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TODAY’S WORD…

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The fruit of the Spirit

is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

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– Galatians 5:22-23 (NRSV)

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REFLECTION…

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When the Holy Spirit is released in you, you will begin to experience a new kind of life.

You will know God in a new way.

That new life will grow in you until you become a changed person.

St Paul describes the result by saying:

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

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When we allow ourselves to be led by our instincts,

this is often referred to as “following our animal instinct”.

On the other hand, when we act as our reason advises,

we are leading a rational, human, life.

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Similarly, when one allows the Holy Spirit to act,

one’s life becomes life according to the Spirit

– a supernatural life, a life which is no longer simply human but divine.

This is what happens when a person is in the state of grace

and is mindful of the treasure he or she bears within.

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The soul then becomes a good tree which is known by its fruits.

Its actions reveal the presence of the Divine Advocate, our Protector,

and because of the spiritual delight they give the soul,

these actions are called fruits of the Holy Spirit.

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QUOTE…

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"Those blessed fruits…the Spirit produces

and shows forth in the just, even in this mortal life

– fruits replete with all sweetness and joy.

Such must, indeed, be from the Spirit

who in the Trinity is the love of the Father and the Son,

filling all creatures with immeasurable sweetness.”

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– St. Augustine

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PRAYER…

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My Lord God Almighty,

I want to thank You especially for sending, as promised by Jesus,

the Holy Spirit of truth, to help, guide and console us and to be with us forever.

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Father, I pray,

let the way that I live from now on reflect the fruit of Your Spirit.

Let me be filled to overflowing

with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,

faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

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In Jesus’ holy name I pray. Amen.

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