Teaching a subject is one of the quickest ways to learn it. When one takes deliberate measures to break down a concept in order to explain it to someone else, personal enlightenment and transformation inevitably take place; so much more so when teaching a Confirmation program.
When it comes to nurturing faith, the process is especially transformative. In sharing insights with my students on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, I enjoy witnessing their openness to God’s voice in their lives. Through Lectio Divino, reflections, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd presentations, journaling and music, the students have grown not only in their awareness of Church teaching, but in their relationships with God. Likewise, in spending focused time on each gift, I too have grown in my awareness of the Spirit’s role in my life.
Precisely because of this growth, I love that St. Paul uses the term “fruit,” to represent the evidence of inner growth and the Spirit’s work through us. St. Paul states that the virtues which should stem from a Christian life are: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). Each of these “Fruits of the Spirit” are evidence of faith alive in the world; however, as Catholic author and writer, Chris Stefanick writes, “A fruit presupposes the existence of a tree. If you want the fruit, you must first receive the seed of the tree. Then you can nurture the growth of a fruit, whose life comes from the tree, not from you.”
The Sacrament of Baptism, completed in Confirmation, allows God to plant the seeds of faith within us. The Gifts of the Spirit are there for us to nurture throughout our lives. In both challenging and uplifting times, the Master Gardener is at work. Sometimes, God prunes away the characteristics that harm us or stunt our growth; at other times, he fertilizes and nurtures our seeds of faith, as we seek his plans for us.
As Christians, the results of this gardening process should start to become obvious. The famous phrase, “Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words,” which is often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, sums this up well. Through the Spirit, the Gospel message should be obvious in our ways of life, even more than our words. Through the Spirit, our actions should bear the fruits of our faith and bring the Gospel message into the world.
Christopher Lafitte, a Catholic councilor, writes, “Lent’s invitation is to let go of all the things we put up before the doors of our heart, blocking the Lord’s invitations to communion. Easter encourages us to allow the Lord to pass through these doors, growing in regular intimacy with Him. Now, Pentecost ignites the healing intimacy of life with Christ in us, empowering us to run out of these doors and share the gift of Divine Love with the rest of the world.”
I also appreciate the words of Chris Stefanick, “… if the Spirit of God is within you, your personality and life should be showing forth those fruits. Does it? And does your home smell like those fruits? It should. If it doesn’t, you have some gardening to attend to… Start here: At the end of the day, either alone or, ideally, with your family, do an examination of conscience based on the fruits of the Spirit.”
This particular examination of conscience involves asking ourselves if we have shown love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control throughout our days. If we have fallen short, Stefanick offers this prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit. Forgive me. Fill my emptiness. And help me to nurture the fruit you want to grow, and show, through me.”
Just like we strive to keep Christmas alive after the season has ended, after Pentecost it is even more crucial to keep the Holy Spirit alive and well in our daily lives. How blessed am I to have young people just starting out to remind me to seek the Spirit in my life with renewed faith each day.
I pray that my students will feel the Spirit in profound ways and recognize that they are not alone in their lives.
Staying open to God’s plan, may our lives all bear fruit.
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