X. MATURITY AND RELIGIOUS COMMITMENT
Religious vocation is a free gift of grace given to us by God. God takes the initiative and we respond to this grace. The only human condition is the minimum of freedom for assuming this grace and responding to it. Being mature, does not necessarily mean more grace to respond to God's call. It is also possible that some human weaknesses of a psychological nature may make us more genuinely humble and receptive to God's sanctifying action. Sacred scripture speaks about
the transformation that should follow the call, "I plead with you then, as a prisoner for the Lord, to live a life worthy of the calling you have received, with perfect humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another lovingly" (Eph 4:1). God gives us the grace of ongoing conversion, of gradual transformation, so that the values of Christ may shine forth in our lives. This transformation of the person is obviously rooted in faith and is only possible through grace, but it can be blocked by psychological obstacles and by immaturity. Thus a sound human foundation is necessary for the growth into Christ-like attitudes initiated by God's gracious calling. The fruits of the Spirit as described by Pa ฬ and as seen in lesus, resemble very much the main characteristics of a mature person.
Friberg and Laaser (1998) emphasised that all the above dimensions of mature sexuality are interrelated. We need to work towards the development of each of these dimensions simultaneously. Dysfunction in one dimension affects the healthy development of the others. Conversely, if we are healthy in one dimension, there will be a positive impact on the others as well.