THE GIFT OF COUNSEL (3 OF 7)

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Those who desire to acquire wisdom must accept that there is always more to learn- a new way, a new thought - and that an open mind and a teachable spirit are both required for new journeys to be explored and discerned upon.

In the old days, kings consulted the prophets and the men of wisdom before making important decisions. God gives counsel to those who come to Him. Hebrews 4:16 shares with us that we can always take our thoughts to the Lord, approaching the Holy Throne of Grace, and lay them on His altar before we make any important decisions: "So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help."

With this sound gift of Counsel, we not only able to receive instruction, we are also able to assist our brothers and sisters in their time of need.

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE REFERENCES

Psalm 32:8: "I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk, give you counsel and watch over you."

Wisdom 9:13: "For what man knows God's counsel, or who can conceive what our LORD intends?"

2 Samuel 17:11-13: "This is what I counsel: Let all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba, who are as numerous as the sands by the sea, be called up for combat; and go with them yourself. We can then attack him wherever we find him, settling down upon him as dew alights on the ground. None shall survive--neither he nor any of his followers. And if he retires into a city, all Israel shall bring ropes to that city and we can drag it into the gorge, so that not even a pebble of it can be found."

Proverbs 15:22: "Plans fail when there is no counsel, but they succeed when counselors are many."

Tobit 4:18-19: "Seek counsel from every wise man, and do not think lightly of any advice that can be useful. 4 At all times bless the Lord God, and ask him to make all your paths straight and to grant success to all your endeavors and plans. For no pagan nation possesses good counsel, but the Lord himself gives all good things. If the Lord chooses, he raises a man up; but if he should decide otherwise, he casts him down to the deepest recesses of the nether world. So now, my son, keep in mind my commandments, and never let them be erased from your heart.

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

(CCC) REFERENCES

There are 10 references to Counsel in the CCC- 293, 712, 1589, 1730, 1743, 1831, 1845, 1900, 2230, 2823.

Those listed below are taken from the Index:

as a gift of the Holy Spirit, 1303, 1831.