spiritual growth or abortion
"Be as eager for milk as newborn babies — pure milk of the Spirit to make you grow unto salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." —1 Peter 2:2-3
On Pentecost we received the Holy Spirit in a new way. As at the first Pentecost, the Lord is transforming His people and making us His witnesses even to ends of the earth (see Acts 1:8). Yet will this Pentecost have its full effect? Will we grow in the Spirit or abort our new life in the Spirit?
To grow in the Spirit, we must "be as eager for milk as newborn babies — pure milk of the Spirit" (1 Pt 2:2) to make us grow unto salvation. The milk, food, and meat of the Spirit is the word of God (see Heb 5:12-14; Mt 4:4). The body and blood of Jesus in Holy Communion is also our spiritual food and drink (Jn 6:55). If we let the Lord feed us His body, blood, and word, we will grow in the Spirit.
However, many Christians have lost their appetite for spiritual nourishment. The newspaper is read more often than the Bible. A morning cup of coffee or a TV program are a higher priority than daily Communion. We have glutted ourselves with the pleasures of the world and ruined our appetite for the things of God. We are spiritually starving, anorexic, and stunted in our growth. We must repent and crucify our flesh with its passions and desires (Gal 5:24). Then we will want spiritual food. Then we will eat and grow in the Spirit.
Prayer: Father, may I reappraise my lifestyle in the light of Christ (Phil 3:7).
Promise: "The blind man said, 'I want to see.' Jesus said in reply, 'Be on your way! Your faith has healed you.' " —Mk 10:51-52
Praise: Fasting and praying before the Blessed Sacrament keeps Vincent spiritually well-nourished.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Spiritual Anorexia on audio AV 101-1 or video V-101.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 23, 2007
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