Romans 8 Galatians 5:16‐25 Luke 6:43‐45
For those you that missed this video earlier, check out "Oceans":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw
Or watch the just‐as‐awesome live studio version here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m_sWJQm2fs
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2)
We have now talked about gifts of the Holy Spirit, how to pray with the Spirit, and how we are called to true and full freedom in the Spirit. I think it's appropriate to finish off by asking, "What does regular, everyday life look like when we live in the Spirit?"
In Galatians chapter 5, St. Paul tells us what a life without the Spirit looks like: immorality, impurity, strife, jealousy, and selfishness, to name a few. Many of us probably still struggle with some of the things on his list. It can be kind of embarrassing or saddening reading it because of his bluntness. We realize we are guilty of some of these, and we see so much of it all around us in society.
But Paul makes it clear that life in the Spirit is different. He lists the fruits of the Holy Spirit, the results that come about when we do not live according to our flesh: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self‐control.
Jesus tells us that "each tree is known by its own fruit" (Luke 6:44). Sometimes we also hear the phrasing, "Judge a tree by its fruits." I find this a powerful reminder for accountability. What fruits does my life bear? If I'm being honest with myself, am I producing more fruit according to the flesh, or do the fruits point to a life in the Spirit? What are my weakest areas, and how can I grow? Have I asked the Holy Spirit to help me?
We all come to an important crossroads in our lives at least once, and usually many more times, where we have to ask ourselves, "Am I living the life I'm supposed to live?" As Catholics, we are called to life in Christ, and this requires us to surrender ourselves to the working of the Holy Spirit.
We must do our best to stay open and continue growing in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, always asking for his guidance and love. Let us take time to tangibly focus on deepening our relationship with the Holy Spirit and, most importantly, asking Our Lady to intercede for us along the way. As his spouse, she knows better than all how truly necessary and transformative life in the Spirit is.
God bless you, and may the Holy Spirit fill you with his love and power from on high!
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you." (Acts 1:8)
Come Holy Spirit, enlighten my heart, that I may see the things that are of God.
Come Holy Spirit, into my mind that I may know the things that are of God.
Come Holy Spirit, into my soul, that I may belong only to God.
Sanctify all that I think, say, and do, that all may be for the glory of God.
