If someone is a perfectionist, it suggests that they are a taskmaster and demand everything to be precisely right, down to the last detail. However, when Jesus says, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” he does not ask for detailed perfectionism. In Luke’s gospel, the companion passage is almost identical to today’s passage from Matthew, except that instead of perfect, Luke has “merciful”: “Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful.” Therefore, Luke has interpreted what Jesus meant by “being perfect.”
Being perfect means to love others unconditionally. It involves loving others in the same way God loves us. This is the central message of Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount - to love one another with a selfless love that seeks nothing in return.
Jesus urges us to love in the same way that God loves, which indicates that this command is not impossible to fulfill. Though we may not be capable of loving in this divine manner independently, we can accomplish it with the help of God. As Jesus later tells his disciples in Matthew's gospel, "For God, all things are possible."
Homily for Monday of the 6th Week of Easter
Homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter
Homily for Saturday of the 5th Week of Easter
Homily for the Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles
Homily for the Memorial of Saint Athanasius
Homily for Wednesday of the 5th Week of Easter
Homily for Tuesday of the 5th Week of Easter
Homily for the Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena
Homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter
Homily for Saturday of the 4th Week of Easter
Homily for Friday of the 4th Week of Easter
Homily for the Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist
Homily for Wednesday of the 4th Week of Easter
Homily for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter
Homily for Monday of the 4th Week of Easter
Homily for the 4th Sunday of Easter
Homily for Saturday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Homily for Friday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Homily for Thursday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Homily for Wednesday of the 3rd Week of Easter
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Kingdom Power Fellowship Podcast
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)