The meaning of Perfection

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season  :First Week: Saturday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:43-48*

*First Reading : Dt 26:16-19*

*The meaning of Perfection*

*1) The question of Perfection*

The concept of perfection is found in today's Gospel 

*Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.*

God is perfect. But are we able to become perfect like God? 

What is the concept of perfection for our context? 

Few things are highlighted in today's Gospel as regards to the concept of perfection

*2) Loving ones enemy is a means of Perfection*

Loving ones enemy means going beyond our normal inclination 

Jesus is the one who loved and forgave His enemies from the Cross

The moment we forgive and love our enemies we pass into the realm of perfection

*3) No Partiality is a means of perfection*

The Gospel gives a beautiful example. Sun rises and gives its light to all, good as well as bad. Sun does not make any partiality 

Like wise when we rise above the concept of partiality we pass into the realm of perfection

*4) Hate no one is a means of perfection*

We may be having hundreds of reasons to hate some one 

Jesus hated no one. When we conquer this weakness of ours we enter into the realm of perfection 

*5) Praying for the persecutors*

Very difficult to practice this. As human beings we find difficult to pray for those who persecute us 

Jesus prayed for His persecutes. 

We we pray for those who persecute us, we rise to the realm of perfection

*6) Greet all, is a means to perfection*

Greet everyone. Those who greet you, those who don't greet you, those who are indifferent, those who persecute us, those who gossip, those who humiliate, those who take revenge and others as well 

By greeting all, we get into the realm of perfection 

*Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*