“So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Some say that a better translation would be, “Be perfected,” because it more perfectly explains where and how this perfecting and perfection comes about.
They would say it is grace that allows and helps and actually begins and continues the process of perfecting — and in this case, making us like God.
So Paul writes of the transformative growth and generosity of the giving and sharing and supporting that the churches of Macedonia were taking part in, in the “wealth of generosity on their part, beyond their means, spontaneously, as they begged insistently for the favor of taking part in the service to the holy ones.”
They actually became poor through their generosity not unlike the Christ “who emptied himself and became poor so that by his poverty we might become rich.”
There is such an abundance of grace so visible and obvious, and recklessly outpoured upon and into these disciples, as described by Paul.
And Jesus shows us the way — love like God our Father loves.
Love not just those who love us or are kind to us or are our neighbors and those with whom we are comfortable.
No! Love like God! Love our enemies, and pray for our persecutors, and bless those who hate us! God gives sunlight and rain to both the good and the bad alike.
God loves everyone, everywhere, always — equally, without limits, without distinction, without conditions, with a generosity unequaled.
And not because of their love, but because of his love.
And should we see that love and hear that love, and feel that love and desire that love, and grow in that love.
Maybe, just maybe, God’s grace will actually begin the process of perfecting that love within us — and maybe, just maybe, making us a little bit more perfect like our God!
Father Perry D. Leiker is the 13th pastor of St. Bernard Catholic Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142. Email Father Perry at pleiker@stbernard-church.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
