Behaviors of the Holy Spirit

Homily for the Memorial of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

In the first reading for today’s liturgy, St. Paul creates two lists: a list of works of the flesh and a list of the fruits of the Spirit.

In order to understand St. Paul’s point, we must first remember that Jesus, and later St. Paul, came to proclaim the nearness of the Kingdom of God. It is at hand; it is meant for us and we for it; and God desires nothing more than for all of us to live in it in God’s presence. Neither Jesus nor St. Paul minces words when they see behaviors that keep us from living in the Kingdom of God.

The works of the flesh are behaviors that feed our personal egos and selfish desires without any concern for how they impact others. Ultimately, these behaviors will not bring us happiness or peace. Happiness and peace are only obtained by surrendering to God’s will. It is God’s will that our lives be governed by behaviors that are fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for feeding their own personal egos and selfish desires without paying attention to the foundation of the Law. Love of God and love of neighbor is the foundation of the Law. When we look at the list of behaviors that are fruits of the Holy Spirit, we are immediately confronted with the words that describe God’s behavior toward us.

Today we remember St. Margaret Mary Alacoque to whom was granted several visions of Jesus. When Jesus revealed the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary in a dream, he took her heart from her side, and put it into his fiery heart, which blazed like a furnace. Then he placed her heart back in her side, saying: “There, my well-beloved, is a pledge of My love. I have shut into your side a little spark from the living flames of My love.” Thereafter, devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus became her mission in this life. When we look at the list of St. Paul’s behaviors of the Spirit – namely love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – they are abundantly evident in the expression of love that we find in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

As we receive the Eucharist, let us examine our own hearts. What parts of ourselves are we reluctant to surrender to God’s will? Where have we acted in our own self-interest or selfish desires. As we receive Jesus, let us imitate St. Margaret Mary and allow God to direct our lives.