This year, as I mentioned at our last gathering, I wrote a new Novena to the Holy Spirit, for our Community, that honors the nine Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)

and the nine Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12)

We will send out each Day’s Novena Starting today for nine days (like we did with the Surrender Novena) until next Saturday, the eve of Pentecost. I encourage us all to pray and reflect on this Novena together as a Community, that the Power of the Holy Spirit would produce the Gifts intended for the building up of the Church and the fruit that Glorifies Him in each of us and in the Mission of our Community. I hope you are blessed by this new prayer- Jeff L

We read in 1:Corinthians 12 about the “extraordinary” gifts of the Holy Spirit. These  Charismatic gifts of the Spirit are distributed as the Spirit wills and are bestowed by Him upon the believer for the “common good” (1 Cor 12:7).

These gifts are intended for the building up of the Church, and we are supposed to “earnestly desire” them! (1 Cor 12:31)  This verse continues and says, “but I will show you a more excellent way….”What is that more excellent way?  Love.  

1 Corinthians 13 begins, “If I speak in the tounges of men and Angels but I have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal”.

We may earnestly desire the charismatic gifts, but if we do not exercise them in love, we are not anointed, but “annoying". Love is the way.  Love is not a “gift” per se, it is the way we distribute the graces and gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of others.

The fruit of love allows the Gift of Prophecy to flow to others as edification, encouragement, and comfort (1 Cor 14: 3).   Prophecy builds the body of Christ and Prophecy in Love is “the better way”.

Holy Spirit, I desire to Love others as you love. In my strength, I do not have that ability. I need your Grace to love others and to use the gifts you have given me, in love. Help me to hear you, and to recognize your voice amid the noise of my life.   Speak your will to me that I may grow in the gift of Prophecy, according to your will, in order to edify, encourage, and comfort others.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
 And kindle in them the fire of your love.
 Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
 And you will renew the face of the earth.
 
 Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit
 you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
 In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right
 and always rejoice in your consolation.
 We ask this through Christ our Lord.
 Amen. Come Holy Spirit!