the grown-ups
“John had told Herod: ‘It is not right for you to live with your brother’s wife.’ ” —Mark 6:18
Today we badly need people like St. John the Baptizer (see Mk 6:17ff). We need courageous men and women who will speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15) and stand up for purity. This requires mature Christians, not “infants in Christ” (1 Cor 3:1) “tossed here and there, carried about by every wind of doctrine that originates in human trickery and skill in proposing error” (Eph 4:14).
How mature are you in the Christian life? Among the many signs of maturity are the following:
- an awareness of being called by God (see 1 Cor 1:1, 2). Do you see life as being many integrated callings from God?
- a deepening desire for holiness (see 1 Cor 1:2). Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness and holiness more than for pleasure or anything else? (see Mt 5:6)
- an attitude of gratitude (see 1 Cor 1:4). Do you continually thank God always and for everything? (Eph 5:20)
- a hopeful expectation of the day of the Lord (1 Cor 1:7; Mt 24:42), when Jesus will return and all will be judged.
Using these four guidelines, check your maturity level. Thank the Lord for the maturity you have. Repent of not being more mature. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you holy, that is, “fully mature and lacking in nothing” (Jas 1:4).
Life is challenging. The Lord has an astounding plan for your life. Satan hates you and is trying to drag you into hell. You are going to face tremendous difficulties. You will need all the maturity you can get. Grow fast and deep in maturity.
Prayer: Father, I repent of stunting my growth through selfishness.
Promise: “The Lord loves those that hate evil; He guards the lives of His faithful ones.” —Ps 97:10
Praise: St. John the Baptizer told the truth, and the truth set him free from fear of failure and death (see Jn 8:32, 36).
Reference:
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, 2025, through September 30, 2025. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 8, 2025"
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.