July 23: Growth and Maturity / Crecimiento y Madurez

The corn and grass seed fields in the Willamette Valley are abundant with growth and well on their way to harvest this year. Many home gardens are showing signs of growth as well and tomatoes are getting red. As we know, every living thing begins from a seed and the Scriptures are filled with images of God’s Word being sown in our hearts like a seed – in order to grow and mature.

Did you know that, in nature, many seeds require a resting period after falling from the parent plant or being planted in the ground by a farmer or gardener?  Important changes take place during that resting period, eventually making the seed ready for germination, but a favorable environment is essential. That favorable environment is made up of adequate water and oxygen, and a suitable temperature. When these conditions are not present, the seed is prepared to wait… and wait.

Are we as patient as God needs us to be for the Faith to germinate in us? Are we doing anything to provide a favorable environment for its growth? Do we delight in how God makes it grow and mature?

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Los Evangelios nos recuerdan que los sarmientos no darán ningún fruto si están separados de la vida. Traducido en cristiano: que si no estamos unidos a Jesús, que es la Vid, es imposible que demos fruto. Si los Santos de la Iglesia fueron capaces de dar frutos de santidad para la vida del mundo es porque en toda su vida se mantuvieron unida a la Vid, a Jesús. Ahí encontraron la fuerza para hacer todo lo que hicieron, para enfrentarse a las dificultades que encontraron y para vivir entregados a la oración y al servicio de los pobres. De todo ello fueron capaces porque estuvieron siempre bien unidos a Jesús. Es suficiente para que pensemos un momento donde estamos nosotros.