Katie Rea Spiritual Direction 🌞
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23, NIV
The New Testament points us to the Fruits of the Spirit. These “Fruits” are qualities we as believers strive to develop in their lives to become more Christ-like in our walk of faith. One of these qualities is love.
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry reminds us that “God is love (1 John 4:8) …God didn’t create because of God’s need, but out of God’s love. We were created by love, for love, to love, and to be loved. And we are at our best when we live in God’s love, because that’s what we were made for.”
Curry also states, “The key to life is to love God, to love each other, to love ourselves.”*
Love is not simply an emotion, but a way of being. It’s an action call for the world. We are to emulate this divine love in our lives as well. Love leads us to act with kindness, compassion, and empathy.
Abba Dorotheus, a Christian monk and abbot, had some advice about loving one another without judgement:
“I heard of one person that when he came to one of his friends and found the room in disarray and even dirty, he would say to himself: ‘Blessed is this person, because having deferred his concerns for earthly cares, he has concentrated his mind that much toward Heaven, that he doesn’t even have time to tidy up his room.’ But when he came to another friend’s place and found his room tidy and neat, he would say to himself; ‘The soul of this person is as clean as his room, and the condition of the room speaks of his soul.’ And he never judged another that he was negligent or proud, but through his kind disposition, saw good in everyone and received benefits from everyone. May the good Lord grant us the same kind disposition, so that we too may receive benefits from everyone and so that we never notice the failings of others.”
It’s not easy refraining from judgement in our consumerism and competitive society. Perfectionism is a problem on the rise, and we are harder on ourselves more than ever. Hatred prevails with our political rivals and the problem with systemic racism seems ever more problematic.
Yet, we are called to love each other, even those we don’t agree with, even our enemies. That can be a tough pill to swallow.
Love allows us to restore broken relationships and foster reconciliation. We seek to treat each other with dignity and respect. When love is genuinely present in our lives, it can be transformative. It has the power to heal wounds, mend broken hearts, and bring unity to divided communities. If we allow it, love brings joy, peace, and harmony. It bridges gaps and overcomes barriers. It is a light that shines in darkness. Love is transformational.
As I mentioned in a previous post, our bodies and brains are literally wired to God. The book, Neuroscience and the Fruit of the Spirit shows how our bodies change by our actions. For example, the more we practice loving others, we open up neural pathways to become a loving person ourselves.
See also: Practicing the Fruits of the Spirit: A Book Reflection – In Thought, Word & Deed (katierea.com)
This takes time to develop and practice becoming a more loving person. It requires intentional effort and a desire to grow spiritually toward God as God is the source of love.
Love as a Fruit of the Spirit encompasses all the rest. If we are rooted in love, we then can be joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and possess self-control. Love is the foundation.
By embracing love and allowing it to manifest in our lives, we become agents of change, spreading light and hope in a world that desperately needs it.
Your Love
Bless us with Love, O Merciful God;
– Author Unknown
That we may Love as you Love!
That we may show patience, tolerance,
Kindness, caring and love to all!
Give me knowledge; O giver of Knowledge,
That I may be one with my Universe and Mother Earth!
O Compassionate One, grant compassion unto us;
That we may help all fellow souls in need!
Bless us with your Love O God.
Bless us with your Love.
More information:
See also: The Fruit of Spirit Within Us – In Thought, Word & Deed (katierea.com)
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry – The Episcopal Church
God’s Love Prayers (xavier.edu)
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