Growing
We do not exactly know how seeds grow into big plants. But we can see the changes week by week or month by month. Nor do we have a good concept of time. Yes, we know a day, or even a week, or a month. We can see plants change over time. But the best example of growth is when we have Commitment Day at church. We have not been able to do that recently, but I hope we can soon. Commitment Day is when we invite the Confirmation Students to come forward to sign a book making a commitment to continue their studies and receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
On the same day, I like to have the second graders who are preparing for First Communion also sign a book making a commitment to study and prepare themselves to receive Holy Communion. I then have the youth line up, Confirmation students in back and second graders in front for a group picture. If you ever wondered what ten years looks like here is the best example. The second graders look so young and innocent. The Confirmation students are adults now. You also realize that this growth took ten years, it did not happen overnight. Parents will wonder how did this happen so quickly?
We grow in the same way. For those of you who are old enough, remember 2001? What was your favorite song? Were you in school? Working? Raising a family? It was not that long ago, just twenty years. But now think of 2041! Will you still be here? Will you be working? Will your family have left the nest? After all, it is just twenty years. Looking back, it is not that long ago. Looking forward, well it could be a lifetime.
How have you grown in faith this past twenty years? How will you grow in faith this next twenty years?
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen