The Gift and the Gifts 

Now there are gifts. They are called charisms, sometimes.  There are many of them. St. Paul mentions about fifteen. What is the difference between the gift and the charisms? In theology we make a distinction between gratia gratum faciens and gratia gratis data. Gratia gratum faciens is that which makes us pleasing to God. That is the gift, that is grace. Gratia gratis data is the charism. Preaching is one charism. Would you believe that administration is another? What is the difference between the gift and the charism? The gift makes us pleasing to God, and the charism makes us helpful in relationship to others. To others: that is the point. For example, I have the charism of preaching.  People think I am holy. I talk about holy things. So they say, 'He must be a holy priest.' Not necessarily. There are some who worked miracles in the Old Testament that were not too holy. That's another one of the charisms. If there is any holiness in me, it is not because I exercise that particular charism. As a matter of fact, I know a hundred actors who could do better than I am doing. If there is to be any holiness, it has to be before I come into the pulpit and after I leave it. There I am just exercising a gift that God gave. And he could take it away.