Finding Your Spiritual Gifts and the Witness of Grandparents

Sandy Wanzeck loved hearing Bible stories as a child. When she had children of her own, she began studying scripture so she could pass it on. Sandy tells Sarah Christmyer that she learned first-hand how the Holy Spirit uses spiritual gifts to build up the Church and describes how to recognize the gifts in your own life. She shares how her favorite Bible verse helps her find peace.

Sandy Wanzeck teaches Scripture in the Lay Division of the St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver and is a certified “Discover your God-given gifts” instructor. She contributed several reflections to the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible, including some on spiritual gifts and on the armor of God. Check out Sandy’s blog posts on scripture and to register for the July 22, 2023 online grandparents workshop.

Take Sandy’s Favorite Scripture to Your Next Holy Hour

Pray: Come, Holy Spirit, open my heart and mind to hear your word today.

Read the Word: Philippians 4:6–8

(Read it in your own Bible to get the context, and so you can make notes.)

Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  

Ponder the Word: Read several times, lingering where it touches your heart. What catches your attention? What do you hear the Lord saying to you?

Pray with the Word: Bring to the Lord what you have heard, and talk to him about it. Ask for his grace. Thank him for his loving care.

Live the Word: How does what you read touch your life? What can you do this week to put it into practice?