fruit stand
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness, and chastity." —Galatians 5:22-23
Fruit is the end product of a process. Fruit does not just happen; it is produced. The Spirit produces His fruit in us when we live in Jesus, the true Vine (Jn 15:5). Likewise, the discipline of the Lord produces the Spirit's "fruit of peace and justice" (Heb 12:11). Thirdly, sorrow for our sins produces the fruit of the Spirit (see 2 Cor 7:11). Also, the gifts of the Spirit produce the fruit of the Spirit. For example, kindly deeds are the fruits of the Spirit's gift of wisdom (Jas 3:17).
Many Christians seem to be waiting around for the fruit of the Spirit to just pop up. Fruit isn't like that. All farmers know that, although ultimately the harvest depends on God, they must do several things to make it possible for fruit to be produced. This is also true of the fruit of the Spirit. To make possible the Spirit's fruit, we must cling to Jesus, accept the Lord's discipline, be sorry for our sins, and use the Spirit's gifts.
Prayer: Father, may I be fruitful (see Gn 1:28).
Promise: "Since we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's lead." —Gal 5:25
Praise: St. Hedwig remained faithful to her husband even though she suffered much from his violence and quarrelsomeness.
Reference: (Let the Spirit produce fruit in you by reading the Bible every day. We have several tape series that may help you. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A. 15-minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty audio tapes starting with #700. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is thirty-two audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or seventeen video tapes starting with V-21.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard L. Klug, April 10, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 18, 2002