by Fr. Gregory-David Jones, O.S.B.

     The Pentecost event was a pivotal point in the history of the Church as she received life to fulfill her mission.  This was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in which a sensational and unexplainable event took place.  However, for us in our day we receive the same gifts that the early disciples received, yet in a less dramatic fashion, through the sacrament of Confirmation.  Usually, we go through a time of preparation, attend a retreat and eventually stand before the Bishop and receive the sacrament through the laying on of hands and anointing with oil.  That’s it!  But does this mean that the manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our lives are less significant today?

     This brings us to the question, “What makes a manifestation of the Holy Spirit significant?”  Is it the emotional reaction it evokes?  Is it spectacular visual displays?  Is it something that can be measured quantitatively (such as a multiplication of food)?  Is it about breaking the rules of logic (such as speaking a foreign language without knowledge of that language)?  Or some combination of such considerations?      

     In the human mind these would seem to be the most important things to ponder in measuring the significance of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s gifts.  However, what ultimately makes anything significant is that it is a manifestation of God’s will.  Whether it be dramatic or not, the Holy Spirit’s gifts of wisdom, knowledge, courage, understanding, piety, right judgment and counsel are what brings salvation to the world.  This is the mission of every baptized and confirmed Catholic and accomplishing this task in the way that God disposes us is the most significant thing we should focus on.

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