue of prudence?
The gift of counsel helps to know what should or
should not be done in situations requiring a moral
decision.
Guided Exercise
Study the Prayer to the Holy Spirit (p. 206) and
write a simple definition of each of the seven
gifts of the Holy Spirit derived from that
prayer.
Guided Exercise
Read Luke 12:16-21 and then review the quote
from 1 Corinthians used in the Anticipatory Set
(p. 206).
Write how the rich man might have behaved
differently if he had received the gift of
wisdom.
Guided Exercise
Answer the following question:
How can the four gifts studied in this lesson help to
know, choose, and persevere in your vocation, whatever
that might be?
Focus Question
What does the gift of fortitude help a person
accomplish?
It gives strength and courage to endure long and
trying difficulties and to complete the tasks
undertaken in the service of God.
Focus Question
How was the gift of fortitude evident in
Pentecost?
The Holy Spirit filled the frightened Apostles with
courage.
Focus Question
How did St. Maximilian Kolbe (cf. p. 209)
exemplify the gift of counsel?
He imitated Christ in his devotion to the Blessed
Virgin Mary, dedication to prayer, apostolic zeal,
absolute reliance on divine providence, and especially
in his willingness to sacrifice his life for another.
Knowledge, Piety, and
Fear of the Lord & The
Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Lesson Objectives
•The gifts of knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord
•The fruits of the Holy Spirit
Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord &
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Basic Questions
What are the gifts of knowledge, piety, and fear
of the Lord?
The gift of knowledge permits a person to use created
things wisely. The gift of piety makes a person know
God as Abba, Father. The fear of the Lord ensures
a person will serve God faithfully.
Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord &
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Basic Questions
What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit?
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, modesty, chastity,
and goodness are the fruits of the Holy Spirit,
supernatural works that flow from the Christian life.
Anticipatory Set
Paraphrase Romans 11:33-36.
Focus Question
How does the gift of knowledge assist the
natural knowledge of God?
The gift of knowledge enables a person to discover
the supernatural truth contained in God’s creation
and the path he or she should follow on the journey
to Heaven.
Focus Question
Why is detachment necessary in order to use
created things as God intended?
If one is attached to created things, they will be more
important than they really ought.
Focus Question
How does the gift of knowledge differ from
science?
Science is used to discover reality by investigating
material causes. The gift of knowledge is used to
discover God’s intention with respect to material
things.
Focus Question
What doctrine does the gift of piety teach?
It teaches the meaning of divine filiation, the joyful,
supernatural awareness of being a son or daughter
of God and a brother or sister of all people.
Focus Question
Why does the gift of piety naturally lead to
love of God?
Piety helps to see how God is merciful to his
children, so they can be confident when approaching
him.
Focus Question
Why should the gift of piety change the way
others are seen?
If each person is a child of God, all people are
brothers and sisters.
Focus Question
How was the gift of piety seen in the life of
Bl. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa)?
She lived the teaching of Christ; “As you did it to
one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to
me” (Mt 25:40). She loved Christ in the sick and
the dying and thereby treated them with dignity as
sons and daughters of God.
Guided Exercise
Conduct a think/pair/share using the following
question:
How did God’s name become progressively more
accessible from the Old Testament to the New?
Focus Question
How did the early Christians understand the
purpose of material goods?
They knew material wealth had been given to them
to use for the glory of God.
Focus Question
How is the Church’s historical care for the
poor a sign of the gift of knowledge?
Throughout the ages, members of the Church have
understood one of the best uses of wealth is to assist
the poor.
Focus Question
What does the gift of knowledge help a
person judge?
It helps to judge the true value of the things
encountered in life.
Guided Exercise
Conduct a think/pair/share using the following
question:
Why is fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom?
Focus Question
What does the word fear mean in fear of the
Lord?
It means awe, reverence, and respect. It is the
recognition of a just God who has authority over all
creation.
Focus Question
What is fear of the Lord?
It is a sense of sovereign respect in the presence of
an all-powerful and loving God.
Focus Question
How does a person view sin in light of the gift
of fear?
The gift of fear leads him or her to know the evil of
sin and, therefore, to detest it.
Focus Question
How does the gift of fear change people’s
attitudes toward God and themselves?
The gift impresses upon the heart a spirit of
adoration of God and profound and sincere
humility in regard to self.
Focus Question
How is the fear of the Lord like the
relationship between a child and his (good)
parents?
A child inherently acknowledges the parents’ right to
make decisions. There is also an understanding
disobedience will be punished and such punishment is
just and proper. However, the primary relationship is
defined by a profound mutual love; love of the parents
for their child and of the child for his or her parents.
Focus Question
What two attitudes can a person have toward
obedience and respect for parents and God?
He or she may act out of love and respect or out of
fear of punishment. Acting out of love is by far a
superior motive, but both motives are correct.
Focus Question
What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit?
They are the natural effects of the gifts of the Holy
Spirit, the acts or works that flow from living the
Christian life.
Focus Question
Are the fruits of the Holy Spirit self-directed or
other-directed?
They are directed toward love of neighbor.
Therefore, a person who possesses these gifts is otherdirected.
Graphic Organizer
Complete the following table about the fruits of the
Holy Spirit.
Fruit
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Generosity
Explanation
Example
Graphic Organizer
Complete the following table about the fruits of the
Holy Spirit.
Fruit
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control
Modesty
Chastity
Goodness
Explanation
Example
Focus Question
How did St. Therese act as a child of God?
She relied on God for everything and was confident
God loved her even though she was imperfect.
Focus Question
What is acknowledged about God and
neighbor through the gift of piety?
God is Our Father, and all people have dignity as
sons and daughters of God.
Focus Question
How is true love proactive?
Love looks for the opportunity to show itself in
deeds.
Focus Question
Does true love of neighbor fulfill Christ’s Law
of Love?
Yes; those who truly love their neighbors fulfill the
law perfectly; they love as Christ loves.
Focus Question
How is Christian love seen in human history?
It is shown forth in the spiritual and material works
of Christians throughout the centuries.
Focus Question
Is it possible to fulfill the Law of Love
perfectly?
No; the grace of the Sacraments and the gifts of the
Holy Spirit assist if someone sincerely commits himor herself to keeping the moral law.
Focus Question
What transformation do the followers of
Christ seek?
As disciples, they want their hearts and minds to
identify with those of Christ so they may
increasingly love, think, and act according to Christ’s
example and teachings.
Focus Question
How did St. Faustina live humility?
She was assigned the lowest tasks at her convent.
Focus Question
How did St. Faustina experience fear of the
Lord?
When she had a vision of God, she experienced
both fear and joy.