Perfection

"If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor."

Matthew 19:21

Compared to the riches of the young man in today's Gospel, my net worth is probably just a drop in the bucket. Compared to this young man's privileged lifestyle, mine is as simple as simple can get. 

So, is it correct to say that I will succeed in what the rich young man failed to do? Wrong. Like the rich young man, I feel sad because I am not able to do what Jesus requires of His disciples - complete and total obedience to His will. That is, after all, the true meaning of perfection. 

Mor than earthly possession, what Jesus is actually asking when He tells us to "sell what you have" is to let go of everyone and everything that we treasure above Him and that hinders us from following Him. I must admit that even though the creature comforts I enjoy are modest and affordable, still I tend to be possessive of these indulgences. 

That is why I find it hard to let go. But let go I must if I desire to follow Jesus and to give my all to serve Him and others, perfectly. 

By: Dina Pecana, Philippines (dpecana@yahoo.com)

REFLECTION: Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add but when there is nothing left to take away. (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)