Choose a topic from Part 2B:

9. The Gift of Knowledge

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.

"The Lord has always revealed to mortals the treasures of his wisdom and his spirit, but now that the face of evil bares itself more and more, so does the Lord bare his treasures more."
St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church

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"As the flesh is nourished by food, so is man supported by prayers"
St Augustine

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"Those who love God are always happy, because their whole happiness is to fulfill, even in adversity, the will of God."
St Alphonsus de Liguori

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