If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

In today’s first reading, St. Paul reminds us of the relationship between receiving the Holy Spirit and living according to the Spirit. He writes, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.” Being a Christian is more than professing our faith or participating in religious activities; it means allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and guide our daily choices.
St. Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruits of the Spirit. The works of the flesh include jealousy, hatred, selfishness, anger, and division, while the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These fruits are not simply good human qualities; they are signs of a life being transformed by God's grace. The more we surrender to the Holy Spirit, the more our words, relationships, and actions begin to reflect Christ.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges the Pharisees and scholars of the law because they emphasize external religious observances while neglecting justice, the love of God, and compassion for others. Jesus is not condemning religious practices themselves. Rather, he teaches that religious observance must be accompanied by a sincere heart and a life of charity. It is possible to appear holy outwardly while remaining unkind, proud, judgmental, or indifferent to the suffering of others.
This message invites us to examine our own lives. Do our prayers make us more patient? Does our participation in the Eucharist help us forgive? Does our knowledge of Scripture make us more compassionate? Do our positions of authority lead us to serve others or to impose unnecessary burdens on them? True Christian maturity is demonstrated not merely by what we know or profess, but by the love we practice.
Today, let us ask the Holy Spirit to remove whatever prevents us from bearing good fruit. May we never use religion to condemn others while neglecting our own conversion. Instead, may our faith inspire us to love God sincerely, treat others justly, and serve with humility. If we truly live in the Spirit, let us allow the Spirit to lead us, so that the fruits of our lives may reveal the presence of Christ.

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