Reflection - Maturity

http://usccb.org/bible/readings/101216.cfm

Galatians 5:18-25
Luke 11:42-46

On occasion the Scriptural readings for the day direct the reader to something other than a reflection on the events described in the text. When that happens the word presented for consideration usually leads in an abstract or philosophical direction. Such is the case this morning; so you will, I hope, concede the necessity of this being as much a teaching as a reflection. Nevertheless, rather than begin with the abstract, I want to start with something more concrete and more familiar.

I have three sons. Watching them grow and develop was both a pleasure and a fascinating phenomenon. In their infancy I held them, literally straddling my arm as they rested between my hand and my elbow. By the time they were in college, just picking them up would have been difficult. My experience is not unusual; rather, it's a normal occurrence. The progression toward physical maturity is practically invincible. It just bulldozes its way through during those first  twenty years of life. Science has even determined that in most ways we reach our physical peak during our twenties and from there it's a slow slide downhill. Still, progress toward physical maturity can be either diminished or promoted by our intentional cooperation.

Human or emotional maturity is an entirely different matter. It has no age-set optimum. Unlike physical maturity, which proceeds toward actualization without assistance and according to its own timetable, the movement toward emotional maturity does require assistance. The ordinary encounters  brought about by living in community --- family, peers, associates and even those met during ordinary social intercourse --- usually provide that assistance; for the development of emotional maturity flows from learning to respond appropriately to life experiences. Ideally, it results in an ability to comprehend and deal with the realities of living. Nevertheless, a personal openness to learn and change is required.

A few people seem emotionally mature very early in life; and the signs which are indicative of that maturity can easily arouse surprise and wonder. Conversely, 'glitches' occur for most of us as experiences can awaken inappropriate responses or debilitating psychic postures. I am reminded of Marty McFly, the teenager in the "Back to the Future" movies whose reason was overruled by emotion whenever someone called him "yellow." Fortunately, for most of us, immaturity during our adult years is restricted to just a few areas of our lives, maybe, even, just one. In the past, in my own life, I have recognized such emotional immaturity by examining those situations where my emotional response to circumstances or events rode rough-shod over my reason. But, as noted before, nothing will change without my cooperation.

Both readings this morning address matters of spiritual maturity, a potential within us that has its own parameters. Our existence as living, sentient, rational, self-aware creatures insures the existence of a spiritual core. 

In this morning's reading Jesus berates the Pharisees and scholars of the law who not only perpetuate a childish approach toward spiritual growth but are, simultaneously, duplicitous in doing so. Nothing demonstrates that immature attitude more incontestably than their insistence on legal obedience - unless, I.e., you can finagle a rationale for circumventing it. Paul takes the conversation a step further. It is certain, he says, that there are behaviors that are obstacles to spiritual development; and he lists several. But it is also certain, he says, that true spiritual growth has its roots in attitudes or mind-sets rather than actions. And again, he provides a list.

There are elements of commonality between emotional maturity and spiritual maturity; but there are also notable differences. Both have the optimal potential to grow and thrive when immersed in an environment where maturity has progressed beyond the elementary level. Clearly this points to the necessity of a Christian community. Both require attentiveness and a willingness to change on our part. Both can stagnate at any given level of development. That's why we sometimes observe that "Some people just never grow up!" But, when we examine Paul's other  list, the one in which he enumerates the fruits of the Spirit --- when we examine that list in the context of the entire gospel, the achievement of spiritual maturity and even progress toward it raises serious questions.

Paul mentions love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Let me reflect on just a few in light of the entire gospel. Can we really love God with our whole heart, our whole soul, our whole mind and our whole strength by ourselves? Can we really love our neighbor as ourselves through our own efforts? Can we achieve, through human persistence alone the peace which Jesus says only he can give? Is it within our human grasp to be merciful as our Heavenly Father is merciful?

Only the one who has never tried to achieve any one of these would insist: I could do so if I wanted to.

There are times when it appears to me that we have become too wrapped up in our own theology and dogma. No Christian will deny that The Son of the Father was born as the man, Jesus, and that through his life, death and resurrection he accomplished our salvation. But what exactly does that mean? Well, we can say he came to save us from sin and death and that would be true. But if we say the same thing in different words the implications change, at least they do so for me. The Scriptures tell us He came to be Immanuel, God with us. He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. He came so that we might become, through union with him, true sons of our Heavenly Father. That's what salvation means; not just escaping the consequences of sin, but being raised to a new state of existence: an existence in the presence of God, life in abundance, living eternally in the inner life of the Trinity. The Father did not send his Son to earth so that we could be better men. He sent his Son to earth so that we could be sons. 

Mature means having reached a final or desired state. Spiritual maturity is all about reaching the desired state of being sons of our Father.  That's why we can't reach it on our own. That's why the Father sent his Son. That's why Jesus has sent us his Spirit.