I’m reflecting on today’s first reading from St Paul’s letter to the Galatians. It starts out full of hope and promise as he tells them:
“If you are led by the Spirit no law can touch you.”
At first glance it seems like he’s offering us an easy option, let the Spirit lead you and you will have no worries. That’s a beguiling and tempting thought, yet we all know it’s not true. A brief moment of reflection shows us it’s not what St Paul is offering us, as he goes on to make perfectly clear saying:
“When self-indulgence is at work, the results are obvious…”
As he carries on listing the results of self-indulgence our hearts recognise the truth of what he says. We all know from experience that wherever our particular form of self-indulgence leads it doesn’t result in peace, joy or contentment.
With his usual directness St Paul carries on to offer us us the antidote to our self-indulgence, listing the characteristics that we need to seek and cultivate if we want to live lives led by the Spirit:
“What the Spirit brings is…: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
As I read his words I recognise how much my heart longs to live a life that are shaped by them. Looking around me I see the difference they could make to lives and communities that are anxious and fractured in these uncertain times.
His words offer us a hope and a challenge. The challenge is to put aside self and allow the Spirit to shape and mould us into a new creation. The hope is that, guided by the Spirit, we can live lives shaped by love, kindness and gentleness.
How are you being called to let the Spirit direct your life today?