Piety
Do you know someone you would consider pious? That person
may be blessed with the gift of Piety. I use the word “may” be-
61
the Latin pietas, which means affectionate dutifulness.
While outward religious acts may be the fruit of Piety, it all starts in the
heart. Piety is an overwhelming love and reverence for God. Piety is the
perfection of religion. This gift of Piety will most likely lead to acts of
to a love and devotion of family, especially parents, to a love of country
and to a love of the Church and the saints.
Anyone can do outwardly religious acts. They don’t have to have the gift
of Piety. But their acts may be done for ulterior motives. They may want
others to notice them. (Which Jesus warned against in Matthew 6.) They
may do them grudgingly out of a sense of duty. But the person blessed
and gratitude to God.
But if you’re just going through the motions of your faith, ask the Holy
Spirit for the gift of Piety. You’ll know you’ve received it when all the
religious things you do are no longer a chore, but a joy!
Finally, Proverbs 16:6 says this: “By kindness and piety guilt is expiated,
and by the fear of the LORD man avoids evil.”
For further study:
CCC 1831