grow
"Grow." —2 Peter 3:18
Many of you have received the Holy Spirit in new and greater ways this Pentecost. Now the question is: "Will you quench the Spirit (see 1 Thes 5:19) or grow in the Spirit?" The Lord commands us: "Grow rather in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pt 3:18). "Grow to the full maturity of Christ the Head" (Eph 4:15). "You, beloved, grow strong in your holy faith through prayer in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20).
The incarnate Jesus Himself grew "in wisdom and age and grace before God and men" (Lk 2:52; see also Lk 2:40). We must imitate Jesus and grow in the Spirit. If we do not, we will lose the growth we have previously had and we will die, for a living organism cannot stay the same (cf Mt 13:12). We grow or die.
Although devastating consequences threaten those who don't grow, these are not the main reasons we wish to grow. We grow to please our Father. Abba created us to grow. He even sent Jesus to die that we may grow. He sent the Holy Spirit to live in us that we may grow in holiness. Abba is pleased when His children grow. Let us grow in and for Him.
Prayer: Father, smile at my growth.
Promise: "Their amazement at Him knew no bounds." —Mk 12:17
Praise: Roger and Donna regularly travel to Haiti to bring provisions, medicines, and the gospel to the country's poor.
Reference: (For information or to register for the following Discipleship Retreats: "Our Vocation to Love," June 29-30, "Our First Love: What it Means to be Sons and Daughters," July 1-3, or "Loving Brothers and Sisters in Christ," July 3-5, call 937-587-5464 or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, December 4, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 10, 2001