‘By their fruits, you will know them.’ — Matthew 7:20
Here we are in the midst of summer, when gardens are in full bloom with tomatoes, green beans, watermelons and more. What are you planting and tilling the soil for this summer? It’s a question that applies to our lives, as much as it does to our backyard gardens.
We know that the gift of our baptism makes all of us temples of the Holy Spirit. In collaboration with the Holy Spirit and His grace, we can each bear much fruit (John 15:16).
We can reflect the love of Christ in visible and lasting ways, even in the face of difficulties.
Which fruit will you nurture?
Just as you plan your summer garden, what type of fruit do you seek to cultivate in your life and heart? Which of the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit feels most important to focus on right now: goodness, kindness, gentleness, generosity, peace, patience, joy, charity, modesty, chastity, faithfulness or self-control?
Speak to God about this in prayer. Perhaps He is inviting you to grow in patience. Perhaps He is calling you to deeper faithfulness in prayer or to exercise more self-control in your speech or actions.
As these fruits grow in our lives, they become visible signs to the world and to those who are closest to us from the vineyard of our hearts (Matthew 6:21). And through them, we imitate Jesus and are able to love others as Jesus loved us (John 13:35).
Use the spiritual power tools
In the heat and afternoon downpours of daily life, cultivating this fruit can feel like a lot of work. As Jesus acknowledged, “It is only when a seed is buried and dies that it will bear much fruit” (John 12:24). But we do not go at it alone. The Holy Spirit also offers us seven gifts – spiritual power tools for our garden: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord (awe in God’s presence).
As an example, wisdom helps us see things as God sees them, according to His divine truth – a gift that is essential to the fruits of patience and self-control. Memorize the seven gifts, spend some time exploring them in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and pray for an outpouring of these gifts in your heart!
The holiness to which God is calling each of us – to live a life that bears fruit that will remain – is something we can nurture. This summer, cultivate a deeper relationship with the gentle guest of your soul, the Holy Spirit, who is ready to strengthen you with His divine gifts.
A practical invitation: Tape the 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit at the foot of your crucifix and memorize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are great ways to keep them in mind and in prayer.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and the gardening! Let us pray for one another.
Father Richard Sutter is pastor of St. Gabriel Parish in Charlotte.