“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23, ISV)
Faithfulness.
Faithfulness is associated with fidelity, dependability, truthfulness, commitment, devotion etc. We cultivate faithfulness by being faithful.
Faithfulness is relational. Thus, it is critical to Spiritual “well-centeredness”, as well as the Social dimension. One cannot be faithful without the other “fruit”—love, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control.
Faithfulness is intentional. Thus, one is unfaithful by choice. One cannot commit adultery and claim they did not mean for it to happen. We choose to be faithful—or not.
According to St. Augustine, “By faithfulness we are collected and wound up into unity within ourselves, whereas we had been scattered abroad in multiplicity.” Faithfulness is unifying. All relationships depend upon faithfulness. All relationships presume trust, commitment, truthfulness, etc. One cannot be in relationship without faithfulness.
Cultivate faithfulness in relationships—be it marriage, family, work, or community—by being faithful. Be truthful. Be honest. Be dependable. Be available—physically and emotionally. Put others ahead of self. Work on relationships and take nothing for granted. Show your faithfulness by your actions. (No one will take your word for it, otherwise.)
Carpe momento. Choose to be faithful in all things.