(The 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit)
As we respond to the Holy Spirit His fruits become more evident in our lives.
Confirmed members of the Church are called to join in the life and mission of the Church and to respond to God's call by co-operating with the Holy Spirit.
As we respond to this call, the influence of the Holy Spirit grows within us and we find special values and attitudes developing in our lives. These are known as the 'Fruits of the Holy Spirit'.
Like the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit, the 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit are not separate from one another. They are a unity with each, and all, complementing one another.
The Holy Spirit given to us at our Baptism, and strengthened in us at our Confirmation, makes us members of the living Body of Christ in the world, which is His Church. Christ is its Head and we are its members, all sharing in the one life of Christ's Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:22; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Romans 12:4-5)
Being members of His Body, with all partaking in the life of His One Spirit, the more we respond to the dictates of His Spirit living in us, the more the 'Fruits of His Holy Spirit' shall become manifest in our lives. The deeper our love for God, the more shall the operating strength of His Spirit be actively working in our life.
Come Holy Spirit, fill my heart with Your love.
Grant that I may experience Your joy deep within me.
Grant that I may always know Your peace within my heart.
Grant that I may be patient in all of the events of my life.
Grant that I may always do only what is good and right.
Grant that I may show gentle tenderness to those who seek my help.
Grant that I may show Your kindness to those in need.
Grant that I may have great trust and confidence in God's will for me.
Grant that I may always be firm and strong when faced with temptation.
Come, Holy Spirit.......Come...
O Holy Trinity,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God,
You are Life and Being Itself.
From eternity to eternity, You are...
"I Am Who Am, He Who Is," says the Lord. (Exodus 3:14)
"I am God, and there is no other;
there is no God besides Me." (Isaiah 45: 5,18,22)
A list of some of the qualities we need to practise and develop in our lives:
It is important we develop these qualities because:
These, and many other qualities we need to develop in our lives: including, as Jesus taught, being always loving towards one another, and being patient with those who do not have the same views as ourselves, and showing kindness to those in need.
As we grow and develop, and throughout our lives, we need to focus on developing qualities and attitudes that are good and right, so that we can reflect God's love to others as we continue the mission of Jesus in the world.
The following qualities and attitudes are known as the 'Fruits of the Holy Spirit' because, just as the fruit on a tree grows and matures, so too is it that the 'Fruits of the Holy Spirit' grow and develop in us as we practise them.
This is unconditional love that God gives to us. As this fruit grows we learn to love others as Jesus taught, in an unselfish way, looking beyond our own needs to the needs of others. This love enables us to have stronger family relationships and friendships. It is a love which seeks the well-being of everyone, to the exclusion of not even one.
This is the true inner happiness that comes from living and loving as Jesus taught. As this fruit grows, inner happiness gradually replaces our desire for things that are not important for the living of a truly Christian life.
This is a true inner peace of conscience in our hearts. As this fruit grows, we develop a sense of inner quiet that helps us to face life's problems with equanimity, (with composure and acceptance) while still retaining our sense of inner peace.
This is the ability to wait for all that God offers. As this fruit grows, it helps us to become more patient in all of life's circumstances, helping us to endure all the challenges, trials and problems which arise.
This is the Goodness of God. (Matthew 19:17; Luke 18:19) As this fruit grows within us we find ourselves wanting to do only what is right and good according to God's holy will. As Jesus said, "He that sent Me is with Me,.....I do always the things that please Him." (John 8:29)
This is the ability to show tenderness to all, but especially to those in need. As this fruit grows within us, others will find us to be welcoming and caring when they turn to us for help and guidance.
This is the desire to respond to the needs of others. As this fruit grows, we become more sensitive and caring to the needs and concerns of other people.
This trust enables us to have the confidence that God is always with us. As this fruit grows, we find ourselves relying more upon God for help and guidance, rather than relying solely on our own efforts. We are always conscious that we are in His Eternal Presence. He is always with us.
This is the power to overcome the feelings, thoughts and temptations that seek to prevent us from doing what is good and right. As this fruit grows, we become more able to overcome weaknesses such as selfishness, greed and bad habits.
May the Holy Spirit enlighten my heart and my soul,
Strengthen me in holiness, and fill me with His gifts.
O purify me Lord in the flames of Your love.
May the tongues of Your fire purify my mind and my heart,
Purge my whole soul, and envelop my whole being.
I long to see Your face. (1 Corinthians 13:12)