Jesus said they will know us by our fruit. Is the Holy Spirit producing fruit in me, or am I putting forth the rotten fruit of self-indulgence and self-reliance? Here's how to take a spiritual inventory with St. Paul in Galatians 5.

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LOVE the Word™ is a Bible study method based on Mary's own practice: lectio without the Latin.

Listen (Receive the Word.)

Observe (Choose one or more of the following personality approaches to connect the passage to your life and recent events.)

Augustinian -  Where has the Holy Spirit pointed out the rotten fruit of self-indulgence in your life? What about self-reliance? Remembering that you are in His presence, take a spiritual inventory of the "good fruit": love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. What comes to mind?

Franciscan - Take a field trip this week to a vineyard, orchard, or vegetable or flower garden; what do you notice about growth? What will happen to the fruit you see? If there is no fruit, what happened to the fruit that was once present? What would you do with a plant that did not and would never bear fruit?

Ignatian - Imagine you are walking with Jesus through the vineyard when He says, " You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (Matthew 7:16-20). As you walk with Him through the rows of grapes, what is Jesus doing with His hands? Can you smell the sun on the dirt and leaves? Do you hear the wind, or birds? How do the grapes taste on your tongue? How do they feel in your hand? What's in your heart right now?

Thomistic - Memorize the nine fruits of the spirit listed in the Augustinian exercise, above, along with the reference (Galatians 5:22).

Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)

In your journal or on your journal page (get a free page and user guide to the right), write down your thoughts and feelings regarding the Word you heard and observed in this episode. Has He spoken to you about a particular "pet" sin or habit? What do you sense God wants you to do this week about what you've heard and observed with Him? Take some time to talk to Him about that.

Entrust (May it be done to me according to your word!)

Holy Spirit, this week, please help me abide more and more fully in Jesus, the Vine. Bring to my mind, in those important moments of choice, to turn to You and lean on You for the fruit-bearing that reveals me as a true child of God. In You, I will be a sound tree that bears good fruit. Amen.

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*LOVE the Word™ exercises are offered according to the four personalities, or "prayer forms," explored in Prayer and Temperament, by Chester Michael and Marie Norrisey: Ignatian, Augustinian, Franciscan, and Thomistic. These prayer forms correspond to the Myers-Briggs personality types.
Episode Resources
How is the Holy Spirit also using the daily readings this week to speak to you about your fruit? Here's our Facebook community where you can post or chat with others about your daily #LOVEtheWordtakeaway.
References
Mat 7:15-20  "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit,