A Spirituality of Growth

 

   If I am not moving forward I am becoming stale or regressing.  This is true in most aspects of life and is certainly true in spirituality.  Complacency is a danger to my spirituality.  I can never become satisfied with where I am; I must continue to move forward.

   It’s so easy to get into a spiritual life of habits rather than growth.  We go to Mass on  Sunday, pray the Our Father, the Rosary and other standard prayers and we think all is well.  These are all great habits to foster but they aren’t the total answer.  A minimalist Catholic misses so much in their relationship with God.  We must step out of our comfort zone and challenge ourselves in our spiritual life.  Otherwise we become stagnant and our faith never increases, our trust never deepens, and our love never soars with the pure joy of loving our Lord.

   There are so many ways to continue spiritual growth.  Most parishes offer adult education classes; sign up for some.  Take on-line courses in theology or church history; maybe even get a degree.  If these ideas seem too aggressive or if time is an issue, find and read books about the saints, the history of the church, never forgetting to include a continuing study of scripture.  There are few who can’t find a few minutes in the day to read a few pages or a few verses of scripture and the reward is well worth the effort.

   Learning more from books and classes is wonderful, but don’t let them over-ride a strong, solid prayer life.  We can know all there is to know about the church but if we aren’t putting it into practice in our prayer life and in the way we live we are not nourishing our soul, we are not communing with God.

   Never stop growing, never stop learning, never stop spending time with God each and every day.  Don’t settle for a spiritual life of nothing but habits, choose to grow closer to God in every way, every day. 

Let me know You in all ways.

Teach me Your laws.

Help me to always grow.

Your will not mine be done. 

Amen