It is 27th February 2021.
The readings are from Deuteronomy 26:16-19; and the Gospel from Matthew 5:43-48.
“Perfectionism is not a behaviour. It’s a way of thinking about yourself.” Says Andrew Hill. Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo adds that he strives for excellence, not perfection: ‘I am not a perfectionist, but I like to feel that things are done well’.
To be perfect, one needs to keep the Commandments. God is not inviting us to be harsh, and to give up easily rather to make us to aim high and not settled with our mediocracy. We are peppering our life with unwanted expectations and that make us give up on ourselves and others. The recent studies point out us that there is a correlation between perfectionism and performance anxiety even in children as young as 10. Everyone of us wants to be the best possible in our life. When we strive to be perfect, we can deal with our fear, frustration, and failures. Being contented is opposed to have a feeling of having done better not willing to relish the successive successful moments. To be perfect means to take risk and aspiring to be great. Self-criticism destroys our self-compassion leading us to be depressed always. To be perfect is to renew and re-energize ourselves constantly with the path God proposes.
The responsorial Psalm praises, “Happy are those who follow the law of the Lord.” (Ps.119:1)
Doing penance, fasting, increase of our prayers can shape our destiny in our spiritual life.
The Gospel teaches us to be like the Father in Heaven in loving. Without love, we cannot go on in relating with the others. In order to be perfect, we need to go beyond what is expected and required but we need to strive towards what is respected and esteemed in front of God and one another. It is possible to love our enemies when we do not see them as opponents but our counterparts who challenge us uncharitably. It is not possible to be a friend to those who only wish evil against us. Hating them is not the answer. Our perfection depends on love for the others. “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” We need to emulate the Father in Heaven as God loves everyone equally. May the Lord help us to perfect our love with those who hate us. Have a lovely day. God bless you.