Coming to the 14th station of his catechesis series on the Holy Spirit, the Pope spoke about the gifts and charisms that every Christian receives for his personal and community life. There are no B-category Christians. Lay believers and women are not helpers of the clergy, they contribute to the church’s mission with their specific charisma.
Ágnes Gedő – Vatican
There are differences between the gifts of grace, but the Spirit is the same. There are also differences in services, but the Lord is the same. And there are differences in the manifestations of divine power, but the God who accomplishes all this in everyone is the same. And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to everyone to use. But all this is worked by one and the same Spirit, who distributes his gifts to each as he wills. (1 Cor 12.4-7.11)
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Dear brothers! On the last three occasions, we talked about the sanctifying operation of the Holy Spirit, which is realized in the sacraments, prayer and following the example of the Mother of God – the Pope began his catechesis. The Lumen Gentiums. The synodal constitution (LG 12.) writes about this as follows: “The Holy Spirit not only sanctifies, guides and adorns the people of God with virtues through the sacraments and priestly services, but also gives his gifts to whomever he pleases” (1 Cor 12:11). So we also have personal gifts that the Holy Spirit gives us.
The Pope welcomes the pilgrims
Renewal after the Synod
It is time to talk about the other mode of operation of the Holy Spirit, which concerns the charisms. Two factors determine what charisma is. One is that it is a gift that we receive to be used by everyone. The other is a gift that we receive from God individually, each in his own way. Charisms are decorative elements that make the betrothed of Christ more beautiful. Pope Benedict XVI stated: “Whoever looks at the history of the post-Council era can notice the dynamics of real renewal, which often took unexpected forms in vibrant movements and makes the inexhaustible vitality of the Holy Church palpable.”
The role of lay people and women
We need to rediscover the charisms, so that the promotion of the role of the lay faithful, including women, is not only seen as an institutional and sociological factor, but also in its biblical and spiritual dimension. The laity are not the last, they are not the external collaborators or auxiliaries of the clergy. They have their own charismas with which they can contribute to the church’s mission, Pope Francis pointed out.
The Holy Father reads his catechesis
There are no B-category Christians
When we talk about charisms, it is important to dispel a misunderstanding: they are not spectacular and extraordinary gifts and abilities, but ordinary gifts, which are given extraordinary value by the fact that they are inspired by the Holy Spirit and lovingly embodied in life situations. It is important to understand charisms in this way, because many Christians feel sadness and disappointment when they hear about charisms. He is convinced that he doesn’t have one, that he feels left out or a B-category Christian. The Holy Father underlined: No, there are no B-category Christians. Everyone has their own personal and social charisma. He who has love does not possess much. This is why Saint Paul considers love to be the best way (cf. 1 Cor 12:31). This is why I love the church or the community in which I live. All charisma in unity is mine, just as all my charisma, however little it may seem, belongs to everyone, for the benefit of everyone. Love multiplies charisms: one person’s charisma becomes everyone’s – the Pope concluded his Wednesday catechesis.
Saint Peter’s Square with pilgrims
