a growth-spurt
“It is God’s will that you grow in holiness.” —1 Thessalonians 4:3
The Lord told Paul to tell the Thessalonian Christians to grow in holiness (see 1 Thes 4:3) and to please God by their conduct even more than before (1 Thes 4:1). The Lord expects and delights to see His children grow holy in every aspect of their conduct (1 Pt 1:15).
In fact, the Lord probably wants us to have a growth spurt in the last part of this year. Little children and teenagers commonly grow several inches in a short time. Likewise, we who are God’s children can grow in holiness in a greatly accelerated way. The Lord delights to see His children grow quickly to great levels of holiness.
Because we love the Lord, we want to please Him by growing holy as deeply and as quickly as possible. Let us commit ourselves today to obey the Lord in any and every way so as to grow holy. Let us live, suffer, and die for holiness. May holiness be the greatest desire of our hearts because it is the greatest desire of the Lord’s heart.
Prayer: Father, may I want holiness more than anything else.
Promise: “Keep your eyes open, for you know not the day or the hour.” —Mt 25:13
Praise: St. Monica’s husband was ill-tempered and unfaithful.Monica loved him and prayed daily for him. He repented and converted to faith in Jesus a year before he died.
Reference: (We offer a retreat for the divorced and separated, Sept. 17-19. Receive consolation and direction from the Lord, Who will never abandon you. Call 937-587-5464 or 513-373-2397 or visit our website, presentationministries.com, for more information or to register.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from August 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Vicar General, Chancellor, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 12, 2021"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.