Thoughts for the Day

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 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. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Paul's letter was written when the new churches in Galatia were under attack. Jewish Christians argued that Paul wasn't really an Apostle and that Gentile Christians should obey the Law of Moses and be circumcised. But Paul points out that Christians have been freed from the millions of laws under the old covenant. However, this does not mean that they can indulge themselves in "desires of the flesh".

Paul likens Christians to trees - healthy trees produce healthy fruit. When we invite the Holy Spirit into our life, as we surely did at our Baptism, (or First Communion/Confirmation) then He helps us to produce fruit. Here is the list of 9 fruits, with some suggestions of what the words might mean - sometimes not quite what we expect:

1. Love: that seeks the best for all people, not matter how they treat us.
2. Joy: not from possessions, but from knowing we are loved by God.
3. Peace: not from absence of strife, but from knowing we are in God's hands.
4. Patience: to love and forgive others, as God forgives us.
5. Kindness: this is our response to others at any time of trial.
6. Generosity: gives to others - our time, our talents and our money.
7. Faithfulness: as we draw closer to God He will increase our faith.
8. Gentleness: our response to everyone is to be gentle and loving.
9. Self-control: all things should be done in moderation.

Perhaps we can we take two from the list - that we find hardest - and work on them this summer?

Father-God,
You know our weaknesses,
those things that we simply seem unable to avoid;
and the times we let You and ourselves down.
Help us to ask for Your help before we slip,
and to think before we leap into action.
May we acknowledge our own weaknesses,
and really endeavour to change
with Your help.
Amen.