May 21, 2010
The Bishop's Forum
The Seven Gifts of Pentecost — and the Strategic Planning Process
by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
Last week we celebrated the Ascension of the Lord. It is always fascinating to imagine being in Bethany and to witness Jesus leaving to return to His Father in heaven.
It is even more interesting to notice what the Apostles were thinking as Jesus was about to leave. They were so concerned about their own needs they didn’t seem to recall what was happening even after Jesus had told them. They asked when He would restore Israel to its former status. They were preoccupied about their own wants rather than the the mission that Jesus had just given them: “Go teach all that I have taught you . . .”
We are not different from the Apostles and Disciples of Jesus. We are prone all too often to be so self-concerned we miss the message. Planning for the future demands of us all an openness to change — some changes most welcome and some not so welcome. We must not allow ourselves the luxury of demanding that our personal wants be met at the expense of the needs of our parishes, schools and diocese.
Jesus spoke so often in parables. The parable of the vine and the branches included the need for pruning the branches that the vine may produce more fruit. So each of us must be prepared for the necessity of some pruning in our diocese. That is why we must daily turn to the Holy Spirit to re-invigorate the gifts we received in Baptism and Confirmation.
They are seven: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude (or courage), knowledge, piety, and reverence (or fear of the Lord).
Essays on each of these gifts of the Holy Spirit are often written by candidates for Confirmation. Chapters in books examine each of them. For us, these are the gifts that will assist us as we are engaged in the strategic planning process.
The noted Stephen Covey has as one of His Seven Habits of Highly Effective People to begin a project with the end in mind. The end we have in mind for our planning process is to re-energize our parishes and diocese to more effectively live out the mandate of Jesus to proclaim the Good News to the entire world; to be faithful witnesses in all we do and with all whom we meet.
We will need to draw on all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit if we are to be successful. The Apostles did not know what was out in front of them, nor do we. This is all the more reason for us to activate those gifts, already in our hearts. To do so we must courageously turn to God in prayer daily:
“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
V. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created.
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray!
O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Next week: The Seven-Fold Gifts of Pentecost