Reflections | PERFECTION

Not just keeping one from their authentic self, watch as Msgr. Don explains how God does not choose his love for you based on any action or material wealth.

Good morning. Perfection. There's a story in Scripture that I love. It's a story about a rich man who came to Jesus and said, “Look, I have done so well. I have so many riches. The reason I have those is because God, the father, has promised for those who keep the law, they will be blessed abundantly. And I have kept the law perfectly. I am a perfect follower of the law, Jesus.” That's what the rich man said. And I love his request: “Is there anything you can give me? Any advice so I can be more perfect?” Almost like perfection is never complete. Jesus' answer is phenomenal. It's wonderful. He points out a flaw in perfection and that is you wear it not as something you've achieved, but as something that gives you value that you possess this virtue in a way that then you present yourself as that.

None of us were ever intended to be perfect. We were intended to be authentic, real, who we are. If we're growing and changing, how can you be perfect? If you're perfect at one point in your life, there's no reason to go on to do anything, to achieve anything more. So look at what Jesus says to this man, because first of all, I love that Jesus is filled with love for him, which means, when people strive to be perfect in order to please God or in order to present themselves to the world is something more than they really are. He understands that. And even compared to somebody who goes around destroying people or harming people. It's much better. But he's saying to this man, “Let go of this possession that you have this image, this thing that you are. Perfection is you. And you wear it as if it's the way you want to present yourself to the world.”

You know, when people we have that with things that we have, you know, you have a beautiful car and you drive that car and you are somehow presenting yourself to the world as someone who has that car, who has money, who has a status in the community. And that becomes who you are. That's a form of perfection.

It's not who we are. So when Jesus says to the young man, “Sell everything you have and give it away.” The rich man had many possessions and he went away sad. He wasn't sad because he had to give away his possessions. He was sad because Jesus didn't recognize what he wanted the world to recognize: that my actions make me who I am, my possessions make me who I am.

When you think about it, Jesus, who is God, looks at a human being. And is he impressed with what they've achieved? Does he love them more? No, because he loves them so completely for who they are. And the idea that they have more or have less doesn't change the way God loves them. I think the rich man in that story wanted to present himself to Jesus as somebody better than the rest of the world. God is not basing his love for you on your performance or your possessions.

It's God looking at someone he created and in all of its imperfection and all of its need for growth and change there's love there. That's the thing that frees us from this addiction that we have to present ourselves to more than who we are. Be who you are. It's what God loves. And to be honest, when you are who you are, you will be loved much more than if you're more than the person you're talking to.

Have a good day.

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Kyle CrossComment