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How is our Heavenly Father Perfect?
One might say that God is Perfect because He is God. That is true. But God is
Perfect not only because He is God. We could also say God is Perfect because He puts
His Whole Will into His Thoughts, His Words and His Actions. God gives His All in
everything. That is awesome! When God loves, God loves with all His Heart, with all His
Soul, and with all His Strength! He loves with His Whole Being. Nothing is lacking in His
love. His love has no flaws, no defects, and is so deep that His love, is the highest type. This is so true that Saint John says, “God is Love.” When God gives us His Mercy, He
does not give us part of His Mercy, but ALL of it. He forgives us, not partially, but fully. We receive His whole forgiveness. His Mercy is Perfect.
When God is generous and giving, He is not partly generous, but says, “See if I will not open the gates of heaven and
bring blessed rain to you up to the last drop.” (Malachi 3,10) When God gives, He gives
with full hands in abundance. He is All-Giving and All-Holy. He is not only holy, but three
times Holy. He is Perfect in Knowledge, knowing all things. From Him we may be able to
acquire true knowledge and all the knowledge we need, as James suggests to us saying, “If
any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask…” not man, nor your brother, nor your neighbor nor
some famous person, but, “God who gives to all easily and unconditionally.” (James 1:5) God is our model.
And who reveals God’s perfection and makes us perfect?
All we have to do is look at Jesus, who is so perfectly humble, He dare not say,
because of His great humility, “Be ye perfect as the Son of Man is Perfect,” but said, “Be
ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is Perfect,” but we all know that “he who has seen the
Son has seen the Father.” (John 14:9) The Father reveals Himself through His Son. Both
these persons, who with the Holy Spirit form One God (though three persons), are equally
perfect in Wisdom, Power and Goodness. God is Perfect. We are not. And we are not,
because we try to be like men, and not like God.
To be perfect as our Heavenly Father is Perfect, we need to have Jesus Christ, the
image of God the Father, as our model of imitation. We need to imitate His life to the best
of our ability. The fullest efforts should not be lacking. Our determination in doing what is
morally good should be flawless. Our interest in copying the Life of Christ should be our
highest goal. Our concern should be living a life of faith, hope, love, humility, patience,
perseverance and obedience. Our intentions should be pure, and all for the glory of God
and for the salvation of our souls. Our eyes must behold the example of our Mother, Mary
Most Holy, whose life proves to us that humans can reach perfection. Her guidance will not fail us, for she is like a spiritual mirror that shows us the face of Christ. Our mind, our heart and our soul should be completely, in every detail, centered on Christ Jesus. These things
will lead us to perfection. Prayer will give us this grace. The Holy Sacraments will maintain, augment and perfect this grace. Reading the Word of God will give you the instruction and discernment of what is of perfection and what is of imperfection in your life and the life
around you. Sacrifice and penance will remove all imperfections, while works of charity will manifest your perfection, in Christ, to God and to the world. “With God, nothing is
impossible.” (Luke 1:37) Jesus said, “Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is Perfect.” What He has stated is possible for those who are willing. Be willing, and through the grace
of God, with humility, you will be perfect, and may it be all for the Glory of His Holy Name
and the salvation of the world. – Alvin Peña
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