The gift of the Spirit constitutes in a real way an immediate entry into eternal life; for by virtue of the indwelling Spirit the Christian shares in God’s own divine nature.
The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are received by virtue of the sacrament of Baptism and increased through the sacrament of Confirmation. What are these gifts? What are they about? Let’s take a brief look at them.
The Ascension of the Lord: You are Witnesses of These Things
Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord, that moment when our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father, where he intercedes for us as the Sovereign Lord of the cosmos, as the one mediator between God and men (1 Tim 2:5).
The Catholic Proposal: Jesus Christ is Lord
The Catholic proposal articulates God’s plan for man to share in his own blessed life. This plan is made possible by Jesus Christ and entrance into the Church through the sacrament of Baptism. Through repentance, faith in Christ, and Baptism, men become the adopted children of God, and thus heirs to the kingdom of God.
Lazarus and the Rich Man, Heaven and Hell
The parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man reminds us that hell is a real danger. If we reject helping those in need, we might find ourselves permanently residing in the netherworld, pleading for a drop of water to cool our tongue.