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Tuesday, March 7, 2000

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Sts. Perpetua & Felicity


2 Peter 3:12-15, 17-18
Psalm 90
Mark 12:13-17

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ready, get set, grow

"Grow rather in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory be to Him now and to the day of eternity! Amen." —2 Peter 3:18

Many Biblical scholars believe that the last verse of the Bible chronologically is 2 Peter 3:18. The Lord's last word in the Bible may be His command to grow in grace. The Lord wants us all to become like Him and grow in age, wisdom, and grace (Lk 2:52). He orchestrates our lives so that we will be "complete in Christ" (Col 1:28), "grow to the full maturity of Christ the Head" (Eph 4:15), and "form that perfect man who is Christ come to full stature" (Eph 4:13).

To grow, we must:

  • eat the spiritual food of God's word (Mt 4:4) and the Eucharist (Jn 6:55),
  • exercise and "train" ourselves "for the life of piety" (1 Tm 4:7), and
  • suffer (1 Pt 1:6) that we "may be fully mature and lacking in nothing" (Jas 1:4).

Growth is a grace. Only God can make us grow. However, the grace of spiritual growth is not imposed on us. We should decide to act to receive God's grace. The last word of the Bible and the first word of this Lent of the year of the Great Jubilee may be: "Grow...in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pt 3:18).

Prayer:  Father, may I grow more in this year than in several previous years combined.

Promise:  "Their amazement at Him knew no bounds." —Mk 12:17

Praise:  St. Perpetua, whose terror was increased by anxiety for her young child, was permitted to hold and nurse him before she was led to her execution.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, July 28, 1999


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 3, 1999