The Kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in the garden. When it was fully grown, it became a large bush, and the birds of the sky dwelt in its branches. -Lk 13: 18-19
Friends, God is good, all the time.
Investors and economists consistently rely on Economic Indicators as a valuable tool to guide the decisions they make for their investments and the economy. And to the avid investors, such indicators are useful to help determine both the direction the economy is going and how fast or slow it is getting there; no avid investors wish to fail in their investments.
Christian growth also has indicators that help us determine which direction we are going with our Christian life and whether we are on track or off track. Notice how Jesus applies two brief parables about the mustard seed and yeast to proffer for our admiration the fundamental indicator of God's kingdom. Jesus shows how the yeast acts on the dough inwardly and how the mustard tree grows outwardly resulting in expansion and usefulness. The parables point to the unprecedented growth of God’s kingdom and our inclusion in it. Hence, the Christian must experience both inner and outward growth for the good of oneself and others.
So, here are some indicators of Christian growth we can apply to assess how we are growing in our Christian faith and how we must invest in our holy enterprise:
1.Prayer: Are you praying more or less? You know you are growing as a Christian if you make time to pray often to keep your relationship with the Lord.
2.Teachings: Are you living by Biblical and Church teachings? Christian growth occurs when it becomes easier to follow the instructions of the Bible and the doctrines of the church instead of living according to our own sets of rules.
3.Eucharist: Do you feel heavily drawn to the Eucharist? Just as eating food helps nourish our body and spirit, so is the Eucharist, the bread of life. Desiring to receive Jesus in his body helps to connect us to him physically, emotionally, and spiritually to grow into him.
4.Love: St. Paul sums Christian love in the relationship between the husband and wife in today’s reading, saying, "He who loves his wife loves himself." You know you are growing as a Christian if love for God and others becomes easier to practice now than before.
5.Forgiveness: Forgiveness is indispensable for Christian growth. Through the sacrament of reconciliation, we seek to build a sounder relationship, with God, others, and ourselves. You know you are growing well if it's not difficult for you to seek reconciliation and forgiveness for yourself and give it to others or you don’t discount them as unnecessary.
Prayer blessings:Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.To you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.