SAINTS NEREUS AND ACHILLEUS, MARTYRS (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

Go and bear fruit that will remain. 

Berries, grapes, bananas, apples, oranges, and more. We expect to find these in the produce section of any grocery store. What we don’t always remember are the people who planted, fertilized, picked, and packed this fruit along the way. The fruit we enjoy is the result of their labor.

Something similar is true of spiritual fruit: it’s the result of labor. But when it comes to growing this kind of fruit, the Holy Spirit does the lion’s share of the work. He is intimately involved in pruning, fertilizing, and helping this fruit to grow.

Sometimes the pruning comes in the form of a gentle nudge as he urges us to change in a certain area. Other times he uses circumstances that stretch us. But in every case, the Spirit asks us to respond to his work as we try our best to make the changes he is moving us toward, even if we do it in small steps. At the same time, he is reminding us that his grace is always available to us. We can rely on that grace even as we make the effort required to grow his fruit in our lives.

So what are the different kinds of fruit that the Spirit will bear in us? There’s the fruit listed by St. Paul: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). There’s the fruit of evangelization, as we share God’s love with the people around us. There’s the fruit of godly relationships, where we learn to love one another as Jesus commands us (John 15:12). And there is so much more—all valuable fruit that makes the kingdom of God present in and around us.

Perhaps today you can focus on the fruit of peace. Reflect for a moment about how the Holy Spirit knows every concern on your heart. Let that truth bring you a greater sense of peace and surrender to him. Maybe the Spirit is asking you to let go of some worry and to trust that he is there for you. Or maybe he is asking you to find a little extra time today to be with him. Whatever it is, know that as you respond, you’ll find greater peace, and you’ll become a more visible sign of his love to the world!

“Holy Spirit, help me to bear fruit that remains.”

Acts 15:22-31
Psalm 57:8-10, 12
John 15:12-17