Tuesday, August 26, 2008 (No. 33)
The Bond of Perfection
You must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.
(Matthew 5:48)
Have you noticed that certain words in Scripture can have a certain meaning or connotation that interferes with the real message? For instance, look at the word perfect in the above quote. Perfect like God? What does that mean? How can we be perfect like God?
Another example from last Monday’s daily reading of Matthew 19:16-22: The rich, young man asked Jesus what good could he do to gain eternal life. Jesus answered by listing several of the Ten Commandments and part of the greatest commandment, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said that he was already following those, and then hinted at wanting more. Where upon Jesus replied, “If you wish to be perfect…”
There is that word again. What does Jesus mean by perfect? Does it mean to try to follow the commandments perfectly, as in, flawlessly? I do not think so.
The answer, just as the question, comes from Scripture:
… put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. (Colossians 3:14)
To be perfect is to love, to be in union with God and with others.
Jesus ate with sinners. He was, and still is, not looking for perfect and flawless people. Perfect and flawless people do not need God. Jesus wants people willing to love, willing to put on “the bond of perfection.”
A Christian should always remember that the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, but on the love of God which prompts him to do these things. (St. John of the Cross)
Keep hope alive. Reflect love, and dare to be “perfect”.
Our Lady of Mercy, pray for us…
