It is 27th October 2018. The readings are from Ephesians 4:7-16; and the Gospel from Luke 13:1-9. It is time grow up in Jesus through our faith and service to the humanity. Our growth must be integral and inter-connected. Individual growth in every sphere of life is celebrated only when it is shared with the other individuals of the community. Everyone of us need to grow to the fullest in every way possible and building the Body of Christ in the bruised humanity. We are the gifts of God with all our potentiality to do the best we can to create and construct the structures of love with mercy and forgiveness. To grow up one needs to be united with every other person. Coordination, collaboration and cooperation with others are so much needed for the wholistic growth of a person. Individualistic growth with selfishness and segregation are not going to benefit anyone in the community. Growing up in our faith requires truth and love in the Spirit of God. Everyone us need to build and unite the Body of Christ as one. Since we have received the gifts from God, we need to become the gifts to the society and the people around. Our pains and burdens are reduced when we share our gifts with others and allowing them to participate in our lives as we wish to share our gifts with them. Personal redemption through Jesus is celebrated in the unity in diversity among all people. In the first reading, St. Paul insists that we all need to grow up in Christ by connecting with others to strengthen the bond of love with one another and to keep the Body of Christ as whole. “We shall grow in all ways into Christ, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to its function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love.” (Eph.4:16). Every single person is so unique in their contribution in building the Body of Christ. No one can be undermined and disjoined by any person. Everyone’s contribution and role are so significant however tiny they might be. Every individual needs to be valued, shared and celebrated for the growth of the entire body. The responsorial Psalm praises, “I rejoiced when I heard them say: ‘Let us go to God’s house.’” (Ps.121:1). The Gospel reiterates that every fruit tree expected to bear fruits. A tree that is potentially fruitful cannot occupy the space, and being looked after by others go on remain unfruitful. Our fruitfulness comes in our personal repentance. Our willingness to shed the unwanted things to allow the growth to happen. God manures our life with God’s love and mercy all the time we need to grow. God has done all that God has to do in our growth. God cannot force repentance on us. It is up us to repent and make sacrifices to grow up. Growing up and being fruitful are not possible for the ones who cannot make sacrifices. God has gone out of God’s ways through God’s mercy to make us fruitful one more time. If we have chosen to remain in sinfulness and selfishness, we will never be fruitful. God offers innumerable chances to be fruitful through mercy and forgiveness. We need to make efforts to connect with God in order to grow up and be fruitful. Are we remaining in the Church without repentance? Without constant repentance we all can end up being fruitless. May the Lord help us to grow up to be fruitful to the Church, the Community and to the society at large. May you have a good day. God bless you.