The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

1.         I see the gift of the Holy Spirit working in my life through counsel. As a Peer Minister I have noticed the spiritual calling that is a necessary component in performing my role as a leader. It is imperative that I express counsel because despite my urges to do the wrong thing, because it is only better for myself and the community if I set the right example. I am a leader among my peers as a Peer Minister. I set the example through preparing for Masses, organizing retreats, and leading prayer for the community. I also serve as a mentor to my peers to supply them with a student confidante to advise and uplift them. It is also my job to counsel by bringing the community together with God as the driving force that binds us as a family.

            I have seen the gift of piety working in my life when I do service. Piety is the ability to serve God, which transpires to his children when I serve them as well. I had the great privilege to really focus on the heart of service when I went on the Holy Cross Immersion trip this past March. I went to different sites over the course of four days, and after, I had to reflect on my experience and relate it back to God. More often than not, I do service without tying God back into the equation. I become so consumed with the task itself that I forget to maintain the sacredness in doing service. Throughout the trip I was able to learn that the content of service is not always the center of everything. It is important to engage in an activity that will help someone’s life, but it doesn’t always have to be this extravagant thing. My problem during the trip was that I believed I was doing too much gardening, and I did not understand how gardening was going to help improve someone’s life. I slowly came to learn that it wasn’t just about gardening but it was about our heart’s intent and our willingness to forget about our worries to combat someone else’s. The purpose of helping others is because I am a steward of the earth who serves God when I also serve my brothers and sisters. In conclusion, when I serve, piety should be the mission and the one thing that I strive to not only do for a certain amount of hours, but every day.

2.         I need understanding the most because in a world where I am always in contact with people it is a helpful tool to be able to understand people. When I am able to understand someone I am more capable to give them what they need. In order to love someone it is necessary that I can understand them before truly being able to love them. When I can understand someone I am able to tend to their needs to infiltrate the affection and care that I
 have for that person. As I experience relationships with friends and family throughout my life, I want to gain more understanding in order to strengthen the bonds through the ability of deciphering one’s feelings in order to love them and treat them better.

            As a current Peer Minister, it is necessary that I am capable of understanding a student’s situation even if I do not fully agree with it. Things such as Kairos serve to bring students more aware of their lives, of the direction of their lives, and of the direction of their relationship with God. As I heard stories on my November Kairos I realized how important it was to understand someone’s situation and the feelings despite my personal views. Because when I was able to understand the person’s situation, I was more capable of responding to them in the form of heartfelt consolation.

            I also need understanding of my relationship with God in order to deepen our bond. I need to understand what God needs from me in order to carry out his mission for me. If I am able to allow his grace to come into my life, then I think that I will be able to understand my calling and find more strength in our relationship.