Growing

Good morning, happy Friday and blessings.

Today our reflection is in 1 Peter 2: 1-10, where the apostle Peter gives us some direct advice on living for Christ by eliminating things that put us in opposition one with others. It also reminds us of our spiritual birth and shows us that it is time to grow and move towards maturity in Christ! The challenge in this passage during Lent is that we, as Christian people, are called not to destroy, but to build the family, the church of God.

The church, believe it or not, has all the detractors it needs. There are plenty of folks out there ready at the drop of a hat to tear at the church, to try to destroy what it is, and the one it stands for. There are plenty of fault finders out there, plenty of critics. We are not called to tear down, we are called to build up. There is much too much tearing down one another, too much unwillingness to look at the good and bring them to the fore so that the church may follow those things that are good. If a Church is doing something good, we don't want to hear about that, but we will go out of our way to hear the latest gossip and spread it on to the next person no matter who it may hurt. That is not building up the church, that is helping to tear it down.

We can highlight four lessons from this biblical narrative and use them as an inspiring source to create changes in our lives in this Lent that bring us closer to Jesus: God desires spiritual maturity; Christ-followers will suffer; and Christ-followers must lead holy and godly lives. Let’s listen to the word of God talking to us: Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good (I Peter 2:1-3).

Blerssings

Fr. Luis+