Post-feast of the Entrance of the Mother of God. Our Holy Fathers Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium (4th c.) and Gregory, Bishop of Agrigentum (7th c.).
Nativity Fast.
Galatians 5:22-6:2. Luke 10:19-21.
Read Galatians 5:22-6:2
If we are honest with ourselves, brothers and sisters, we will have to admit that within us a war is being waged against things that we feel we are “naturally” inclined to do which are actually sinful and rob us of our freedom. Overeating, cheating on a spouse despite being in a fulfilling marriage, envying the gifts of others, none of these things “make sense” and yet we continue to be drawn toward these patterns of sinful behaviour. Thes are disordered passions in our lives and are consequences of our fallen and damaged human nature, and over time they rob us of our freedom to love.
St. Paul shows us in our reading today that overcoming these passions isn’t done in isolation but through the work of a community. Gentle correction and continual self-examination are essential for growing in the fruit of the Spirit.
Ambrosiaster writes:
What he is saying is that if we live well and honestly we should also express this in good conduct. This is what it is to live in the Spirit: to have an unblemished life. We walk in the Spirit if we study peace. For this is what engenders love. It is, on the other hand, empty glory to seek a victory where there is no prize, so that someone would end up having only a zeal for strife and spiritual competition. These things tend toward discord and wrangling. (Epistle to Galatians 5.26)