What is a "Charismatic?"

Fr. Barry Burrus

In one sense, all Christians are "charismatics", since the Holy Spirit has imparted various kinds of charismatic gifts ("charisms") to each one as He wills (1 Cor. 12:4-7,11). I believe that there are an infinite variety of these gifts, ranging from the more common and ordinary to the more rare and extraordinary. A number of these gifts are highlighted in the Scriptures. It is especially those "spiritual gifts" listed in 1 Cor. 12 that have received new attention in our century through the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements in the churches. It is the prominent emphasis on these latter gifts and the promotion of the experience of being "Baptized in the Holy Spirit" that I believe would correctly identify someone who is involved in the "Charismatic Renewal." I believe the term "charismatic" can be applied equally in this sense to individuals, groups, communities, and spiritualities.

However, while I definitely encourage people to seek after these latter gifts and to be filled even MORE with the Holy Spirit, I want to emphasize that sometimes the focus has been too exclusively on the desire for these latter gifts without a correct appreciation for -- or seeking after -- the GREATER variety of gifts of the Holy Spirit. It should be more clearly recognized that ALL of the infinite variety of charisms are useful for the upbuilding and renewal of the Church!

It might be helpful to share what the new Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say about "charisms." The following is a quote from the Catechism, with the paragraph numbers indicated and the footnotes as given in the original listed:

Charisms

799: Whether extraordinary or simple and humble, charisms are graces of the Holy Spirit which directly or indirectly benefit the Church, ordered as they are to her building up, to the good of men, and to the needs of the world.
800: Charisms are to be accepted with gratitude by the person who receives them and by all members of the Church as well. They are a wonderfully rich grace for the apostolic vitality and for the holiness of the entire Body of Christ, provided they really are genuine gifts of the Holy Spirit and are used in full conformity with authentic promptings of this same Spirit, that is, in keeping with charity, the true measure of all charisms. (253)
801: It is in this sense that discernment of charisms is always necessary. No charism is exempt from being referred and submitted to the Church's shepherds. "Their office [is] not indeed to extinguish the Spirit, but to test all things and hold fast what is good, " (254) so that all the diverse and complimentary charisms work together "for the common good." (255)

(253 Cf. 1 Cor 13.)
(254 LG 12; cf. 30; 1 Thess 5:12,19-21; John Paul II, Christifideles Laici, 24.)
(255 1 Cor 12:7.)

May the Lord grant us more "charismatics" and charisms!

Fr. Barry Burrus
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Pikeville, KY, U.S.A.

BarryBur@aol.com