Galatians 5:18-25 / Luke 11:42-46
For those of us who have "green fingers" and like to plant things and have some space around the home to do so, then we would know about creepers and climbers.
Creepers are plants with weak stems that cannot stand upright and spread on the ground. Examples are pumpkins, watermelon and sweet potato.
Climbers are plants with weak stems and they would need the support of a stick or a fence. Examples are grapevine, money-plant and cucumber.
If we had grown cucumbers before, then we will notice, as well as be amazed, how the "branches" seem to "know" where the supports are and reach out for it slowly. It seems like those "branches" have "eyes".
The 1st reading tells us that if we are led by the Spirit, then we will experience the gifts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control.
And surely we want those gifts. But we must also reach out to the Spirit in order to be led by the Spirit.
But we also know that our hearts have the "eyes" to know where the Spirit is leading us to and what the Spirit wants of us.
And the 1st reading also tells us that in order to reach out and to be led by the Spirit, then we have to crucify all self-indulgent passions and desires.
If the climber plants "know" how to "look" for support and growth, then let us look to the Holy Spirit and let our hearts be directed by the Holy Spirit and grow in the love of God.