Some translations render Matthew 5:48 as "be perfect" as your heavenly Father is perfect. The 1970 New American Bible translation says "be made perfect." This is an important distinction. Following Jesus is not a "do it yourself" endeavor. We cannot be perfect, no matter how hard we try. Following Jesus is truly a "Let it be done to me according to Your will" endeavor (see Lk 1:38).
It is the Father Who is engaged in the work of perfecting us. Our role is to fully cooperate with His work in us. If we try by our own efforts to be perfect, we sentence ourselves to a lifetime of repeated frustration. Rather than focusing on, "How am I doing?", we instead ask, "Father, what do You want of me? Thy will be done" (see Mt 6:10).
The "better way" is to place ourselves at Jesus' feet and listen to His words (see Lk 10:39, 42). Devour God's Word (Jer 15:16), so as to know "what kind of conduct befits a member of God's household" (1 Tm 3:15). Learn the Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 133) and ignorance of the way God wants to make us perfect. Thus you will know the Lord and know His plan for the behavior, mindset, and lifestyle God has chosen to make you perfect.
| PRAYER: | Father, change anything in me that keeps me away from You. Do in me whatever You must in order to do through me whatever You will. |
| PROMISE: | "You are well acquainted with the favor shown you by our Lord Jesus Christ; how for your sake He made Himself poor though He was rich, so that you might become rich by His poverty." –2 Cor 8:9 |
| PRAISE: | Charles and Susan's children continue to defend life and chastity as they go off to college. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College