Various ways to become perfect like Heavenly Father

Gospel Thoughts

*Lenten Season : C Cycle : First Week: Saturday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 5:43-48*

*FIRST READING - Dt 26:16-19*

*Various ways to become perfect  like Heavenly Father* 

*1) We need the attitude like the Sun*

The Gospel mentions about the Sun 

Sun has no partiality. It gives its light to all, to the good as well as to the bad 

Sun never fails to shine. In the seasons it shines. 

Sun always gives light and makes others happy. No one one becomes sad, because of the light 

Every day when Sun comes up, it gives us a new hope, new vigour and new vision 

Sun is the symbol of energy. It always gives energy and fills everything in energy 

Sun is also a symbol of life. It gives life to the plants as well to the animals and human beings 

So when we adopt the strategy of the Sun, one can achieve the perfection of the Heavenly Father

*2) Have a attitude that of Rain*

Once again rain does not have any partiality. It falls on the good as well as on the bad 

Rain is also the Symbol of life. Without water, nothing can survive 

Rain always produces something. Water has the capacity to produce, fruits or other things 

Rain becomes one with the nature. It does not stay aloof. 

So it is very important that we adopt the strategy of the rain in order to become perfect like the Heavenly Father 

*3) Cultivate the attitude of Loving everyone*

It is very easy to love those who love us. But it is very difficult to love those who don't love us and much more difficult to love those who hate us and persecute us 

So we need to follow the commandment of Jesus about loving ones enemies 

The moment we fail to love those who hate us, we fail to become like the Sun and the Rain. 

Unless we adopt the strategy of the Sun and Rain, we can't think of becoming perfect like the Heavenly Father 

*4) Remember that I have been chosen peculiarly as His own*

This particular thought is very well reflected in the First reading of the day 

The moment we remember that we have been particularly and peculiarly chosen by God, will help us to adopt the methodology of Sun and Rain 

*5) Lent is a time to become perfect like the Heavenly Father*

Lent is a special time, given by God to become like perfect like the Heavenly Father 

It is a best time to adopt the methodology of the Sun and Rain and to grow in the way of perfection

Therefore the Lenten season gives us three important ways to adopt the strategy of the Sun and the Rain. They are *Fasting, prayer and Almsgiving*

Fasting from all bad habits, Prayer to encounter God and the almsgiving to experience the love of the Neighbor. 

Am I ready to follow the path of perfection to become perfect like the Heavenly Father??

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*