|
Totally Fire!
As we near the end of the Pentecost season, why not take a little time to seek the Holy Spirit? One of God’s gifts is the ability to grow and change forever. Our spiritual journey is and must be, one of growing awareness and the revision of our life’s habits and actions. Moving toward our communion and fellowship with God, we are given the chance for the greatest change of all. A Desert Father was visited by a young monk seeking his advice. After describing his "little fast, his little prayer and his little work" which consisted of weaving baskets, the younger asked the elder, "What more should I do?" To which the older monk replied by raising his hands. As he did so fire shot forth from his fingers and, speaking through the flames he said to the young monk, "Why not become Totally Fire?” This ancient story is a favorite of mine that attempts to direct our minds and spirits out past the “small and satisfying” to the boundless possibilities of God. We are blessed to be able to take subtle satisfaction in what we achieve; so much more the spiritual satisfaction we feel when we have fulfilled a spiritual discipline. These “little fasts” and “little prayers” have the ability to lead us to new heights or depths of spiritual connectedness, but these “satisfying accomplishments” are only the fore side of a double-edged sword. The elder monk has posed a question that is far more profound than it might at first seem. Recognizing the younger monk's accomplishments and his dedication, the elder asks not only what could stop the younger from achieving the elder’s state of spiritual maturity, but what has stopped him thus far? What are the factors that have kept the younger so satisfied and stationary in his spiritual growth? At once we feel the brush of the aft blade as the sword swings past. With love and encouragement the elder monk shows that, while the dedication of the younger has served him well thus far, he may have become dependent on the “little” accomplishments which still lift him spiritually but no longer lead to new heights. The question looks backward as well as forward, challenging his rational assessment as well as his perception. We are all meant for grander things! God has given us and continues to provide for us methods of spiritual renewal “that satisfy and delight us,” but these are meant as stepping stones, providing ready passage though doldrums; or stairs on which to climb to new heights. They are points of transition which lead us to a new place and open to us new avenues through which God’s love may be manifest in our lives. God is shown forth in the fact of our existence and through our own capacity to love. All good things come from God, and we are surrounded by the bountiful witness of grace everyday and every minute. Our journey in spiritual growth is blessed with “little fasts” and “little prayers” that help us through and enable us to climb–and what miraculous provision they are! They are gifts also that move us beyond themselves, until we become Totally Fire! Blazing for God, Fr. Bill+
0 Comments
Reading the Bible is not like reading any other book. The words of the Bible are the very words of God. The Scriptures are described as a two-edged sword which “reads us” while we read it. As the Psalmist says, the Word of God is more important than food, more precious than honey, more valuable than gold.
The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. (Psalm 119:72) Eight reasons to read the Bible 1. Scripture saves. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16) “God saves us daily by Scripture.” Salvation has happened to God’s people, salvation is — at this moment — happening to God’s people, and salvation will happen completely at the resurrection of God’s people, and it is happening now by means of God’s Word. Paul says to hold fast to the teaching and thereby save yourself. God saves us daily by our reading of Scripture. 2. Scripture frees. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32) When Jesus said this, he was showing the Jewish leaders that, though they think they are not slaves, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires” (John 8:44). They were deceived and in need of the Messiah to set them free. That deception was so tragically deep that they couldn’t see the Messiah they needed in order to truly see. Satan is our enemy, and he is strong. We need the Holy Spirit to see and recognize Christ in our lives. As St. John wrote, I write to you, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. (1 John 2:14) Every time Jesus was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1–11; Mark 1:12–13; Luke 4:1–13), he struck back with “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). The weapon Jesus chose to confront and overcome the Devil were the words from Isaiah and Hebrew Scriptures, in which he was well-versed. This is what he taught us to do. 3. Scripture imparts grace and peace. May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2) Knowledge of God gained through Scripture is not identical with grace, but Peter says it is a means of grace. If we want to be made peaceful and powerful through divine grace, Peter says, it happens “in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” That knowledge is found in one place: Scripture. (2 Peter 3:18) 4. Scripture sanctifies. Jesus prayed, Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. (John 17:17) Sanctification is the process of becoming holy — that is, becoming more like Christ and like God, who is perfectly holy. This is not optional. Hebrews 12:14 says, “Strive . . . for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” We don’t become perfect in this life, but we do become holy. God sanctifies his people. And Jesus prays to his Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” It couldn’t be more plain, or more important. 5. Scripture gives joy. You received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 1:6) His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2) Life without joy is unbearable. The Christian life, like every life, is a life of many afflictions. It is God’s promise, though, that we will be sustained in Him and even know joy in the midst of our troubles. God sustains joy, and he does so through the Scriptures. 6. Scripture protects us from destructive error. Until we all attain the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God . . . so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine. (Ephesians 4:13–14) How do Christians stop being leaves blown around by cultural and theological winds and opinions? Answer: “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God” — knowledge that we experience, not as the opinion of man, but as the Word of God. That’s found in one place: the Holy Scriptures. 7. Scripture is the hope of Heaven. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12) The knowledge of God—all the fullness that a created being can properly comprehend and enjoy—will not be withheld from us indefinitely. The frustrations of our present limitations of understanding and enjoyment will be removed. How fitting it is, then, that we be ever growing now in what will be our final joy in the age to come. 8. Scripture gives and sustains life. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4) Spiritual life—eternal life—as with physical life, must be fed, not by bread, but by the Word of God. Reading the Bible to grow in understanding has the effect of expanding our spirit and opening us to the work and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Communion and fellowship with God is the answer to all things, and our “roadmap” to God is Holy Scripture. This Thursday night, we are gathering by ZOOM at 7:00 to choose our next book of the Bible. Come be a part of the decision process that will put you into a deeper relationship with God. Reading my Bible, Fr. Bill+ Dear Creator Family,
This Sunday, Oct. 26th, we will pass out our Stewardship cards as we prepare for the 2026 budget. That’s an annual and important part of our common life together. We expect it. This year - something new! In addition to making your pledge, as a tangible sign of our reliance on God, our Vestry prayerfully asks that everyone place one dollar in the alms basin. Whether you are pledging by card or electronically, the $1 symbolizes the first fruit of our lives offered to God and the last measure of life returned to God. Our reliance on God is something each of us comes to know individually in various degrees at different stages and circumstances of life. Our corporate acknowledgement of that reliance as a gathered body is a powerful witness to our gratitude and spiritual maturity. I humbly ask you to participate. Unlike other financial commitments we make, our commitment as stewards of God’s creation is not an isolated decision based on the self, but a loving partnership with the Living God! When we embrace God’s command to be “Good Stewards, ” we open ourselves to the very person of God interacting in us, the tangible reality of God’s kingdom! In short, we draw closer to God and are available to receive God’s gifts. When we commit ourselves and live as Good Stewards – lovingly caring for the lives God has entrusted to us, carefully managing the possessions God has allowed us, and wisely using the resources God has given us, all in the name of Jesus Christ – we fulfill God’s will and become open to God’s many blessings. I love that we are the Church of the Creator. On our signpost, on our service bulletins – everywhere you look are reminders of our maker, author, almighty Creator. God created the universe and everything is God’s by right of creation, but God has entrusted the care of creation to us, and to the witness of salvation through Jesus Christ. Scripture says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" (Psalms 24:1) and “Every good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17). Let us respond accordingly, my brothers and sisters in Christ. Being a Good Steward brings Joy – Godly Joy, because that is what God promises us. Please pray for guidance as we contemplate our stewardship of God’s creation and our stewardship of witness at Creator Church. $1, Fr. Bill+ Who Is a Christian Steward?
A Response to God's Gift of Salvation According to Rev. Dr. Wayne Knolhoff, former stewardship director and consultant of the National Mission at Concordia Seminary, the reason why there are so many misconceptions about stewardship is “that when it comes to stewardship, we focus on what the steward does (stewardship) without ever talking about who the steward is (identity).” First and foremost, a Christian steward is a child of God. “The Gospel is the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ,” Knolhoff said. “It motivates the Christian steward. We love because He first loved us.” It naturally follows that “gratitude marks the life of the Christian steward.” Thus, properly understood, stewardship is a response to God’s gift of salvation, a sentiment echoed in Luther’s words: “As [Christ] gives himself for us with his body and blood … so we too are to give ourselves with might and main for our neighbor.” Second, the child of God cares (manages) for that which belongs to his Father. Roy Bleick, Pastor and writer, wrote in Much More Than Giving, “In the New Testament, stewardship … is never used to designate the action of giving, much less the giving of money … [but] relates primarily to the office of administration or management or to the implementation of a plan.” The Lord has called each of us to different vocations in the home, church and society. Under each of those vocations, we have the joy-filled duty to use all that God has given us for His purposes. Third, what belongs to our Father? Everything. James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. That means that everything—from the food on our table to our personal strengths and talents—is a gift from God. Expression of Christ-Centered Faith It boils down to this: Generosity is born of one’s relationship to Christ. It’s why we use His gifts for His purposes. Daniel Conway writes in What Do I Own and What Owns Me?, “Stewardship means letting go of my independence, my ego, my need for control, and my desire to be someone … True stewardship means that I depend on a good and gracious God for who I am and what is mine—because they are all gifts to me.” Stewardship is not limited to finances, though we think primarily about that at this time of year. If we only think of Stewardship as financial giving to the church, then our efforts are robbed of the rich, full and fruitful life that God intends for His children. The Gospel is what makes stewardship distinctively Christian in content, in method, and in motivation. The stewardship life is dedicated to the cause of the Kingdom. Stewardship is the expression of our faith. When the biblical teaching of stewardship is neglected or ignored, the consequence is depriving ourselves of all that the Lord would give us. The consequence is hoarding the gifts the Lord gives us rather than sharing them so that they multiply. In this sense, stewardship is counterintuitive. We do not gain more by keeping what we have been given; instead, in giving them away, the gifts are multiplied beyond measure. When this happens, Knolhoff says, “The congregation will be living into God’s desire for them to make disciples of all nations by baptizing them and teaching them all that He has commanded.” According to Knolhoff, some of the congregational benefits of “intentional, systematic, whole life stewardship education” include: • Operating from a perspective of abundance rather than scarcity. • Experiencing a renewed mission focus. • Increasing resources for mission and ministry. • Relishing the joy of a steward’s life following Christ. Knolhoff states, “Stewardship is what the steward does. Christian stewards understand that stewardship is the Christian life—all of it.” When one leads a Christian life of stewardship, the focus is on Christ. Trust is placed in Him that He will provide for those who dedicate their lives to serving Him with the gifts He has blessed us with. What are the consequences? In short, ignoring any part of the whole counsel of God leads to trouble: maybe it’s despair, maybe it’s carnal security, maybe it’s missed mission opportunities. As we plan for a new year, for mission and ministry here at Creator as God's Stewards, we plan for so much more than upkeep and maintenance. Our plans are for joy and peace in believing. To provide a place of spiritual possibility and community renewal. To enter into God's divine plan through our daily lives as Stewards and witnesses of God's abundance and blessing. Living a Steward's life in Him, Fr. Bill+ It's such a beautiful time of year with cool nights and sunny days. I give thanks to God for all this beauty and wanted to share this psalm of praise by St. Francis: You are holy, Lord, the only God, and Your deeds are wonderful. You are strong. You are great. You are the Most High. You are Almighty. You, Holy Father are King of heaven and earth. You are Three and One, Lord God, all Good. You are Good, all Good, supreme Good, Lord God, living and true. You are love. You are wisdom. You are humility. You are endurance. You are rest. You are peace. You are joy and gladness. You are justice and moderation. You are all our riches, and You suffice for us. You are beauty. You are gentleness. You are our protector. You are our guardian and defender. You are our courage. You are our haven and our hope. You are our faith, our great consolation. You are our eternal life, Great and Wonderful Lord, God Almighty, Merciful Saviour. – by St. Francis of Assisi  Dear Creator Family,
As I reflect on our years together, so many happy years, I remember times of joy at weddings and baptisms, of homecomings and happy reunions. I remember sad times of letting go. We have shared some truly sad and strained times, especially our lonely year apart during the Pandemic. I remember times of confirming and commissioning–of sending out to do the work of God. I think about the Choir singing and the pews full of people searching for a deeper relationship with Christ. Even today, I can feel the warmth of the sun on the pews, the sound of children laughing and the trucks applying their “jake-brake” in the middle of our worship service. The sirens outside on 360 and the descants indoors, lifting your voices in a cherished place to a purpose higher than anyone alone could achieve. The years have been full and good. It wasn’t too long ago that paint and nails were needed, and a new look was given to this House of God. A beautiful blue was applied to the rood wall (the wall where the Cross is mounted), bringing out the striking colors of our story-telling stained glass windows (Did you know the blue of Mary’s gown was mail-ordered from Germany??), and more updated whites and beiges brightened the portico. These improvements, involving attention and expense, reflect your devotion and love. Still, the last several years have been hard. Even with your physical and spiritual effort, I have seen our numbers decline and your energy falter. I know that outside the Church, success is gauged by numbers, both people and dollars. I know that it is hard for you to fight the overwhelming and consistent pressure of the world to “fill the pews,” but that is not why I am here. I am here for you, you that are here. I am here so that you may find Christ and know that you are loved in a safe and glorious place. I am here to help you focus and be set free to open your spirit to His Spirit and accept the joy that is prepared for you. It grieves me that some of you may be feeling afraid or saddened by our current parish statistics. Our numbers. Our dollars. That you feel despondent and powerless to effect a change that would lead others here to God’s embrace. I know that some feel that this is the end. Writing on the wall, and all that. But I do not. I remember a time, long ago, that looked much like this time. I remember the hopes of the people then, and I know yours now. I am here as a testimony to the living God, and I have seen God change this place and each person in miraculous ways. Please hear me, I have faith in you. I will be here for God. For you. Here, so that you can find Jesus on your journey and know the joy that is contagious. This is not a journey of a Church, this is a journey of a single person. You. You have done so much for me. You have cared for me for almost 60 years. I will not stop proclaiming the Risen Lord, knowing that His love changes all, and in Him all things are possible. It’s true, I can't wait for you to be in my pews again and find His presence within you. I rejoice even in the thought of your return. We are not “done.” For I am not done. I will never be done. It is as if I were built specifically and uniquely…for you. And as if Christ went to the cross specifically and uniquely for you. Because he did. And I was. I love you. Come sit in my pews. Walk my aisles. Let your praises ring out again. We will continue this journey together. With enduring love, Your Creator Church Sanctuary Christians are called to embrace change as an essential part of spiritual growth and maturity, recognizing it as a means of transformation into the likeness of Christ and a way to align with God's will and purpose. A key biblical principle guiding this perspective is understanding that God is at work even during difficult seasons. Christian optimism dictates that we focus on gratitude, pray for guidance, seek companionship and trust God’s plan for new opportunities. This is hard!
Commentator Michael Levine, reflecting on bad relationships, stressful living, and the rampant unhappiness in our culture, observes that, “We stay in hell a long time simply because we have learned the names of the streets.” On the same topic, Dr. Bill Crawford, PhD, licensed psychologist, author of eight books, and organizational consultant, writes, “The brain is hardwired to avoid change, this is why some people freeze or why characters stay in a room even when the murderer is coming towards them. Changing means facing the unknown, and the unknown is everyone's greatest fear. This biological predisposition, rooted in our evolutionary past, triggers a fear response from the amygdala and makes it difficult to break away from established routines and habits. We develop world perspective habits that, though they are uncomfortable–even dangerous, we will hold on to them (habits) because they are familiar, the alternative (change) is terrifying.” In other words, how we have learned to see ourselves and the world is continuing to influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in ways that may be trapping us in “hell” (experiencing anxiety, frustration, depression, a lack of self-worth etc.), and yet, because it is familiar (we know the names of the streets or how to survive), we are reluctant to change. He goes on to say that the only way to overcome this hard-wired perspective is to “change this internal wiring.” Good news! We have the means to rewire! We have a God who will help! As people of faith, we are called into just that, our Faith. Faith is God’s gift to us to help us believe and trust in God. This is a divine paradox and points us to a divine gift: If God gave us the gift to recognize the giver then the giver is already present through the gift. We recognized God through the lens of God. We are made in the image of our Creator and as such have minds predisposed to avoid change. We long to have, even feel cheated if we don't have a steady, stable, predictable and dependable life. This makes sense as God told us in Malachi, "For I am the LORD, I change not," (3:6) and in Numbers 23:18, “God is not a man that he should lie or change his mind, and He fulfills his promises.” Moreover we hear in the Book of James that "the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change". (1:17) And in the Letter to the Hebrews, that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (13:8) These affirmations that God does not change explain our desire for consistency. It is ironic, therefore, that we can only achieve that stability by changing. God calls us away from our worldly and destructive self-protectionism into the light of true stability. We are called to embrace change–good or bad–with the faith that God is acting in us through the transition. Change can bring adventure and excitement, fresh ideas and new opportunities. Sometimes change needs to happen in order for us to stay healthy and resilient. And it seems that our most significant spiritual growth comes after change. Try as we will, we can’t stave off change. Growing older, getting sick, getting married, having children, dying–change is perhaps the one thing that does not change. Embracing the change that comes means embracing all the more the presence of the Holy Spirit and the companionship of Jesus. Picture this: Jesus did not want the change that was coming, but he embraced the Cross of Calvary, faithfully anticipating the Father's plan and the good that would come from it. Accepting change by faith initiates its redemptive work. In the words of Paul to the Romans, “now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life” (6:22). Change is at the heart of sanctification, it’s the purpose of God’s Word, and it’s the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Eddie Espinosa, a contemporary Christian musician, in his song, Change my Heart, O God, prayed, Change my heart oh God Make it ever true Change my heart oh God May I be like You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFAVpUQgVoo While expressing a genuine heart attitude towards God, these words also speak of our need for change through sanctification. Certainly, change in our thoughts, our beliefs, and feelings are the most difficult, yet they are also the most needed. Our internal reasoning is the arena of our greatest battles, with the greatest potential for resistance and pain. But, change we must, if we want to live like Christ! Paul, having undergone enormous change, told the people, “be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God” (Romans 12:2). Paul recognised the necessity of ongoing internal change as the path of testing and discovering God’s will. It's sad how often Christians set boundaries for God, unconsciously informing God of what He can and cannot change within them. Change Flows Out Of Salvation Salvation is the spiritual metamorphosis that enters us into a life where “we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV). This involves no small amount of growing pain as pride, ego, selfishness and inappropriate preferences are lovingly, yet determinately, changed by the Holy Spirit. As people of faith, we enter into the presence of God by recognizing the presence of the Holy Spirit and thereby inviting change. Paul describes this in his second Letter to the Corinthians saying, “the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (5:14-15). Look at your world, your relationships and your protectionist decisions and let go. Oh, things will look the same, but you won't be. Live into the change that God is working in you and achieve true changelessness in Him. Changing and changeless, Fr. Bill+ Building Spiritual Habits Part 6
St. Augustine prayed, “Help me to grow in the four Cardinal Virtues, Your Seven Gifts and Your Twelve Fruits.” We return after two weeks apart, so I will offer this short review: As Christians, we are expected to manifest the Twelve Fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives. These Twelve Fruits are different from the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Seven Gifts are granted to us during our Baptism and perfected through the Sacrament of Confirmation. They are as follows: 1. Wisdom 2. Understanding 3. Counsel 4. Fortitude 5. Knowledge 6. Piety 7. Fear of God The Seven Gifts serve as Virtues for us to follow, while the Twelve Fruits are the actions that those Virtues produce. As we grow in our knowledge and love of the Lord, we will manifest these Fruits in our lives as Christians. The Fruits are: 1. Charity 2. Joy 3. Peace 4. Patience (Forbearance) 5. Kindness 6. Goodness 7. Faithfulness (Long Suffering) 8. Mildness 9. Faith 10. Modesty 11. Self Control (Continence) 12. Chastity. So where did this list come from? St. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, wrote: "Now the fruit of the Spirit is charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, long-suffering (or longanimity), mildness, faith, modesty, continence, and chastity love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control, chastity." (5:22-23) This list of twelve is the translation from the Latin Vulgate, which Augustine combined with his own scholarship. (See part 5) In this portion of the letter, St. Paul presents the Fruit of the Spirit in contrast to the “works of the Flesh.” The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 5:19-23 In this way St. Paul makes clear the marked difference in perspective and effect of our nature and God’s gifts. Galatians 5 encourages his readers that, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (24) and are now ready to receive the Fruit of the Spirit. When a person accepts Christ as Savior, they receive the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome their sin nature and develop the character of Christ. When a person opens themselves up to God in the Spirit, the Holy Spirit will gift them the Fruits and guide them in life. The fruits are described in words that we use often and so are easily understood. Not so easily applied and lived out, however! Love (Charity of Spirit) It is no coincidence that Paul puts “love” first in the fruits of the Spirit. The Greek word for love in this instance is agape. It is the highest form of the different kinds of love expressed by distinct Greek words, including eros (romantic love), philia (friendship love) and storge (familial love). Agape is the kind of love God has for his creation. It is pure, selfless and self-sacrificing. It always seeks the best for others — even enemies — at all costs. A beautiful description of agape love is found in 1 Corinthians 13. God shows his agape love for us in sacrificing his only Son to save us from our sinful nature. Joy The joy Paul refers to in Galatians 5 is much deeper than a sense of happiness or gladness from life’s circumstances. It is a profound delight and rejoicing that comes from knowing and serving God. This is a deep, resonant Joy that is found even in the face of tragedy and sorrow because this Joy is the presence of God. Peace The peace that comes from the Spirit is not just breathing normally in times of distress; it is as oxygen, a balm, a solemn place, a resonant bastion. It is Christ's peace, a peace which passes all human understanding (John 14:27). Patience (Forbearance) *Patience may also be called longsuffering or forbearance as synonyms of “patience.” We seek to cultivate patience in our fast-paced lives and are painfully aware when we are not able to. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, has a never-ending supply of patience to flood the Christian’s heart always, especially at those times when it is needed most. Kindness This fruit of the Spirit is a natural result of love. When God’s Spirit begins to develop love in the Christian’s heart, treating others with kindness, compassion and forgiveness is what follows. In fact, once the foundational fruit of love is flowing through one’s life, not only kindness but also gentleness, forbearance, goodness and other attributes listed in Galatians 5 will naturally follow. Goodness This fruit of the Spirit is an attribute of action. It means living one’s life with good morals and motives as well as doing good things for others. Producing the fruit of goodness is a servant's joy and the true mark of godliness. Faithfulness (Longanimity) Faithfulness (Longanimity) is being patient even when being provoked. While Patience involves tolerance, Faithfulness means enduring quietly and remaining steadfast in the midst of attacks of others. This is the ability to go to Christ in the midst of turmoil and personal affront. Mildness (Gentleness) The way a Christian engages with others is what the fruit of Mildness is all about. The ability to discern when to use a gentle word is a valuable gift of the Spirit. Especially in tense moments, when unkind words or manners are the typical first response. The Christian who responds with gentleness is a true reflection of Jesus and the kingdom of God. Faith Faithfulness is especially important to God. No matter what life brings, God expects his disciples to be unwavering in their faithfulness to him as well as to the people in their lives. Trustworthy, loyal, constant, dependable. The Christian who produces the fruit of faithfulness embodies all these attributes. Modesty (Humility) Being Modest means being Humble. It is believing that any of our successes, Blessings, and talents are Gifts from God. In knowing what we are able to do or what we have done is from God, Modesty does not revel in self, but gives the glory to God. It also means being content with what we have and not harboring any selfish ambitions. Self-control Because of human sin nature, everyone’s personality has negative impulses and qualities. Overcoming them is a constant tug-of-war. The Fruit of Self-Control is the power of God’s Holy Spirit to help them identify and overcome temptation and weakness. Chastity (Continence, Morally Pure) Chastity (Continence) means giving ourselves to Christ completely, whether as a priest, religious, or layman. All vocations are called to be chaste in their way of living. Chastity also means indulging our physical desires within the right context such as being sexually pure before marriage and by remaining faithful to one’s spouse. As we grow in the likeness of Christ through prayer, study and devotion, the Holy Spirit alone through God’s grace realizes the Fruit of the Spirit in us. The moment a person accepts Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence in that person’s life. And it is the Spirit’s power that transforms and molds the person into Christ’s likeness. This is a process of relationship and constant-mindedness. It doesn’t just “happen.” You are the object of Christ’s love, and you are called into the depth of that love. Your devotion will produce fruit even as you struggle, consciously changing your thoughts and behaviors to mirror the will of God. You will find that this becomes easier as the fruits are manifested. You will simply be loving, joyful, kind, etc. as the aspects of your life and character change, expressing the fruits that you have been given. Christ has an important role to play in this transformation. Start today. With each thought, word and action, stop and contemplate how, if Jesus was beside you, He would want you to be—and then be it. That idea or opinion, those words of anger or frustration, that act (or lack thereof)—where does it come from? Is it pain, pride, fear, or God that motivates what you are about to do next? By spending time in God’s presence and being immersed in prayer and his Word, the answer will become implicit as you share the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. St. Augustine prayed, “Help me to grow in the four Cardinal Virtues, Your Seven Gifts and Your Twelve Fruits.” Praying to grow, Fr. Bill+ Building Spiritual Habits - Part 5
St. Augustine prayed, “Help me to grow in the four Cardinal Virtues, Your Seven Gifts and Your Twelve Fruits.” Last week we talked about the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. They are wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, godliness—and fear of the Lord. These gifts, granted to Christians at their baptism and perfected in the Sacrament of Confirmation, are like the virtues we spoke about three weeks ago. They make the person who possesses them disposed to make proper choices and to do the right thing. If the gifts of the Holy Spirit are like virtues, the fruit of the Holy Spirit are the actions that those virtues produce. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the “charismata” that St. Paul speaks of and Isaiah talks about, are understood as pluralistic gifts (and the term is a plural form of the word “charisma,” which is usually translated “spiritual gift”). As we discovered last week, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are gifts that are given to all believers when Jesus is their Lord and Savior. The Fruit (singular) of the Holy Spirit is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer as he or she grows in knowledge and love of the Lord. At this point it is important to delve into the credibility of St. Augustine’s list of “Twelve Fruit” in the face of criticism that there are only nine. There are actually two versions of the list of the Fruit found in Saint Paul’s Letter to the Galatians (5:22). There is a shorter version, commonly used in the Bible you might have, consisting of nine fruits; and the longer version of twelve fruits found in the Latin Vulgate. Saint Jerome, a contemporary of St. Augustine, translated the Old and New Testaments from Hebrew and Greek into Latin. Jerome’s translation was eventually called the Vulgate, a formalization of its description into a proper title. The Latin phrase editio vulgata means “common version” and vulgus, common people. As the Latin Bible grew in use, it was referred to as the Vulgas (English Vulgate) simply meaning “common.” The Vulgate contained three more fruits than the Greek text. This is not innovation, but rather an extrapolation. When Jerome translated the Greek, he found that some of the Greek words meant more (contained more meaning) than their Latin counterparts. To effectively translate the meaning of the Greek, Jerome had to add a divided description in the Latin. St. Augustine read both Hebrew and Greek as well as Latin. Latin and Greek were the most used languages in the Roman Empire, with Latin predominantly spoken and used throughout Western Christendom. As Jerome’s Vulgate grew in popularity, there is no doubt that Augustine would have used it in his Bible study. The Vulgate was the unofficial standard Bible of the church, made officially standard at the Council of Trent in 1546. In 1943, Pope Pius XII wrote an encyclical entitled Divino Afflante Spiritu, which mandated future translations of the Bible be made from the original languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) and not directly from the Vulgate. In 1979, the Roman Catholic Church produced a new translation, the Nova Vulgata–New Vulgate, using the primary texts. The former Vulgate is still regarded as authentic, the official description decreed in 1546. In historical context, "authentic" was used to mean "authoritative" for specific Church uses, particularly among the Latin editions of the Bible available at that time. Today, the Vulgate is deemed "authentic" in the sense that it is a trustworthy and reliable text for liturgical use and for defining doctrine in matters of faith and morals, free from fundamental errors in those areas. It's crucial to understand that "authentic" in this context does not mean the Vulgate itself is considered divinely inspired in the same way the original texts are believed to be. Its "authenticity" stems from its long-standing usage and the Church's affirmation of its freedom from errors in faith and morals. Though St. Augustine consulted the Vulgate at the beginning of its usage, that translation was and still is regarded as an authoritative version, thereby supporting St. Jerome’s division and addition of three to the Fruit of the Spirit. Next week, we will dive into the Twelve Fruits for a better understanding of how God equips us for ministry and service. This week, pray for a manifestation of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life. The Fruits are: Charity, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Long Suffering, Mildness, Faith, Modesty, Self Control, and Chastity. In Prayer, Fr. Bill+ Building Spiritual Habits - Part 4
St. Augustine prayed, “Help me to grow in the four Cardinal Virtues, Your Seven Gifts and Your Twelve Fruits.” Two weeks ago, we dove into the deep pool of God’s intention and purpose. Realizing that God designed our bodies and our spirits for the same purpose, we recognize that our own habits are set against us. Utilizing a prayer written by St. Augustine and asking God for help attaining the four Cardinal Virtues, Seven Gifts and Twelve Fruits, we began our journey. Last week we swam through the Cardinal Virtues, what they are, and why they are important–neccessary for us to grow spiritually. Today we wade into the Seven Gifts. The Seven Gifts that St. Augustine is speaking of comes from Isaiah 11:1-3: A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord (godliness)—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; In this passage, Isaiah refers to seven spiritual powers that would be given to the Messiah to help fulfil his mission. In the original Hebrew text, Isaiah listed six gifts of the Spirit but mentioned the gift of the fear of the Lord twice. When this passage was translated into ancient Greek, the scribes used two different words for “fear of the Lord.” The first time they translated it “godliness” and the second time, more literally, as “fear of the Lord.” This is why Christian tradition speaks of seven gifts rather than six. In chapters 32:15; 42:1; 44:3; 59:21; and 61:1, Isaiah says that this same Spirit of the Lord would also be poured out on the people who recognize and worship God. As the church grew, this list became a cornerstone of Baptismal proclamation and Confirmation as the visible means for people to receive the Holy Spirit. That being said, there is also a separate list of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, which is based on St. Paul’s letter First to the Corinthians: To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues (12:8-10) The best way to understand these two lists is as St. Augustine drew this distinction: the seven gifts listed in Isaiah are received by all Christians and the nine listed by Paul are given to particular individuals for the good of the Church. In this way we understand that St. Augustine was acknowledging the already present gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed on every believer. This is very important as so often people question their “value” or sanctity based on the second list. If they have not received one of the nine gifts, are they really beloved, saved, good? The answer to this question must begin with the acknowledgement of the already present seven gifts. You must grow into the reality that as you have recognized Jesus as the Messiah and pledged yourself to Him, you have received the Holy Spirit. Growing into this truth leads to the deepening of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, godliness--and fear of the Lord already received and makes possible the reception of particular gifts. What must you do to grow into the profound truth that the Holy Spirit is living in you? How MUST you change your world view to honor God for your faith and to know the Messiah as the center of your life? A more detailed explanation of these gifts will guide you as you lean on them to grow in them. 1- Gift of Wisdom: This gift detaches us from the world, relegates the events and concerns of the world to God. Wisdom makes us relish and love only the things of heaven, and to interpret all the things of this world through heavenly sight. It helps us, for example, to understand and live the glorious fact that God is our Father, and we are His children. You are a child of God and as God’s child will live out the example and instruction we learn from him. 2- Gift of Understanding: This gift helps us to grasp the truths of religion as far as is necessary. To understand and live the value of prayer, love, faith, hope, the Trinity, the Father, Jesus, the Spirit, the brothers, the creatures of God, the snares of the devil. Upon this gift, we understand our place in God’s plan and live our lives. 3- The gift of Counsel: This gift is the supernatural grace that helps us make sound judgments and wise decisions, particularly in moral and spiritual matters. It enables us to discern God's will and choose actions that lead to holiness and salvation. 4- The gift of Fortitude or Power: This gift gives us power and courage to overcome the obstacles and difficulties that arise in the practice of our devotion. We are able to fight the world, the devil, and most especially the bad inclinations of our own flesh with the power of God. 5- The gift of Knowledge: This is the spiritual gift that enables a believer to understand and apply spiritual truths, often related to the Bible and the Gospel, in a way that is insightful and helpful to others. 6- The gift of Piety (Godliness): Inspires us with a tender and filial confidence in God, and makes us joyfully embrace with love all that pertains to His service, the liturgy, the sacraments, and the prayers. 7- The gift of Fear of the Lord: This is a deep respect and awe for God's majesty and holiness. It's a gift that motivates a person to avoid sin and attachment to worldly things out of love and reverence for God. It's a filial fear, similar to a child's fear of disappointing a loving parent, rather than a servile fear of punishment. Ask God’s help to live into the gifts you have already received. Ask the Father to direct your mind and heart as you see better Spiritual Habits. Prayerfully, Fr. Bill+ |
AuthorFather Bill Burk† Archives
November 2025
Categories |
RSS Feed