grow
"The congregations grew stronger in faith and daily increased in numbers." —Acts 16:5
The Lord is very interested in the growth of individuals and congregations. He delights in our growth as a parent delights in their child's first step or first word. The Lord wants congregations to grow both in faith and in numbers (see Acts 16:5). Growing in quality and quantity are not two separate types of growth, but eventually go together. If we truly have a strong faith, we will be strong in evangelizing and leading many to Christ.
The Lord wants every Christian and every Christian congregation to grow in age, wisdom, and grace as He did (see Lk 2:40, 52). He commands us: "Be as eager for milk as newborn babies — pure milk of the Spirit to make you grow unto salvation" (1 Pt 2:2). So let us "grow to the full maturity of Christ the Head. Through Him the whole body grows" (Eph 4:15-16).
The second letter of Peter is possibly the last book of the Bible chronologically. In the last verse of the last chapter of what may be the last book of two thousand years of written, divine revelation, the Lord commands us: "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 Pt 3:18). The last word is "grow."
Prayer: Father, in these last two weeks of the Easter season may I grow by leaps and bounds.
Promise: "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own; the reason it hates you is that you do not belong to the world. But I chose you out of the world." —Jn 15:19
Praise: When Sarah was discouraged by her lack of spiritual growth in one area of her life, her confessor advised her to focus on the cross.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet Mission Impossible or on audio AV 46-1 or video V-46.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 23, 2007
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