Holy Spirit, Give Your Gift of Counsel

2 Peter 3:9

 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. And then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise. And the elements will be dissolved with fire. And the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.

"At the heart of faith is the act of trust in the wise providence of an all-loving God. Trust in God casts out worry and anxiety about the future . . . He offers the Gift of Counsel to help us choose the good He wills for our happiness . . . With those who have no faith, God is never a factor in formulating their plans. But, with those with faith, no area of life is outside of God's wise providence."

Most Rev. Arthur J. Serratelli, p. 42-43

"The Gift of Counsel: A Guide to the Present"

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Micaiah, King Johosephat, King Ahab, and the False Prophets

Actions of the Holy Spirit as Advocate ("The Paraclete")

• To speak in support, as a counselor would do in a defense case
• To exhort or urge
• To put courage in the faint-hearted
• To make the ordinary person struggle valiantly in battle
• To lead into all truth

Counsel (a Supernatural Gift) with Prudence (a Natural Virtue)

The Holy Spirit's gift of counsel does not exempt us from exercising the natural gift of prudence . . . With his gentle presence within us, the Holy Spirit brings the natural virtue of prudence to a supernatural level with his gift of Counsel. St. Thomas Aquinas: The gift of counsel = the perfection of prudence.