...that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God...
In one of his typically long, spontaneous sentences Saint Paul describes his hope that his Colossian disciples are "growing in the knowledge of God."
We might ask what does that kind of growth look like? How do I know if I am growing, or if someone dear to me is growing in the knowledge of God? How will life be different with spiritual growth?
Paul gives us several clues in this passage. First, there is the "knowledge of God's will." Our Jesuit pope has reminded the Church that God does have an intention for every person and every group of persons in his Church. As he calls the Synod on Synodality together he insists that we should ask the Lord, "What are we to do?" And he believes the whole church can come to some agreement on this.
There are ways to discern God's will. The Jesuit founder, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, described the process. It began with the personal decision that nothing is more important doing what God wants. And that is no small decision! The ego can instantly think of a million reasons why we should not consider God's plan for us, beginning with the "possibility" that there is no God. ["And if there is," as Philosopher Jean Paul Sartre famously said, "there shouldn't be."]
But let's move on. Books have been written on discerning God's will, from many different perspectives.
Growth also entails walking "in a manner worthy of the Lord." Godly persons do not engage in all the foolish entertainments, pursuits, and obsessions of this world. We have better things to do. And it shows. Just as you can recognize many people from afar by the way they walk, so should Christians be recognized by their walking in a manner worthy of the Lord. Our speech first of all, is seemly. When I served as a hospital chaplain in the VA, my office mate often objected to my unseemly speech, reminding me to clean it up a bit. God bless her! I needed the reminders!
Our habits, courtesy, thoughtfulness, and practices of charity will also be worthy of the Lord. There is much to consider here.
We should grow in the knowledge of God, meaning we study! Too many Catholics can tell you the standings of the NFL, NBA, or NHL but cannot name a dozen saints or explain words like consubstantial or incarnation. If they know the Mass schedule of their local church, they're considered pious! As Bishop Robert Barron said recently, we must not dumb down our religion. If ignorance of the law is no excuse for crime, we should not plan to plead ignorance before God's judgement seat.
Continuing his essay on growth in the knowledge of God, the Apostle adds strength, endurance, patience, and joy. God loves a cheerful donor!
Saint Paul remains as the original spiritual director; he urges us to grow daily in faith, that we might walk in the Way of Christ despite a godless world.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.