Obstacles to spiritual growth stand out

April 23, 2006 -- Second Sunday of Easter

By Bishop Robert Morneau

	Bishop Robert Morneau
	Questions for reflection: 1. How do you measure your spiritual growth? 2. Are disobedience, fear, and doubt issues you have to deal with? 3. Who are the people around you who give evidence of growth in the risen life?

During this Easter season, one of the important graces the liturgy proposes is that of growth in our life in Christ: "Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you." Thus do we pray in the opening prayer for this second Sunday of Easter.

Increase! Grow! Fullness of eternal life! We see this happening in the first reading. The community of believers are truly concerned about one another. Through their generosity and sharing, no one is in want. More, through sacrifice, the believers are willing to sell property and homes lest their sisters and brothers in the faith lack necessities. Through the power of the risen Lord, their lives were transformed and a new society was being constructed.

But there are obstacles to our spiritual growth and development. Three in particular stand out: disobedience, fear, and doubt.

In John's first letter (our second reading), we are reminded that it is by keeping the commandments, especially the commandment of love, that we give evidence of our life in Christ. But John goes on to speak about two other factors that are necessary if we are to fulfill this commandment. One is faith. "And the victory that conquers the world is our faith." This radical conviction that God first loved us is essential if we are to love one another. Our faith in Christ is the source of energy for living selfless lives. Another factor that counters our tendency to disobedience is truth. The Spirit is truth, John so clearly states. And the truth is that all that we have and are is grounded in God's generosity. The truth is that everyone is our sister and brother; all are members of the Mystical Body of Christ. The truth is that anyone who loves is truly begotten by God. Growth depends upon faith and truth, gifts offered to us by the risen Lord.

But fear is also a part of our human condition. It is not surprising that time and time again the historical Jesus urged the disciples not to be afraid. But they were. They were afraid of storms, afraid of non-acceptance, afraid of death (just like the rest of us). In today's Gospel they are afraid once again as the risen Lord breaks into their lives. Jesus has to breathe on them and share His Spirit to dispel their fear. And how transformed the disciples were as they ventured forth with great courage to deal with sin and death. They now shared with the community the gifts they had received. They began a long journey of growth and increase in the life of grace.

The third obstacle to growth and spiritual development is doubt. We are so familiar with that famous line: "Unless I see . . ." Doubt is a state of mind that paralyzes the soul, darkens the mind, and sours the heart. Quickly it can turn into cynicism and cause a stagnation that leads to a wasted life. In an age of doubt, we need to expose ourselves to individuals and communities that truly believe.

The German poet Goethe got it right: "Those who have ceased to grow, find nothing right." To prevent becoming a peevish person we must pray: "Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you."

(Bp. Morneau is the auxiliary bishop of the Green Bay Diocese and pastor of Resurrection Parish in Allouez.)