This charism empowers a Christian to be a channel of God's creativity by using words to create works of truth or beauty that reflect the fullness of human experience and bring glory to God.
Because we live in a time of nearly universal literacy, it is sometimes hard for us to see how writing can be a charism. Almost all of us are taught how to write as young children because it is an absolutely necessary life skill in our heavily verbal culture. How can we tell the difference between a skill that we have acquired and a spiritual git given by the Holy Spirit? In our actual lived experience, it can be difficult to tease apart our skills, our natural abilities and our charisms, but God has not left us without clues. Because charisms are intended to be vehicles of God's love and provision for the world, they cannot be used to serve ends that are in fundamental opposition to God's will. You can't use a charism of writing to create hate literature, for instance. If our writing is an expression of a charism, the purposes of God will be served by our words and there will be a lingering spiritual quality about the prose or poetry produced. However, this does not mean that a charism of writing can be used only to produce explicitly religious literature. J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of the celebrated fantasy series The Lord of the Rings, was a devout Catholic as well as a famous professor of English literature at Oxford. Tolkien had nothing but disdain for heavy-handed religious allegory that didn't respect the power and nature of good fiction. He once observed that "Hamlet is a play written by a man who, if he had had the talent, would have done better to write a fairy tale." There is nothing overtly Christian about The Lord of the Rings, and yet a deeply Christian worldview permeates the story. I have long heard of readers being converted to Christianity just by reading Tolkien's masterpiece, although the name of Christ is never mentioned. The hope, goodness, and spiritual depth of the faith are communicated indirectly by a piece of fiction and yet can touch the imaginations and spirits of some readers with a power that a straightforward essay or sermon could never achieve. Those of us who are seeking to discern between a charism of writing and a skill or natural ability might ask ourselves the following questions: Is writing a form of prayer or contemplation for me? Is it one of my favorite spiritual exercises? When I seek to express my love for god or serve the Kingdom of God, is writing one of the first activities that I turn to? Do others tell me that my writing has nurtured their faith, encouraged them to seek out the good and the true, brought then closer to God, or enabled them to live a more truly human life? there will always be a deep connection between our spiritual life and our charisms and often a prayer-like or contemplative quality to the exercise of our spiritual gifts. If that is missing, then we have reason to believe that however skilled we may be as a writer, we might not have a charism of writing. this charism empowers a Christian to be a channel of God's goodness through remarkable insight that enables him or her to come up with creative solutions to specific problems and make good decisions.
In both the Jewish and Christian traditions, Wisdom is regarded as one of the most important gifts that God can bestow. Wisdom is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in Isaiah 11:1-2. There are gifts of the Holy Spirit that we are given to keep and gifts we are given to give away. The traditional "seven gifts of the Holy Spirit" as well as the "fruits" of the Spirit are gifts given to us to keep. They are part of our inner transformation as Christians and provide the inner "Christ likeness" necessary for the effective use of our charisms (CCC, 1830-1832). In the Catholic understanding, wisdom is one of the seven gifts, along with understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. these gifts perfect the virtues of those who receive them, making Christians able to quickly obey the leading of the Holy Spirit (CCC, 1831). All Christians must exercise a role of discernment: making the best life decisions possible based on their knowledge of Christian revelation and of God's will written in their personalities, gift, and charisms, while also considering the input of wise, loving friends and the nature and needs of the times in which they live. it is important to distinguish between the charism of discernment of spirits, the charism of wisdom, and the role of discernment that every Christian exercises. The charism of wisdom is the special ability to receive inspired insights that enables a Christian to come up with creative solutions to specific problems and to make good decisions. The practical application of knowledge or principles in a specific situation is their forte. "Wisdom" people tend to make good decisions and are able to help others do the same. Christians with this gift are very appreciative of the spiritual wisdom to the Catholic tradition and enjoy solving practical problems by applying spiritual insights in creative ways. A Christian with this charism will usually be recognized as very perceptive by others, who will often seek to talk over problems or decisions with him or her. The charism of wisdom is more than normal human intuition, which is, itself, a wonderful creative force. Like all other charisms, wisdom is empowered by the Holy spirit and the insights received will always reflect the loving purposes of God. Wisdom is also different from the charism of knowledge. Those with the gift of knowledge are very focused on the big picture, the larger concepts and ideas. Christians with a charism of wisdom are much more interested in the specific and practical application of those big ideas. Know-ers see the whole forest ecosystem, while "wisdom people" are fascinated with its implications for a particular tree. Some Christians are given both charisms of wisdom and of knowledge, which make them unusually able to grapple with both fundamental ideas and their implications. This charism empowers a Christian to be a channel of God's truth and wisdom by enabling others to learn information and skills that help them reach their fullest spiritual and personal potential.
The joy of those with a charism of teaching is knowing that they have been a catalyst for the "ah-ha" experience in those they teach. Teachers are not only highly motivated to learn new ideas or skills; they are also constantly looking for effective ways to pass on what they learn to others. Teachers love to explain things and answer questions. As one teacher friend wrote to me: "I eat questions the way other people eat steak." teachers have a remarkable ability to explain complex matters in clear, interesting, and memorable ways. Most of all, if you have a charism of teaching, others will learn. of course, no one, no matter how gifted, hits a home run every time they get to bat. if you have a charism of leadership, not everyone will follow you, but many will. If you have a charism of teaching, not everyone you teach will learn everything you teach, but most will learn many things of real value. if others are not learning, you are not teaching, no matter how hard you are working or to what elaborate lengths you go to explain things. Christian teachers always exercise a charism of teaching as disciples of Jesus, but that does not necessarily mean that they must teach on only religious topics. All sorts of knowledge, arts, or skills that foster the full development or dignity of human beings and respect for the creation are proper material for the charism of teaching. Even when teaching seemingly "secular" topics, those with this charism can experience teaching and preparing to teach as a deeply prayerful act. it can be awe-full to watch the Holy spirit descend upon a class as you teach and to realize that once again something far more wonderful than anything you have prepared is reaching your students through the power of God. This charism empowers a Christian to be a channel of God's purposes by recognizing the logistical gaps or unmet needs that can prevent good things from happening, and by personally doing whatever it take to solve the problem and meet the need.
One of the most undervalued charisms is that of service. Christians with this charism see what the rest of us can so often miss-- the organizational roadblocks and practical gaps that keep good things from happening. they are gifted with a kind of radar that seeks out and anticipates potential logistical problems. those with a gift of service are also energized by the challenge of taking personal action to solve the problem they have recognized. these are the people who will set up chairs without being asked when the facilitator of a meeting falls sick, or will spot a vacancy in the schedule of users and voluntarily fill in for the missing person. People with the gift of service really know what it takes to get a job done and are personally willing to do whatever is necessary. usually able to turn their hands to almost any practical task, servers are the hard-working backbone of any community. They are usually deeply involved in their local parish or Christian community because they find it intolerable that things should not get done for want of a little "common sense" and elbow grease. of course, their sense is anything but common. When we exercise any charism, it can seem so natural to see what we see and do what we do that we may find it difficult to believe that other Christians can be honestly unaware of what looms so large to us. But they are! Our different charisms help determine the different needs we see and color the way we go about meeting them. However tempting it might be to write off other Christians who seem uninterested in our own burning concerns, they are not simply lazy or oblivious. it may be that they see other things because they have been given other things to see. "If all the members were alike, where would the body be? The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I do not need you,' any more than the head can say to the feet, 'I do not need you'" (1 Corinthians 12:19-22). the eagerness of servers to move in and solve problems that others have not yet recognized can sometimes irritate others-- who may feel that the server is exaggerating the need. Those around a person with a charism of service can also resent the eager confidence with which the server tackles the task at hand. The authority that comes with the gift may even be mistaken for an attempt to take over leadership of a situation or group. The bewildered server, who only wanted help, can find him- or herself perceived as a pushy busybody. One way to prevent this misunderstanding is for the server to first quietly alert those about them to the problem they see. When people have been first "sold" on the problem, they tend to appreciate rather than resent a solution. A server's energy can be mistaken for a charism of leadership or administration. While an administrator can happily delegate parts of a task to others, those with a charism of service find delegation frustrating. They don't want to coordinate some one else's work; they want to do it themselves. Servers tend to be practical rather than visionary. They should not be expected to come up with new visions or create new programs, but should be given free reign to do that at which they are so gifted; identifying and eliminating the logistical roadblocks that keep good things from happening. This charism empowers a Christian to be a channel of divine truth and wisdom by communicating a word or call of God to individuals or a group through inspired words or actions.
When we hear the word "prophet" today, we may think of someone like John the Baptist, wearing goatskins and "crying out in the wilderness" (Luke 3:4), or perhaps Isaiah or Jeremiah writing books, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that became part of Scripture. God is no longer adding to the deposit of faith which includes both Scripture and Tradition), but God is still speaking to his Church. "God who spoke in the past, continues to converse with the spouse of his beloved Son. And the Holy Spirit, through whom the living voice of the Gospel rings out in the Church--and through her in the world-- leads believers to the full truth, and makes the Word of Christ dwell in them in all its richness" (CCC, 79). There is a great deal of evidence from both the New Testament and Christian history that the charism of prophecy has continued to be given to individual Christian through the life of the Church. The charism of prophecy empowers a Christian to be a channel of divine truth and wisdom by communicating a word or call of God to individuals or a group through inspired words or actions. This does not mean that a prophetic word is infallibly true (its divine origin and truthfulness must be discerned by the Christian community in the light of revelation), or that its meaning will be obvious (it often isn't and can take a long time to understand), or that it will be concerned with predicting the future (it usually isn't). Christians with the charism of prophecy are not ecstatic visionaries. They are quite ordinary people who know that it is vital that God's people respond to his call today with their whole hearts and will do everything they can to make this clear to others. Though the charism of prophecy, God awakens his people to hear his word and unleashes the power of the Holy Spirit. Prophecy can take many forms: a prophetic exhortation that calls people to action; a "word of knowledge" or "word of wisdom" through which God reveals what he is doing (such as a healing) in the life of an individual or community; a prophetic prayer or song which is received from the Holy Spirit rather than composed; an interior vision (not an apparition); prophetic actions through which God's word is dramatized; or a message delivered in tongues and then interpreted. Christians with a charism of prophecy require a great deal of emotional and spiritual maturity and disinterested discipline if they are to be fruitful and effective. it is possible to unintentionally offer our own ideas as a prophetic word, or to a in a prophetic manner out of anger or in order to meet unconscious personal needs. Those with this charism must communicate the message that they have been given and then leave the results to God and the discernment of the Christian community. Like the charism of discernment of spirits, the charism of prophecy requires a great deal of on-going pastoral discernment and nurture if the community is going to fully benefit from this gift of God. This charism empowers a Christian to be a channel of God's creative goodness to others through writing or performing music for the delight of others and the praise of God.
Throughout Christian history, music has played a critical role in Christian worship, culture, evangelization, and community life. "the musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art" (CCC, 1156). Although liturgical music has played such an important part in the life of the Church, music does not have to be explicitly religious in nature to reflect the goodness and beauty of God. Any kind of music that fosters human dignity, delights and refreshes the heart and soul, or expresses a truth about our lives as men and women brings glory to the God who loves us. Of course, some people are born with a natural musical talent which can be used for either good or bad. For Christians with a charism of music, on the other hand, music is always a powerful expression of their faith and an important way to nurture their relationship with God. As St. Augustine cheerfully observed, "he who sings well, prays twice." Singing, writing, or performing music is one of the most fruitful forms of prayer for those with this gift. the music that flows from a charism, even if it is not religious in content, tends to call forth prayer and a spiritual hunger in those who hear it. This charism empowers a Christian to be a channel of God's goodness to others by effectively and joyfully using their charisms in a second culture.
The charism of missionary never stands alone. This gift enables a Christian to use his or her other charisms and talents in a different culture than the one in which he or she was raised. The culture and language of our childhood usually remains our "heart" culture and language for life; after early childhood it can be very difficult to master a second language or a new way of living and relating. Although some people have a natural talent for learning languages, most people living in a foreign century or among people of another culture never feel fully at home, despite their best efforts. However long they have been there, they remain cultural "outsiders" and are regarded as such by those about them. But those Christians who have been given a charism of missionary are able to enter into the hearts and minds of those from another culture with remarkable ease and grace. They do so in order to follow Jesus and be an agent of some good thing. Not only are they able to learn another language well, but they personally identify with the people of the second culture in remarkable ways. To exercise this charism, you certainly don't have to move to another country. It is now possible for most of us to relate to people of another language or ethnic background without straying far from our back door. Visitors, immigrants, and foreign students are all people whom Christians with the charism of missionary would like to get to know. They can get restless if forced to relate only to those of their own background. Men and women with this gift love to live cross-culturally and are remarkable effective channels of the love of Jesus when they do so. This charism empowers a Christian to be a channel of God's love through practical deeds of compassion that relieve the distress of those who suffer and help them experience God's love.
Catholic history is filled with innumerable men and women of great compassion who expressed their love of Christ primarily through their love of the poor and needy. the Catholic spiritual tradition has always taken the 25th chapter of Matthew to heart. Every Christian is expected to undertake the corporal works of mercy--feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Practical compassion is a way of discipleship open to all no matter what their situation in life. Like Mother Teresa, they recognize that their neighbor in need is Christ in a distressing disguise and that when they care for others, they are caring for Jesus. Although all Christians are called to be merciful, some are specially gifted and effective n this area. Those with a charism of mercy are deeply sensitive to the needs of the marginalized and oppressed in our midst. They have a remarkable ability to identify with the suffering of others, even though their own lives may have been untouched by misfortune. Their assistance is cheerful and effective. As any of us can attest, it is not always easy to know how to really help and comfort someone who is suffering; sometimes we become painfully aware that our well-meaning but clumsy efforts may have actually made the situation worse. One of the signs of the charism of mercy is a remarkable ability to bring genuine comfort and a sense of God's love to those who suffer. Christians with this gift are careful to respect the dignity of those among whom they work. Although those with the charism of mercy feel the pain of others deeply, they do not find working with the needy depressing or draining but rather mysteriously compelling, renewing, and fulfilling. They feel privileged to be allowed to minister to the poor and readily see and delight in the greatness of heart and soul that those who suffer often possess. The charisms of encouragement and mercy are often confused because they both involve great sensitivity to the feelings of others. but Christians with these two charisms respond to the needs of people in quite different ways. The first instinct of those with a charism of encouragement is to comfort a person in pain by means of listening and talking. For someone with the charism of mercy, talking is usually not enough. they want to do something concrete and practical to help. Deeds, not words, are the primary means by which God's love reaches the world through Christians with the charism of mercy. This charism empowers a Christian to be an agent of God's purposes by sharing a compelling vision of a better future with others and by directing the overall efforts of a group as they work together to make the vision a reality.
People with the gift of leadership are God's catalysts. it is strange but true that a group of highly intelligent and competent people concerned about a serious problem can find themselves just milling about hopelessly. But if someone with the charism of leadership is present and says "we can change this--and here's how," an amazing transformation can sweep the group. Pessimism is replaced by energy and hope, and suddenly people are moving into decisive action. That ability to communicate a compelling vision of a better future in a way that motivates a group of people to work with you to make the vision happen is the essence of the charism of leadership. Leaders are usually problem-discoverers-- they tend to look on the world about them with new eyes that see the unrecognized needs and then visualize new ways to meet those needs. Leaders come up with and share the vision of what could be in a way that makes others want to be a part. Leaders don't necessarily immerse themselves in all the details, but they do monitor the overall effort to make sure that the group's efforts are staying on course. Like any other human talent, natural leadership ability can be used for either good or evil. A charism of the Holy Spirit can never be misused so completely. It is designed for only one purpose, to be a channel of God's loving purposes and provision. Although the expression of a charism can certainly be seriously distorted by or own sin or unresolved personal needs, it can never be simply turned to evil. if we try to use a charism for evil purposes, it will simply wither and die. the closer we come to God, the clearer a channel we will be for God's purposes and the more God can give to the world through us. Although a lay Catholic often exercises his or her charism of leadership in a secular setting, he or she always does so as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Christian leaders call those about them to implement visions that honor God, foster all that is truly human, and respect the goodness of the creation. The charism of leadership should not be confused with the charism of administration. Administrators specialize in problem-solving, in efficiently meeting the needs that are already recognized. Administrators can make and execute the logistical plans that will make the vision happen. Leaders call us to God's purposes and set our overall direction; administrators get us there. This charism empowers a Christian to be a channel of God's truth through diligent study and intellectual activity that enables us to better understand God, ourselves, and the universe.
In a society where universal literacy is the norm and where a large percentage of the population receives some college-level education, it can be harder to discern a charism like knowledge. but may who consider themselves educated have little interest in ideas or the intellectual life once they leave school. Not so those Christians given the gift of knowledge. they are not just indulging a natural love of learning. Their Christian faith is nurtured by and expressed through the inspired pursuit of understanding. For those whit a charism of knowledge, ideas aren't irrelevant abstractions, but fascinating, living realities that are critical to Christian discipleship and the mission of the Church. These Christians would heartily agree that "all truth is God's truth." Those with a charism of knowledge usually love to learn through books. The book-lover's motto, "So many books, so little time," could have been written just for them. But they can also deduce principles and ideas from relationship with others and from all kinds of life experience. Christians with this gift are constantly aware of the "big picture," of the concepts or truths underlying individual actions or situations. If you want to broaden your mind, just hang around someone with this gift! The truth and wisdom that Christians with a charism of knowledge uncover is not their personal property. All charisms are ways in which God's provision reaches the world and so the fruits of all charisms really belong to our neighbors. it is very important that those drawn by the Holy Spirit to the life of the mind find ways to share their insights with the Church and the world. The whole Church is deeply indebted to great Christians like St. Thomas Aquinas, whose intellectual creativity renewed Catholic thought in a way that still makes a difference 750 years after his death. Christians with this gift are usually given other charisms, such as teaching, writing, prophecy, encouragement, or leadership, which enable the "know-er" to effectively share the knowledge that he or she has been empowered to acquire. Some Christians have experienced what is called "a word of knowledge," a sudden intuitive insight or idea through which the Holy Spirit reveals what he is doing (such as a healing) in the life of an individual or community. A "word of knowledge" is one way that Holy spirit reveals truth to us, but it is quite different from a charism of knowledge, which involves sustained intellectual work. For the purposes of this inventory, I have grouped what are known as "word of knowledge" and "word of wisdom" under the charism of prophecy. |
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