Anna Asks… How can we receive the Holy Spirit more in our daily lives?
When our Confirmation students are preparing to receive that Sacrament, they learn about the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit which will be poured out over them. That language reveals a lot to us. The Holy Spirit plants something in us that will grow. In nature, a fruit seed placed in the ground needs warmth and water as it slowly develops and finally grows revealing it’s fruit. In order to develop the Fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we need to “son bathe” – spend time before the warmth of the love of Jesus Christ. The humble unnoticed work of the Holy Spirit is to quietly rain over us – remember that sometimes comes from clouds, so don’t curse the cloudy days. Eventually with this love and care, fruit appears in our life. Look over the list of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Generosity, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Modesty, Self-control, Chastity. (If you don’t know what any of them are, ask a Confirmation student). As you look over that list, know that they are all available to you through your Confirmation. Be intentional about cultivating them – son bathe and water. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring them to fruition in your life.