Choose a topic from Part 2B:
1. Man needs a sound grasp of the truths of faith, and hehas it by the gift of understanding. And man also needs to makesure and right judgments, in the light of faith, in all the affairsand situations of life; he is equipped to do this by the gift ofknowledge.
2. The gift of knowledge is concerned with human andcreated things inasmuch as these pertain to the faith in anyway.
3. The gift of knowledge is primarily of speculativeknowledge, for it deals with certitude in judging what things arein the light of faith. But all knowledge of creatures that refersto God and the faith must indicate, in some manner, what a personis to do as he strives to walk in the way of such knowledge.Therefore, the gift of knowledge is not entirely speculative; it isalso practical.
4. The third beatitude, "Blessed are they that mourn,for they shall be comforted," corresponds to the gift ofknowledge. For knowledge of creatures in reference to God, and inthe light of faith, is knowledge of how man fails throughcreatures, and loses his true good by putting his trust in them.Hence, knowledge involves sorrow for sin-that is, fruitfulmourning.
"Spiritual persons ought to be equally ready to experience sweetness and consolation in the things of God, or to suffer and keep their ground in drynesses of spirit and devotion, and for as long as God pleases, without their making any complaint about it."
St Philip Neri
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"Obedience is the true holocaust which we sacrifice to God on the altar of our hearts."
St Philip Neri
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"It is not God's will that we should abound in spiritual delights, but that in all things we should submit to his holy will."
Blessed Henry Suso
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