Each weekday for the next 14 days, Father James Lyons (Wellington) will be helping us reflect on God’s Word while we are in lockdown. What is God saying to us as we globally unite to defeat Covid-19?
SPIRIT FRUITS
SETTING: write each of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, goodness, gentleness, trustfulness, self-control) on separate cards. Scatter them among several lit candles in your prayer space.
Prayer of praise:
Wonder-Counsellor,
Mighty-God,
You fill each day with your
gift of light, freeing those living
in a land of deep shadow.
You make their gladness greater
You make their joy increase.
I praise and thank you for your great goodness.
[see Isaiah 9:1-7]
This prayer reflection centres on the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Like all fruit, they are food for health and well-being, to be savoured and enjoyed. Take time to identify and enjoy the taste of each. Some will quickly suit your palate; others will take more time to appreciate. You are invited to take them in any order. You could perhaps spread this prayer throughout the day, sampling and exploring one fruit at a time. Over-eating is not a problem with these fruits; you can never have enough as most of them take a lifetime to mature.
Cardinal John Dew referred to these “Fruits” in his recent newsletter. He measures his progress in prayerfulness and Christian charity, he tells us, by the way he notices the presence of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit in his life. In this time of “closeness” with ourselves, we can each try the same kind of measuring.
Scripture: Galatians 5:13-25
Read the fruits of the Spirit in the context of Paul’s instruction to the Church in Galatia – newly converted to the way of Jesus. He makes clear the consequences of ignoring or adhering to the “single command” to Love your neighbour as yourself.
For this new community of believers, following Jesus meant radical changes to a way of life that was the product of many generations. It was not an easy process. We are experiencing changes in our way of living as we battle Covid-19. Perhaps we are already sensing further and more permanent change to the way we relate to one another when the crisis passes. Meditate on this passage with the present pandemic in mind. Journal your findings.
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
Consider these nine special “Fruits”. Like all fruit they start as seeds and contain seeds to ensure their lineage continues. Growth is not overnight, nor assured. In what ways are these fruits already seen in your life? How might they develop and be put at the service of those living through and coping with the effects of the present pandemic?
Love
You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. [Dr Seuss]
Joy
If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive. [Eleonora Duse]
Peace
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. [Matthew 5:9]
Patience
Patience is the calm acceptance that things can happen in a different order than the one you have in your mind. [David G. Allen]
Kindness
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. [Mark Twain]
Goodness
Every act of goodness is born of our desire to be happy. [Udai Yadla]
Gentleness
There is nothing so strong as gentleness; and nothing so gentle as real strength. [St Francis de Sales]
Trustfulness
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me.
[John:14-1]
Self-control
You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realise this and you will find strength. [Marcus Aurelius, Meditations]
A New Day
With eyes acquainted with the dark
may the first light of morning awaken within you a beautiful quest
one that unlocks doors
bolted by yesterday’s grief
and the harsh and unforgiving words
you have spoken to yourself.
May the sun spill light
into the cracks where the residue of darkness hides
inviting you to walk without fear of what lies within.
On these virgin sands of time coming to you as pure gift
May you be embraced by a concept of grace
That sets you free to begin again.
Untie the string around your finger
as you remember forgotten dreams,
like a song that has been waiting to be sung
listen for the long note played by the most gentle touch of the bow.
May it resonate with the one true note within that is you
and dance your dream into this day.
[Andrew Norton – through Sylvia Purdie (Christchurch)]
Aotearoa Litany
Green of fern refresh us
Feathers of kereru warm us
Rocks of Moeraki encircle us
Waters of Taupo bathe us
Dive of gannet focus us
Arc of rainbow protect us
Stars of Southern Cross guide us
Gather the fruits of this day as evening falls and celebrate the goodness of life.
