Come Holy Spirit Series Week 10 Part B Fruit of Self Control.

 Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit 

The Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control

Scripture:
“…God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7

 

Unlike love or joy, which often flow outward, self-control is inwardly focused — the gift that helps us hold back when every part of us wants to surge forward. It helps us choose the narrow road when the broad road looks easier. It keeps our hearts in check, our tongues from lashing out, our impulses from overruling wisdom.

And yet, self-control isn’t about harsh restriction or rigid repression. Rather, it’s a liberating strength — the Spirit’s gentle yet firm guidance helping us live in alignment with Christ, rather than being pulled about by fleeting emotions or unchecked desires.

 

The Challenge of Self-Control

We all know the moments:

• When anger bubbles up uninvited.
• When we’re tempted to gossip, to snap back, or to indulge in something we know isn’t good for us.
• When we want to run from responsibility, rather than embrace our cross.

Self-control, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is what makes us pause… breathe… and choose Christ.

As St. Paul reminds us, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training… but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Corinthians 9:25). This spiritual training — this habit of choosing God over the self — is what slowly transforms us into people of integrity, grace, and true freedom.

 

Cultivating Self-Control

If we’re honest, most of us don’t naturally enjoy limits. But self-control isn’t about denying ourselves for the sake of denial — it’s about surrendering our will in order to grow in holiness.

Here are a few gentle ways to cultivate this fruit in daily life:

• Pause before reacting. Ask, “Is this response rooted in love?”
• Create space for silence. Often, impulsivity grows louder in constant noise.
• Practice fasting — even small ones. Not just food, but anything we’re overly attached to.
• Invite the Holy Spirit into moments of temptation. Whisper, “Lord, reign here too.”

 

A Prayer for Self-Control

Holy Spirit,
You see the places in my life where I struggle to choose wisely.
Teach me to walk in freedom — not according to my desires, but according to Your will.
Strengthen me to pause, to listen, and to choose the better way,
Even when it’s hard.
Grow in me the gift of self-control,
That I may reflect the quiet strength of Christ,
Who gave His all in perfect love.
Amen.

 

Final Thought

The fruit of the Spirit begins with love and ends with self-control — not by accident. The first is the root of all Christian life; the last ensures that love is lived consistently and faithfully, especially when no one is watching.

Let us allow this fruit to take root deep within us, so that even in moments of struggle, we can reflect Christ’s steady hand, His patient heart, and His trust in the Father.

Collect Series: Twenty Second Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C

 

COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT

 

The Collect for the Twenty Second Sunday of Year C reads as follows:

 

God of might, giver of every good gift,

Put into our hearts the love of Your name,

So that, by deepening our sense of reverence,

And, by Your watchful care,

keep safe what You have nurtured

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

One God for ever and ever.

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

 

Converting this prayer into spirituality in action, the following reflection questions emerged:

 

1.What are the good gifts God has given me this past week?

2.What are the good gifts I hope to receive this coming week?

3. How can I love God’s name this coming week?

4. How have I not honoured God’s name in the past e.g. Allowing people to use God’s name in conversation which does not honour Him or do I use His name in conversation myself?

5.What does reverence mean to me and how I deepen my sense of reverence?

6. How has God nurtured me and how can I bring that sense of nurture to others?

 

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

 

Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7–14

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

 

Reflection

In today’s Gospel, Jesus attends a meal at the house of a leading Pharisee and notices how the guests choose the places of honour. He responds with two teachings — one about humility and one about generosity.

1. Humility Before God and Others

Jesus invites us to resist the temptation to seek recognition and status. In a world that often rewards self-promotion and influence, He calls us to a different way of living — a way where greatness is measured not by where we sit at the table, but by how we serve others.
True humility does not mean putting ourselves down; rather, it means seeing ourselves truthfully — as loved children of God — and allowing God to place us where we belong.

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)

Humility opens the door for God’s grace to work in us. When we stop striving to make ourselves important, we become free to love without fear and serve without seeking reward.

 

2. Generosity Without Expectation

Jesus also challenges us to widen our circle of care. He encourages us to invite those who cannot repay us — the poor, the lonely, the forgotten. This teaching mirrors the very heart of God, who gives abundantly without expecting anything in return.

In doing so, Jesus invites us to reflect God’s generosity in our relationships. Our reward is not found in earthly recognition but in the joy of sharing God’s love, and ultimately, in the eternal banquet of heaven.

 

Practical Takeaways for the Week

• Examine your heart: Are there moments when you seek recognition or control? Offer them to God in prayer.
• Practice hidden acts of kindness: Do something good for someone who cannot repay you.
• Choose humility: When tempted to compete for attention or status, ask Jesus for the grace to be content where you are.

 

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
Teach me to walk humbly with You and to serve others with a generous heart.
Free me from seeking recognition,
And help me to love as You love —
quietly, deeply, and without expecting anything in return.
Amen.

 

 

 

 

Come Holy Spirit Series: Week 9 Part B: Fruit of Faithfulness.

 

Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit

The Fruit of Faithfulness

Scripture Focus

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” — Proverbs 3:3

What Is Faithfulness?

Faithfulness is the steady, unwavering commitment to God, to others, and to what is right—even when it’s difficult. It’s about showing up, following through, and standing firm in our promises. In a world where so much is fleeting and uncertain, faithfulness is a quiet but powerful witness to God’s steadfast love.

To be faithful is not only to believe, but to remain anchored in that belief when doubts arise, when life doesn’t go to plan, or when no one else is watching. It’s loyalty with endurance. This fruit often grows through hardship, as we learn to trust God deeply and act with integrity regardless of reward or recognition.

 

Scriptures Related to the Fruit of Faithfulness

Here are a number of beautiful and meaningful scripture verses that connect strongly with the fruit of faithfulness, either by directly referencing it or by reflecting its spiritual depth and character

1. Galatians 5:22–23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…”
This is the foundational verse listing faithfulness as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

2. Lamentations 3:22–23

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
A powerful declaration of God's unwavering faithfulness as our model and anchor.

3. 1 Corinthians 4:2

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
Faithfulness is a quality expected of anyone entrusted with responsibility—spiritual or practical.

4. Psalm 37:3

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Often read as a call to faithfulness in daily life—trusting and remaining in the Lord.

5. Matthew 25:21

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
This well-known verse shows that God's reward is tied to our daily, humble faithfulness.

6. Hebrews 10:23

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
This passage links our human faithfulness to God's divine reliability.

7. Proverbs 20:6

“Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?”
This reminds us of the rarity and value of true faithfulness among people.

8. Revelation 2:10

“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
A powerful encouragement to persevere faithfully to the end.

9. Psalm 31:23

“Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him…”
A beautiful affirmation of God’s protection for the faithful.

10. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
A reminder that our faithfulness is founded on the reliability and power of God.

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Would you like these collected into a 1-page downloadable PDF for your blog readers or personal reflection? I can prepare that for you.

 

Practicing Faithfulness in Daily Life

Faithfulness blossoms through small, repeated acts of trust and integrity. Here are a few ways to cultivate it:

• Begin each day with a moment of commitment — a prayer, a scripture, a pause to reorient your heart toward God.
• Keep your word — even in small things. Let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no (Matthew 5:37).
• Be loyal in your relationships — show up for others even when it’s inconvenient or unseen.
• Persevere in prayer — especially when answers are delayed.
• Stay consistent in your spiritual practices, even when enthusiasm wanes.
• Trust in God’s faithfulness — let His reliability strengthen your own.

 

Journaling and Reflection Prompts

Spend time with the Holy Spirit this week reflecting on these prompts:

1. Where in my life have I seen God’s faithfulness clearly?
2. What areas of my life need more consistency or reliability?
3. Am I faithful to the commitments I’ve made — to God, to others, and to myself?
4. In what ways do I struggle with faithfulness when things don’t go my way?
5. How does Jesus model faithfulness in the Gospels?
6. What might be one small act of faithfulness I can do today?

 

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit,
Grow in me the fruit of faithfulness.
When I feel tired or discouraged, steady my heart.
When I feel pulled in many directions, remind me of what matters most.
Shape me into a person who is reliable, trustworthy, and anchored in Your truth.
May my faithfulness be a reflection of Yours — constant, merciful, and strong.
Amen.

.

 

Collect for 21st Sunday of Ordinary Time Year C

 

COLLECT SERIES

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COLLECT

 

 

The Opening Prayer for the Twenty First Sunday of Year C reads as follows:

 

O God, who cause the minds of the faithful to unite in a single purpose,

grant your people to love what you command

and to desire what you promise,

that, amid the uncertainties of this world,

our hearts may be fixed on that place where true gladness is found.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

 

Converting this prayer into spirituality in action, the following reflection questions emerged:

 

1.What is the single purpose to which I am united?

2.What are the commands that God wants to love?

3. Which of these commands do I struggle with most often and what can I do to change this?

4.What are the promises of God that I need to desire?

5.Where is my heart fixed right now and where will I fix it this coming week?

6. What are the uncertainties of my world that I can bring to God this coming week?

 

GOSPEL REFLECTION

Gospel Reflection: Luke 13:22–30

"Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able."

 

Context of the Passage

In this passage, Jesus is journeying toward Jerusalem, teaching along the way. When someone asks Him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” Jesus doesn’t give a numerical answer but instead redirects the focus: salvation isn’t about how many are saved but about how each person responds to God’s invitation.

 

Key Themes

1. The Narrow Door

The “narrow door” represents the challenging but rewarding path of discipleship. It’s not about being perfect but about wholehearted commitment.

• The door is “narrow” because it requires humility, surrender, and trust in God’s mercy.
• Jesus warns that it will not remain open forever — there is urgency in choosing to follow Him today, not tomorrow.

 

2. Knowing About Jesus vs. Knowing Him Personally

Jesus says that some will say, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets,” but He will reply, “I do not know you.”

• Being familiar with religious practices or Christian culture isn’t enough.
• True discipleship flows from a living relationship with Jesus, expressed through love, repentance, and mercy.

 

3. The Great Reversal

Jesus shocks His audience by declaring, “Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

• Salvation isn’t based on status, knowledge, or heritage — but on faith and openness to God’s grace.
• Those considered “outsiders” may enter before those who assumed they were “safe.”

 

Reflection Questions

1. What does the “narrow door” look like in my own life right now?
2. Am I living out my faith in a way that transforms my daily choices, or am I just “near” Jesus without truly following Him?
3. Are there areas where I need to let go of pride, self-reliance, or complacency so I can walk more freely with Him?
4. How can I better respond to God’s invitation today, rather than postponing my “yes” for later?

 

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to choose the narrow door each day.
Give me the courage to leave behind distractions and sin,
the humility to rely on Your grace,
and the love to follow You wherever You lead.
May I never presume upon salvation but live each day seeking You with all my heart. Amen.

 

Moments with the Gospel Series: The Guest without the Wedding Garment Mt 22:1-14

 

Have you ever wondered about the guest without the wedding garment? I was meditating on this Gospel this morning and it occurred to me that even though Matthew 22:1-14 is a parable, Jesus often used imagery drawn from real-life customs so His audience would understand the deeper spiritual meaning. 

Let me explain the cultural context around the wedding garments and why the guest without one stood out

 1. Wedding Customs in the Time of Jesus

In first-century Jewish culture, weddings were major community events, often lasting several days. When a wealthy or prominent host — like the “king” in this parable — held a wedding banquet, it was customary to provide special garments for the guests.

• These garments symbolized honour, joy, and respect for the occasion.
• Guests would be expected to put on these robes upon arrival.
• Failing to wear one would be seen as an insult to the host — effectively saying, “I accept your invitation, but on my own terms.”

This tradition is supported by historical writings (e.g., Josephus, Talmudic references) that describe wedding hosts supplying appropriate attire, especially when the feast was given by someone wealthy, like a king.

 2. Why One Guest Didn’t Wear a Wedding Garment

In the parable, the guest had no excuse for not wearing the garment because:

• The host provided it.
• Other guests were wearing theirs.
• To refuse was an act of defiance or indifference.

In the cultural setting, showing up improperly dressed wasn’t about poverty or inability — it symbolized rejecting the Honor and requirements of the host’s invitation.

 3. The Spiritual Meaning

Jesus’ audience would have understood the cultural point immediately, but He used it to teach a deeper truth:

• The king represents God.
• The wedding banquet represents the kingdom of heaven.
• The garment represents righteousness — the transformation God provides when we accept His invitation.
• The guest without the garment symbolizes someone who wants the benefits of the kingdom but refuses to be changed by God’s grace.

It ties beautifully to passages like Isaiah 61:10:

“He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness.”

4. Why Jesus’ Listeners “Knew” This

Jesus’ audience was very familiar with:

• The expectation of proper garments at weddings.
• The shame associated with being found unprepared.
• The social and religious symbolism of cleanliness and clothing — which was deeply tied to covenant life in Jewish thought.

That’s why this parable would have struck them powerfully. It wasn’t about fashion; it was about acceptance and transformation.

Reflection Questions

1. Receiving the Invitation
• How am I responding to God’s daily invitation to draw closer to Him?
• Are there moments where I’ve been “too busy” with other things to enter into His presence?
2. Wearing the Garment
• In what ways am I allowing God to “clothe me” with His grace, forgiveness, and love?
• Are there areas of my life where I resist transformation — wanting the blessing but not the change?
3. Examining My Readiness
• If God invited me to His banquet today, would I feel ready to enter?
• What might I need to “leave behind” to accept His invitation fully?
4. Living the Gospel Today
• How can I live today as someone who is already seated at God’s table?
• What small act of love, kindness, or forgiveness can I offer that reflects my “wedding garment” to others?
5. Hearing God’s Voice
• What part of this passage stirs something deep within me today?
• Could God be inviting me to take one concrete step — however small — toward Him this week?

 

Come Holy Spirit Series Week 8 Part B Fruit of Gentleness

 Come Holy Spirit Series

Come Holy Spirit 

Come Holy Spirit: The Fruit of Gentleness

Scripture Focus

“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
— Philippians 4:5

A Gentle Spirit in a Harsh World

Gentleness is often misunderstood as weakness. Yet in Scripture, gentleness is a sign of strength under control, of a heart that has been softened by grace and shaped by the Spirit. Jesus Himself, our perfect model, describes His heart as “gentle and humble” (Matthew 11:29). Gentleness is not about being passive or timid—it’s about being grounded in peace and led by love.

This fruit of the Spirit enables us to respond with patience when provoked, to restore others with compassion rather than condemnation, and to speak truth in a way that heals rather than harms. Gentleness is both balm and boundary, tenderness and quiet strength.

 

Practicing Gentleness in Daily Life

If we want the fruit of gentleness to grow in our lives, it must be nurtured. This fruit ripens slowly as we learn to listen, to soften our tone, and to see people through God's eyes.

Some gentle practices to consider this week:

• Approach conflict with humility. Ask: What does love require of me right now?
• Choose a kind tone, even when setting boundaries or correcting someone.
• Respond to your own mistakes with grace. Gentleness begins within.
• Practice active listening. Offer presence without rushing to fix or advise.
• Handle creation with care. Gentleness extends to the way we treat animals, nature, and all life.

Gentleness is the quiet courage to remain soft in a world that often feels hard.

Journaling and Reflection Prompts

Take time this week to sit with the Lord and explore these prompts:

1. Where have I witnessed gentleness in someone else’s life?
2. When have I been moved or healed by a gentle word?
3. In what situations am I most tempted to react harshly?
4. What would it look like to be gentle with myself today?
5. Who in my life is in need of a gentle response or gesture?
6. How does Jesus model gentleness for me in the Gospels?

 

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, and shape in me a gentle heart.
Soften the places in me that have become hard or sharp.
Teach me how to speak the truth in love,
to restore rather than wound,
and to carry Your presence with a light touch but great strength.
May Your gentleness in me be a quiet witness to Your nearness.
Amen.

 

 

Collect Series Collect for Twentieth Sunday Year C

 Collect Series

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COLLECT

 

O God, who have prepared for those who love you

Good things which no eye can see,

Fill our hearts, we pray, with the warmth of Your love,

So that, loving you in all things and above all things,

We may attain Your promises,

Which surpass every human desire.

Though our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,

Who lives and reigns with You in unity of the Holy Spirit,

One God, for ever and ever.

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

 

What are the good things you hope that God has prepared for you?

How is my relationship with God currently? What areas need to change?

What does God’s love look and feel like to you?  What areas in our lives can we emulate God’s love?

How will I love God in all things and above all things this coming week (Name at least one way I can do this with the grace of God helping me).

What are the promises of God which surpass every human desire?

 

 

Gospel: Luke 12:49–53

"I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!"

Today's Gospel from Luke 12:49-53 is another one of those Gospel's that should make us sit up and take notice. Why because in a good proportion of his Gospel, he speaks of peace. 

 However, Jesus is telling his disciples (and us) that peace comes at a price/ a cost.  It has to be gained and it can be anything but peace.  

 Standing up for what is right and holding out when the popular opinion cries something else is often very difficult for people to do. Sometimes they lack courage, they fear what will happen to them. They may be ostracised for their beliefs from those whom they love most and those whom they thought would support them. No, they stand alone it seems.

Even though a stand for the right takes courage, the good news is that Jesus is always with us.  Yes, we may be ostracised, fearful, lack courage and yet, if we know in our hearts that we need to stand up for the truth and/or for the right, we need to, for the sake of our souls, speak up. We cannot allow injustice to have free reign.

In most occasions, we do not have to speak out on the world stage- if that is our calling, then Jesus will give us the courage to fulfil our destiny.

However, battles are lost or won in the day to day-in the family, at work, in the parish, even doing grocery shopping.  Where ever we are, we need to stand up for what is right and be prepared to take the consequences in the full knowledge that we know we have Jesus on our side.  We can then know that we are not alone, that we will have the courage, the words and the disposition to speak up and out when it is necessary not only when it is convenient or will not cause us any harm.

 

A Piercing Gospel

This Sunday's Gospel may feel confronting. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, speaks of fire, division, and not peace. It may seem startling. Hower Jesus is not contradicting Himself—He is revealing the cost of discipleship and the refining nature of the Gospel.

The Fire of the Spirit

When Jesus says, “I have come to bring fire,” He is speaking of the fire of the Holy Spirit, the fire of truth, justice, and transforming love. It is not the fire of destruction, but of purification. Fire in Scripture often represents God’s presence—a fire that burns away what is false and ignites passion for what is true and holy.

Jesus desires this fire to be kindled in every heart, to burn away complacency and lukewarm faith. It is a call to courageous and authentic living—not a watered-down Gospel of comfort, but one of conviction.

A Gospel That Divides

Jesus says that following Him will cause division—even within families. This does not mean He wants conflict, but that truth provokes a response. When we align our lives with Christ, there will be times when others reject that choice. Choosing Jesus means sometimes standing alone, misunderstood, or even opposed—just like He was.

The Gospel disrupts false peace, the kind that comes from avoiding conflict, pleasing everyone, or staying silent in the face of injustice. Jesus brings true peace—but it is the kind that comes after the struggle of truth-telling, not instead of it.

 

Reflect and Respond

• What areas of your life need the purifying fire of the Gospel?
• Where are you called to stand firm in your faith, even if it costs you approval or comfort?
• Are you willing to let Jesus ignite a holy fire within you, even if it means shaking things up?

 

A Prayer to Kindle the Flame

Lord Jesus, set my heart ablaze with the fire of your love.
Burn away my fear, my complacency, and my need to please others.
Give me courage to live your Gospel with conviction,
even when it divides or disrupts.