PERFECTION AND HOLINESS

 PERFECTION AND HOLINESS

Being perfect is today's invitation. While the gospel asks us for perfection like that of the Father, the book of Leviticus asks us for "holiness". Both attributes are from God, they are divine attributes. And by asking us to be like the Father is to give a way in our lives to the life of God and in God.

How to achieve becoming like the Father? The first thing we can do is look and listen carefully to Jesus because whoever looks and listens to the Son looks and listens to the Father; for the Son and the Father are one. Let us remember what Jesus will say to Philip: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.” (John 14: 9-10)

The second thing that we must keep in mind is to treat others as God treats us, with love. That is the reason why the gospel asks us to be merciful instead of vengeful, to be generous instead of selfish, to love even the enemy, and to do the greatest possible good for everyone.

Surely, if we follow the life example of Jesus and give way to his words to guide us in our lives, the holiness and perfection that God asks of us will be something that God himself will offer us. Let us work with humility to achieve this goal that is proposed to us today. Amen.

Fr. Carlos Flores, OSA