To mature manhood

“And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood to the extent of the full stature of Christ, so that we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming.” (EPH 4: 11-14)

“Mature manhood” is God’s project for us, a life-long process “until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God.” God gave us all kinds of help “to equip the holy ones” (from Apostles to teachers) for building up the Body of Christ, which we are. The goal—“the extent to the full stature of Christ” and “mature manhood”—means the whole Church and my whole life.

“I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion that he may live.” (Gospel Acclamation)