Spiritual maturity is very rarely achieved in this life.  But like plants that are raised under glass and then moved outside to grow to maturity, so those who have been growing in penitence and in love for God in this world will continue that growth hereafter, until at last they are ready to “see the King in his beauty” (Isaiah 33:17).

But only those who by their penitence and love have become capable of ripening to spiritual maturity and perfection, only they will have the opportunity to do so; and it is salutary to reflect that the season of growth which we are enjoying now, becomes ever shorter as each day closes.

References

1. St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) Confessions, Book I, Chapter I. (Words quoted above are slightly amended).  Available from:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf101.vi.I_1.I.html (Accessed 05 October 2011) (Internet).

2. St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) Confessions, Book I, Chapter I. (Words quoted above are slightly amended).  Available from:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/augustine/confess.xi.xxvii.html (Accessed 05 October 2011) (Internet).