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.
"To do God's will -- this was the goal upon which the saints constantly fixed their gaze. They were fully persuaded that in this consists the entire perfection of the soul. "
St Alphonsus de Liguori
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"This is the greatest wisdom -- to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. "
Thomas á Kempis
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"Whom do you seek, friend, if you seek not God? Seek him, find him, cleave to him; bind your will to his with bands of steel and you will live always at peace in this life and in the next."
St Alphonsus de Liguori
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