Wisdom is a permanent disposition of the soul to see things and events from God's point of view rather than from purely a human viewpoint.

For example, what do we see when we look upon Christ crucified? From a human viewpoint He was a man put to death by Rome for disturbing the Jewish nation. You must be sick in the mind to dwell on such a scene. St. Paul, however, inspired by the Holy Spirit saw it differently as he states, the "Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Cor 1:22-24) A Christian dwells on Christ Crucified because he sees the love of God the Father for mankind in the suffering of Christ on the Cross.

Understanding is a permanent disposition of the soul to gain a deeper understanding of the truths of faith.

In the scriptures we read that the Corinthians could not understand how the body could be raised from the dead. St. Paul helps them to understand by pointing to the world of nature such as the grain of wheat which dies in order to grow into a wheat plant. "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown corruptible; it is raised incorruptible. It is sown dishonorable; it is raised glorious. It is sown weak; it is raised powerful. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual one." (1 Cor 15:42-45)

Like all the gifts of the Spirit, understanding is rooted in faith. We must first believe in order to gain a deeper understanding of the resurrection from the dead with the help of the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, Come!
And from Your clear celestial home
Shed a ray of Light Divine!

Knowledge and Counsel