The Gift of Knowledge

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 affairs and situations of life; he is equipped to do this by the gift of knowledge.

The gift of knowledge is concerned with human and created things inasmuch as these pertain to the faith in anyway.

The gift of knowledge is primarily of speculativeknowledge, for it deals with certitude in judging what things are in the light of faith. But all knowledge of creatures that refers to God and the faith must indicate, in some manner, what a person is to do as he strives to walk in the way of such knowledge. Therefore, the gift of knowledge is not entirely speculative; it is also practical.

The third beatitude, “Blessed are they that mourn,for they shall be comforted,” corresponds to the gift of knowledge. For knowledge of creatures in reference to God, and inthe light of faith, is knowledge of how man fails through creatures, and loses his true good by putting his trust in them. Hence, knowledge involves sorrow for sin-that is, fruitful mourning.