Growing in Grace

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)

As cradle Catholics we were baptized as infants… hence the term “cradle”. This Baptism freed us from Original Sin and began our initiation into the Church. I have served as godfather for several of our nieces and nephews since my reversion to the Church. Godparents (or “sponsors” as they are known here) make the commitment to be responsible for the spiritual growth. We are accountable to God for our charge until they are “of age”.

As we learned more and more from our parents and others, we reached a point of being self-aware, but also of being able to decide right from wrong. In some places this is called “the age of reason” or “the age of accountability”. It’s usually at this point that we receive the next steps in our “initiation” as the Church calls it: our First Confession and First Communion. Some of our Radical Reactionary brethren object to that term but one shouldn’t read into it more than the Magisterium intends. Finally, we reach the age to receive Confirmation, in which we are sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Now the primary responsibility for our spiritual condition is no longer with others but with us. Even though we may attend Mass with our parents, it is up to us to make a proper Confession and approach the Eucharist with proper reverence. But many Catholics stop at this point and know nothing more about the things of God than a child knows about politics. This is not what the Lord intended and He provided for us the means to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ” as Saint Paul says.

In Understanding Be Men (and Women)

‘Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” (1 Corinthians 14:20)

Children like simple stories told in simple words that they can grasp. This is why we may read to them from a “Children’s Bible” and not from the King James Version. This is similar to feeding a baby milk and then moving to more solid food as they mature. Many of the catechisms were written on child’s level so that they may be introduced to more of the “meat” of the Catholic Faith and not so much “milk”. But the time comes when they must be introduced to the real Scriptures, Sacred Tradition and the teaching magisterium. There is much more to being Catholic than “Angel of God, my guardian dear...” and “Now I lay me down to sleep…”

Saint Paul had much to say on this subject…much of it addressed to the Corinthians such as the verse above. He told them: “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” (1 Corinthians 3:2) Most of the problems that Saint Paul had with this Church arose out of their lack of maturing in the Truth. Adultery, divisions, abuse of spiritual gifts and even of the Eucharist all resulted directly from their immaturity as Catholics.

He told the Ephesians in Ephesians 4:14-15 “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

Conforming to the Image of Christ
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29)

Adam was created in the Image of God according to Genesis. In theology we call that the “Imago Dei”. But when Adam fell that image became marred by sin. When we are Baptized the process of the restoration of the Image begins and continues all the way from the Baptistery through Purgatory (if needed) to Heaven. Saint Paul tells us, “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” (Colossians 3:9-10)

When we fail to grow we fail to allow the Holy Spirit to continue that work of renewing the Imago Dei in our spirits. Note that Saint Paul says that it is “knowledge” that allows that renewal. There are few things cuter than a little infant. There is, however, nothing cute about a 40 years old “baby Catholic”. Grow in grace, avail yourself of all that the Church provides for you and allow God to renew Himself in you. That way you will be a good soldier of Christ ready to storm those “Gates of Hell” we talked about in “Tearing Down Strongholds”. It’s what we’re here for, after all.