In today's first reading, Galatians 5: 18-25, St. Paul identifies the works of the flesh as being: "immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies and the like." The fruits of the spirit, on the other hand, are "joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." The fruits of the spirit are gifts that come to us in our reaching out to persons in need, that is, when we assist others in lifting their burdens and when we love our neighbor as we love ourselves and God. Growing in love of neighbor is growing in love with our Creator God and vice versa! It is relating horizontally and vertically. Where the horizontal and vertical lines meet a cross is formed and the fruits of the Holy Spirit are poured forth in our souls!
Those who do not reach up vertically to God on a regular basis are extremely vulnerable to engaging in works of the flesh: "immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies and the like." Those who engage in these behaviors of lawlessness alienate themselves from God and from their fellow human beings!
How strong is my relationship with God? to what extent am I developing intimacy with the Lord? And, as important, am I growing in love with my fellow human beings?
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