Fruit of the Spirit

0:06

It is the Spirit

Margaret Rizza

Today is Wednesday the 14th of October, in the 28th week of Ordinary Time.

It is the Spirit of love who gives life. God is the source of all life, the one in whom we live and move and have our being. Reflect on where you see the movement of this Spirit of love in your daily coming and going as we hear this piece by Margaret Rizza.

4:44

Today’s reading is from Saint Paul's Letter to the Galatians.

Galatians 5:18-25

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

7:06

Where It All Begins

In today's passage, Paul is teaching the Galatians about living by the Spirit. St Ignatius of Loyola encouraged people to live by the “good Spirit”, working this out using discernment. So, as you reflect on that list of works of the flesh, notice how thinking about these leaves you feeling. You might you notice a heaviness as they are mentioned... or a dryness or emptiness... Perhaps you can find your own word...

Now, reflect on the fruit of the Spirit. We are told “there is no law against such things”. We can freely experience these. Notice how just the thought of them leaves you feeling... what do you sense? Perhaps a lingering sense of calm or hopefulness... a lightness of heart... again, search for your own words...

As you listen to the reading again, try this exercise of noticing. See if you are drawn to linger on a particular word or phrase...

10:01

Galatians 5:18-25

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

12:05

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.” Notice that we are the ones guided by the Spirit, not the other way around. So, as this time of prayer comes to a close, ask the Spirit to help guide you towards God’s way of love in these coming days.

14:05

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen