Santifying and charismatic graces

[filipea]

Hi everyone!

I found a article that says:

Grace is any gift from God to us. There are two great categories or groups of graces: sanctifying, and charismatic.

LINK

But, I can’t find any church documents that divide graces in this way. Anyone could help me with this? I also would like to know if the charismatic graces is only for the benefit of the church or it can benefit the person that have it.

Thank,
God Bless.

 

[bmullins]

2003 Grace is first and foremost the gift of the Spirit who justifies and sanctifies us. But grace also includes the gifts that the Spirit grants us to associate us with his work, to enable us to collaborate in the salvation of others and in the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church. There are sacramental graces, gifts proper to the different sacraments. There are furthermore special graces, also called charisms after the Greek term used by St. Paul and meaning “favor,” “gratuitous gift,” "benefit."53 Whatever their character - sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues - charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church. They are at the service of charity which builds up the Church.54

53 Cf. LG 12.
54 Cf. 1 Cor 12.

 

[Ambrosian]

Dear friend

We might say that sanctifying grace is the very life of God poured into the soul to make him a new creation, “divinised” by theosis. This is the Eastern view, but I think it is the right view. God wants so much more for us than merely to “attach” us via some created thing - He showers His Very Self on us with sanctifying grace. It is the Life of the Light of Lights! Sanctifying grace is “God from God”, of God, for each individual man to be able to dwell in His Glory.

We might say that charismatic graces are gifts, helps, “pushes”, or aids from God. Being able to say “you’re crazy” in English and have a German hear “du bist verrückt!” is not essential to your salvation; however, it may be a tool that is helpful for the German man’s salvation, because his faith was weakening and your gift was a miracle to him. The charismatic graces are not for ourselves, but for the edification of others.

 

[twf]

A more traditional term for “charismatic graces” is actual graces - which are just what Ambrosian describes above.

 

[filipea]

Alright! Thanks everybody!

The charismatic graces are primary for the building of the church, right? It can sanctifying the individual that posses it?

Another question: When we receive a charismatic grace? A person that was not baptize can receive a charismatic grace (i.e. healing, tongues, prophecy) ?

And, the Holy Spirit could continue to dwell in us when we committed a mortal sin (when are private of the sanctifying grace)?

God bless!

 

[Ambrosian]

Hmm, maybe there is a distinction between charismatic and actual graces.

An actual grace can be received by anyone, even if he is in mortal sin; after all, if he did not receive the grace to remember confession, he would not be able to get out of mortal sin! If I had not received actual graces from God to have faith and be baptised, I would not have done so. He pushes the conscience of every person, I think.

A charismatic grace is probably only received by the baptised… those who were not baptised on the Pentecost day of St. Peter’s sermon and the conversion of the 3000, did not understand what was going on at first. All the Apostles were baptised already, and they alone had the marvelous tongues, ability to heal, and other such things.

Sanctifying grace cannot be called singular or plural; it is simply the Lord God living in you.

Someone get a true theologian!

Filipea, the Holy Spirit is God. He does not dwell in the soul who has pushed Him away with mortal sin. He dwells only in pure, holy places - never those which are defiled. Confession and penance are His entry points!

 

[filipea]

Hi Ambrosian

Thanks again!

A charismatic grace is probably only received by the baptised…

But not necessary in his/her baptism, right?

I read about the pagan Balaam (Num. 22) who had the charisma of prophecy. And also in the gospels we find Jesus saying that:

He knows not those who have done evil, though they may have prophesied in His name, cast out devils in His name, and done many wonderful works.

It’s a quite complicated for me understand when and who exactly could received a charismatic grace… Other alternative is that the daemon can give these powers to some people?

Thank,
God Bless.

 

[bmullins]

Anyone God decides to give them to can receive a Charismatic grace. They are most often associated with baptism and following, but anyone can receive them if God deems it necessary for edification or a sign. In the book of Acts we see that people received the Holy Spirit before baptism and began to speak in tongues.

[bibledrb]Acts 10:44-47[/bibledrb]

The only prerequisite to a Charismatic gift is being filled with the Holy Spirit. Baptism in the Catholic church confers that Holy Spirit so we know for sure that someone who has been properly Baptized can receive these gifts if God chooses (no one is guaranteed a Charism.) But the Holy Spirit can come on anyone that God chooses.

 

[filipea]

Hi bmullins

Acts 10:44-47 (Douay Rheims)

44 While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word.

45 And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished, for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also.

46 For they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God.

47 Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we?

So, it’s true to say that a pagan could receive a charismatic grace if God wishes?

In the case of the biblical passage above (Acts 10: 44-47), the gentiles still needed a baptism for they were already filled with the Holy Ghost? If the gentiles were not baptize they will not have The Spirit inside them? We can say that they will only have that kind of charisma (tongues)?

Thanks very much!

 

[filipea]

Help please!

 

[Mintaka]

Okay, let’s say you’re stuck in the middle of the desert. You’ve got no food, no water, no money, no phone, no house, no car, and you’re dying.

Suddenly somebody drives by in his car, picks you up, and gives you snacks and drinks and a ride out of the desert.

Suddenly there you are, dropped off in downtown Los Angeles. You still don’t have food or water (other than what’s in your belly), a car, a house, a phone, a job, or money. You’re not dying anymore, but you’re not really able to go on without help, either.

Pagans and unbelievers and the unbaptized can get many graces, that do many good things. There’s nothing wrong with that; and God is generous to help. But in general, if you want your life to change permanently, you want to be plugged into the grid of grace that God has set up for us, His Church.

Anyway… the poster above is totally right about some graces being mostly for others.

 

[Mintaka]

Here’s what Fr. Hardon’s theology dictionary says:

Sanctifying grace: “The supernatural state of being infused by God, which permanently inheres in the soul. It is a vital principle of the supernatural life, as the rational soul is the vital principle of a human being’s natural life. It is not a substance but a real quality that becomes part of the soul substance. Although commonly associated with the possession of the virtue of charity, sanctifying grace is yet distinct from this virtue. Charity, rather, belongs to the will, whereas sanctifying grace belongs to the whole soul, mind, will, and affections. It is called sanctifying grace because it makes holy those who possess the gift by giving them a participation in the divine life. It is zoē (life), which Christ taught that he has in common with the Father and which those who are in the state of grace share.”

Actual grace: “Temporary supernatural intervention by God to enlighten the mind or strengthen the will to perform supernatural actions that lead to heaven. Actual grace is therefore a transient divine assistance to enable man to obtain, retain, or grow in supernatural grace and the life of God.”

Charisms: "Literally “gifts of grace” (charismata), described by St. Paul as gratuitous blessings of an extraordinary and transitory nature conferred directly for the good of others. Indirectly they may also benefit the one who possesses the charisms, but their immediate purpose is for the spiritual welfare of the Christian community.

“Depending on the classification, the charisms are variously numbered. The longest single enumeration is in St. Paul (I Corinthians 12:1-14, 40). Spiritual writers often list five categories, based on the Pauline writings and the Acts of the Apostles, namely charisms of instruction, administration, miracles, service, and prayer.”

 

[filipea]

Thank you!

God Bless,
Filipe.