Galatians 5:18-25 ·
Psalm 1:1-4,6
Luke 11:42-46
CONSIDER YOUR WAYS AND KEEP YOUR CONSCIENCE PURE
Today’s letter from St. Paul to the Galatians offers a thoughtful framework for examining our conscience. He identifies fifteen challenges of human nature, alongside nine fruits of the Spirit that can help us and our communities flourish.
Reflecting on these twenty-four points offers an opportunity to consider our lives, share our journey with a trusted confessor, and receive the comfort of God’s forgiveness and healing grace.
Saint Paul offers more than a list; he invites us to seek the Spirit’s help as we work to change our lives. He reminds us that following the Spirit can strengthen us as we navigate our passions and selfish desires. We all know how easy it can be to stumble when faced with our weaknesses. Without the Spirit’s support, addressing our most difficult habits may feel daunting. With the Spirit’s help, we can continue to ask ourselves, with humility and perseverance, “How can we remain on the path Jesus set before us?”
One of the Spirit’s greatest gifts is love. True love is a daily commitment to care for others. It calls us to put others first, look after our neighbors, protect them from harm, and seek to live in harmony. As we direct that love toward God, who loves us beyond measure, our burdens may feel lighter, and we can find support as we work to let go of old habits.
Fr Joseph Osho