Spiritual maturity consists in living one’s commitments as the deepest truth of the person. In this article, we explore how commitment is not a burden, but rather the highest expression of our freedom and personal being. This continues the series Bond, Freedom, and Human Maturity.
Introduction: Commitment and the Human Condition
Talking about commitment means delving into the radical condition of the person. Indeed, our freedom expresses itself through bonds that are both promise and gift. Within commitment, the depth of the created being is revealed, which is constituted as openness and coexistence.
Therefore, the person is understood as a being called to bond. It is a matter of establishing ties that are not merely external relationships, but acts that engage intimacy and shape history. In this way, commitment manifests the unitive character of the person and their ability to integrate their relationship with the cosmos, with others, and with God. Ultimately, this turns existence into a self-giving expression that unfolds the deepest meaning of human life and spiritual maturity.
Commitment as an Expression of the Personal Being and Spiritual Maturity
From the Polian perspective of the created person, the most radical aspect of the human being is their “act of being.” This primordial reality can be described as a unitive bond. Likewise, human existence is articulated through different levels of bonding: with the cosmos, with history, with other human persons, and with God.
In this sense, the fullness of existence integrates a self-giving dynamic from both the Creator and the creature. The latter accepts the gift of being and sets in motion the creative inspiration of culture. Consequently, human life is configured as an articulation of the person’s commitments, which is a sign of true spiritual maturity.
Intimacy as a Source for Living One’s Commitments
Commitment manifests personal intimacy: coexistent, free, knowing, and loving. Specifically, this mode of bonding is unique to the person and does not occur in other beings. Commitment reveals the “being” within the human essence.
In this way, from this radical personal activity flow the ultimate meaning of decisions and actions. Here, knowing and loving are not understood simply as mental faculties. On the contrary, they are personal acts that are projected vitally and nourish spiritual maturity.
Bonding and Promise: Openness to the Future
The personal being is, by nature, bonding. This is a very peculiar connection that carries a promise with it. Therefore, the promise implies mastery over the future and openness to a transcendent meaning, which awaits acceptance from the one to whom it is directed.
Furthermore, in this horizon, God bonds with creation through providence. This expresses divine love and the commitment to maintain the link with the personal being. This recognition is fundamental to achieving spiritual maturity.
Self-giving Bond Toward God, Others, and History
The created person is bonding. On one hand, they bond with God, who can accept them in fullness. On the other hand, they bond with other people, creatures, and history. These creaturely bonds express the transcendental dynamic of committed love.
Consequently, every act of giving shapes and fertilizes the vital and social fabric. As Leonardo Polo states:
“The created person, as such, is immediately open to giving. This giving is their offering to God. It is the offering of works. If I offer my works and God accepts them, He gives them a divine value. Thus, I enter into Glory not only with my being, but with my works.”
Because of this, personal reality is always understood as a unity of life.
Conclusion: The Highest Meaning of Spiritual Maturity
Commitment, understood from the notion of the created person, manifests the intimate dynamic of the coexistent, self-giving, and bonding being. In summary, it expresses a radical openness to the Absolute, to others, and to history. This configures human life as a web of bonds born from freedom.
Ultimately, human existence reaches its highest meaning when viewed as a framework of commitments. Far from limiting freedom, these fulfill it through self-giving love. Spiritual maturity consists precisely in embracing this truth. it is letting committed love guide our decisions and actions toward their ultimate destiny.
Finally, in this light, spiritual maturity is understood as the capacity to live one’s commitments in fidelity to the deepest truth of being.
- In the relationship with God: Prayer and the response to one’s vocation manifest the acceptance of the gift received.
- In human coexistence: Friendship and love show that freely promised fidelity shapes identity.
- In history: Dedication to cultural, educational, or service projects demonstrates that commitments leave a fruitful mark on the world.
Graciela Soriano
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