Wednesday 12 October 2022

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Today is Wednesday the 12th of October, in the 28th week of Ordinary Time.

Maximilian sings, ‘Holy Spirit’. As you listen, become aware of the presence of the Holy Spirit with you now… Rest with God’s Spirit for a moment.

We don't have to ask You to come

'Cause You're already here

Your presence is holding us now

You are drawing so near

Unmistakeable, irresistible

Our hearts are longing for You

Lovesick through and through, nothing else will do

We worship You

Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit

Everything changes when You come around

Nothing else can compare

Your move has already begun

We're becoming aware

You're all powerful, yet so vulnerable

Wе will not grieve or quench You

With hеarts unafraid, we will sing Your praise

We worship You

Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit

Not the rest of me, but the best of me

Holy Fire, consume all that I am

No, not just a part, God take all my heart

Here I am, a living sacrifice

Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit

Today’s reading is from St 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.

What might it feel like to be led by the Spirit? Do you have experience of that?

The last couple of days’ readings have focused on freedom. Here too, might we find a kind of freedom, in choosing to be ‘led by the Spirit’?

The fruits of the Spirit, the writer, Paul, says - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control - have no law against them. We are free to have all these beautiful qualities! Where might I choose to be moved and guided by the Spirit today?

Notice that the ‘works of the flesh’ include the obvious, but also the subtle. Where does evil play a subtle role in my life, in life around me today?

As you hear the passage again, think about the role of choice in your day-to-day living.

As this time of prayer draws to a close, ask for an awareness of God’s Spirit accompanying and guiding you today.

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.