Have you heard anyone say, “I am not God; I cannot be perfect, only God is perfect?” Each time I hear it from a friend, I remind them of Jesus teaching in Matthew 5: 48 “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” By calling us to perfection, Christ calls us to Love. What then is Love? The answer is found in 1st Corinthians 13:4-13.
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”
By calling us to perfection, is Jesus Christ asking for too much? At Mass today, being Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent, forty days fasting for Christians), Catholics across the world are reminded that “you are dust and to dust you will return”. It doesn’t matter how much cash reserve you have in your bank account or assets you can boast of – they will pass away. The only thing that will not end is the love you give and show. How much love do you have in your reserve, what is your Love net worth?
Never forget that you are a gift to our world. How much of your gift are you blessing the world with? Don’t spend your life time doing nothing about your talents and gifts; let them embolden you to act, to love, to give and grow.
In the Pursuit of your dreams, let love be your guide. I will close my message with Jesus teaching as captured in Matthew 5-43-48
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Happy Valentine’s Day!