Posts Tagged ‘fruits of the spirit’

Self-Control: Self-control as a fruit of the Spirit is not the domination of our will over our emotions. Rather, it is our growing awareness of God’s abiding presence and steadfast love. The inward assurance of the Divine’s unwavering love enhances our freedom of choice and action. We know in spite of our weaknesses that God…

Patience: Through patience we learn to wait with confidence through the ups and downs of our lives, trusting in God’s enduring love present in all we experience. –from Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit, Thomas Keating   Also, here are some ideas from contemplative teacher and writer, James Finley, on the subject of patience: Patience…

Goodness: Goodness is the affirmation of creation as good, together with a sense of oneness with the universe and with everything created. It is the disposition that perceives God’s love in everything. It recognizes the beauty of all creation in spite of the damage that human selfishness has imposed upon it. As a result gratitude…

Gentleness: Gentleness is participation in God’s way of doing things that is at once gentle and firm, sustaining all creation with enormous diversity, yet without effort. We labor in the service of God more than ever, and yet have the sense of stepping back and letting go. Like God we labor and are at rest…

Faithfulness: Faithfulness is a daily commitment to live the path of love, and a trust that the Indwelling Spirit is helping us fulfill this call. It is the daily offering of ourselves and all our actions to God out of compassion for others, especially in service of their concrete needs. Faithfulness (fidelity) serves God without…

Kindness: Kindness (meekness) is freedom from the energy of hostility, hatred, outbursts of anger. Anger is necessary for human health and growth. But it needs to be transmuted into a growing capacity to persevere in the pursuit of the difficult good. The growth of kindness opens us to the continual awareness of God’s presence of…