Growing in maturity

I SUPPOSE this is everyone's concern. We may not openly talk about it, but it's understood that we all want to attain it.

The problem is that the silence about this matter has led us to many other problems -- confusion and outright errors, not only doctrinal errors but also clearly moral aberrations -- that threaten to create a first-class world disaster.

We need to talk about it. Haven't you wondered, for example, why there is now a growing number of people who seem to refuse to mature?

Despite their age and other endowments, they are notoriously irresponsible, bratty, always wanting to pursue the easiest and most pleasure-giving routes in life.

It's not just a matter of manners, mind you, even if on that count alone we can cite endless cases of immaturity.

We refer more to a certain fear, observed in many people, of taking up responsibilities, of making and standing by their commitments. Many don't like to make decisions, or they are not willing to face the consequences of their actions, etc.

Many married people are the usual examples. Declaring and promising ardent love in their marriage, they turn cold, and even go to the extent of separating, once the real burden of marital commitment is felt.

We need to talk about maturity if only to clear the air a little, so to speak, from so much pollution. From there, let's hope some tangible improvements can be obtained in the lives of persons and of our society.

There are, of course, many points, aspects and levels of discussion involved here, all of them legitimate and giving some objective contribution. But one point, I feel, that should not be neglected is its religious basis.

This, to me, is not only the ultimate basis but also the constant foundation of maturity. For what does it mean when we say one is physically, psychologically, mentally, or socially mature, etc., if the real basis for maturity is missing? We'll just be fooling ourselves.

On this point, it may be helpful to cite some passages from the Psalms that precisely talk about what causes and constitutes maturity.

Psalm 118 has this to say:

"Through thy commandment, thou hast made me wiser than my enemies for it is ever with me.

"I have understood more than all my teachers, because thy testimonies are my meditation.

"I have had understanding above ancients, because I have sought thy commandments." (98-100)

So, it is not just age or some educational attainment that make one mature. It is something else -- it is in one's adherence to the ways of God, his Creator and Father.

In the New Testament, one can cite some passages of Paul's letter to the Ephesians to reinforce and further develop the same point.

"He gave some apostles, and some prophets... for the perfecting of the saints... until we all meet into the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure and the age of the fullness of Christ." (11-13)

Of course, it may be argued that such assertion would first of all require some Christian faith, a supernatural gift that should not be considered, as some people claim, to be automatically given to everyone. Worse, one may freely reject it.

Fine. But this is precisely the time to examine more closely -- especially among Christians, ourselves -- the objective content of the Christian faith. In the first place, one has to overcome that sticky anti-religion prejudice that has wrought great havoc in the lives of many people.

There are those who regard the Christian gospel as already passé, obsolete, unable to effectively tackle present issues, questions and problems. This is unfortunate, for it is simply baseless.

What usually happens is that the sacrifices and difficulties involved in following the Christian faith is immediately considered as the uselessness or irrelevance of the Christian faith. Many are notoriously myopic and cannot see the whole picture.

As if the so-called practical and convenient ways to tackle human problems have yielded real liberation and justice, authentic peace and joy for everyone!

This is a point that should not be deemed simply as a very private matter, not to be discussed in public. Yes, the discussion may stir some controversy, but there is no other way but to tackle head-on the question of what makes our maturity -- for the good of all.