Hospitality and Mercy Based Spiritual Gifts

Last week we learned more about Craftmanship and Servant Leadership based spiritual gifts. As we near the opening of the 2025 Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope, let us focus this final week on mercy and hospitality based spiritual gifts or charisms.

These charisms are:

• Caregiving

• Generosity

• Hospitality

• Mercy

• Service

  
  
  
  
  
  

For those of you scored high in these, here's what it means for you:

Caregiving

Do you have what it takes to care for others in their time of need, no matter how messy or heart breaking it may be? Are you the kind of person who has a passion for aiding the sick, rescuing animals, working disaster relief? If you are a doer rather than a thinker, and feel that you can best serve God's church and your community by giving back and taking care of those who can't do for themselves, you have the gift of caregiving. You see the problems and needs of others, and willingly ease the burdens and provide relief to those in distress. You also have the ability to do these things in a manner that is most efficient and easy on those receiving the care.

You can find many ministries that involve Caregiving. Some examples could be: Martha Ministry, Meals on Wheels, Outreach to the Homebound/Elderly, Soup Kitchen/Pantry, Animal Rescue, Outreach to Street Youth.

 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ - Matthew 25:35-36 NIV

Generosity

Are you the kind of person who puts others first, without thought of recognition? The Holy Spirit gives those with this charism an ability to offer themselves up in this selfless manner. You have an overabundant willingness to be cheerful and generous in you time, efforts, money and other resources. You have a passion for giving back to others in any way that you can find. This requires an unwavering trust that God will always provide, so you never fear being left without. You are someone who enjoys doing community service and helping others whenever you can.

You can find many ministries that involve Generosity. Some examples could be: Knights of Columbus, Habitat for Humanity, Holiday Fair/Church Festivals, Catholic Daughters of America.

 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.  For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. - 2 Corinthians 8:2-5 NIV

Hospitality

If you are always worrying over others and trying to make sure they are happy and comfortable, you might have the charism of Hospitality. There exists an entire industry devoted to just this kind of work. The need is also there in the Church and general community as well. Are you usually the first to welcome a stranger? Do you like to make sure others are well fed and taken care of? This kind of devotion to others, when done with total enjoyment and service, is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

You can find many ministries that involve Hospitality. Some examples could be: Holiday dinners for the Poor, Ushers/Greeters, Hospitality Sunday Breakfasts, Nursery Volunteer, Hosting Small Faith Groups.

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. - Hebrews 13:1-2 NIV

Mercy

Such a small name for such a powerful gift. Those with this gift have received an ability of deep empathy and compassion to help those who are weak and suffering. The Holy Spirit allows people with this charism to devote their time and energy to alleviating the suffering of others. You have the passion to forgive those who have made mistakes, aid those in crisis, aid the sick, make peace, and comfort the grief of others. Sometimes people need a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen. Sometimes they just need a hug. You instinctively know what they need and do your best to be there for them.

There are many ministries that involve Mercy. Some examples could be: Social Justice Ministry, Spiritual Counseling, St. Vincent de Paul, Nursing Home Ministry, Funeral Ministry.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. - Romans 12:14-16 NIV

Service

This gift is exactly what it's called. You joyfully and happily 'pitch in' where needed. You have a knack for identifying the problems and necessities of others. You don't need to offer solutions or answers, but a willingness to work with people to get things done, no matter the size or depth of the task. You show up just to help, every time. This is more than just a good deed to you, but a part of who you are. You are the first person others think to call when they need help with any activity.

There are many ministries that involve Service. Some examples could be: Church Office Help, Holiday Fair/Church Festivals, Martha Ministry, Outreach to Persons in Need, ACTS, Habitat for Humanity.

In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.  - 2 Chronicles 31:21 NIV

Take the Spiritual Gifts quiz and find out what your charisms are!

The San Pedro Roman Catholic Church as both an online and printable inventory.

Click the button below for the link to their site page with instructions and the quiz.

Click Me

As we conclude our series on Spiritual Gifts, what did you think of the Charisms the Holy Spirit has given you?

Let me know what you think of the hospitality and mercy gifts. Are they what you thought they would be?