“What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”
Though princes meet and talk against me,
your servant meditates on your statutes.
Yes, your decrees are my delight;
they are my counselors.
R. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Stephen, filled with grace and power,
was working great wonders and signs among the people.
Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen,
Cyreneans, and Alexandrians,
and people from Cilicia and Asia,
came forward and debated with Stephen,
but they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
Do not work for food that perishes
but for the food that endures for eternal life,
which the Son of Man will give you.
Wisdom, Understanding and today – Counsel. I pulled the excerpts above from today’s readings. I think the readings today tie directly into what the true meaning of Counsel is – not so much as defined by Merriam-Webster’s, but more along the lines of the how the Church defines Counsel:
- Counsel allows a man to be directed by God in matters necessary for his salvation (II/II.52.1).
In doing some surfing on the web to find a “good read” to better explain the gift of Counsel, I was able to come across this paper written by Fr. John J. Hardon, S.J. As with my last post, the read on the link may seem a bit lengthy – after all he is a Jesuit – but it is also well worth the time as he does a beautiful job in explaining Counsel and how to incorporate that gift into our lives. You can read it here. Just a short excerpt from his paper…
“With the gift of counsel, the Holy Spirit speaks, as it were, to the heart and in an
instant enlightens a person what to do.” It is the gift that allows us as Christians
to be assured that we will act correctly in times of trouble and trial. Through
counsel, we can speak without fear in defense of the Christian Faith. Thus, the
Catholic Encyclopedia notes, counsel “enables us to see and choose correctly
what will help most to the glory of God and to our own salvation.”
Do something great for our Lord today – heed the advice of Peter and the Apostles offered in Today’s Gospel…obey God rather than men.
I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy Grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.
God’s will, not mine be done.
Be not afraid; just have faith.
Jesus, I trust in You.
He must increase; I must decrease.
Lord, if You wish, You can make me clean.
But you man of God chose righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience and gentleness. Compete well for the faith.
St. Mary Magdalen Men of God 