Author Topic: A man asked Jesus, "How can I become perfect?" (Read 652 times)

Lorenzo · « **on:** July 16, 2011, 02:18:21 AM »

Jesus answered him, " If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'"

-Matthew 19:21

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chicogon · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2011, 02:51:06 AM »

That is, if you want to be perfect. If not, just be the best you can be and be faithful to the Gospel

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2011, 03:09:59 AM »

Truly, Fr. Roel.

One thing that I really find quite interesting is that there is a clear and delineating difference in how the World defines "perfect" and how God (Jesus Christ) defines "perfect/ perfection".

We live in a world that places importance on performance. Right? From elementary school, to high school, to college, to medical school, and to graduate school, I was always taken how my teachers, instructors, professors, medical preceptor, medical directors always encouraged us to perform "perfectly". They view perfection as "100%". Top knotch score.

I would always remember my Professor of Medical Microbiology saying to my class, "Anyone who manages to get a Perfect score in my class will receive my respect!" What he referred to as a 'perfect' score was a 100%. And to be honest with you , managing to get a 90 on any of his exams was truly a feat for any student. (His exams were incredibly hard, and incredibly long, I will admit this-- I never got an A on his exams, but only B's). There was a student , a good friend of mine, who did manage to get a 94% on her final examination. It was truly a feat. However he said to her, "Close but no cigar! Still not perfect!"

Or how about when we think of our financial scores, financial ratios, etc. A score of 100% (700+) is akin to 'perfection'. It is rather amazing that how the world views 'perfect' is almost contrary to what Jesus views in perfection.

In this world we are encouraged by society and the forces in society to achieve economic feats, to gain educational knowledge etc. The more money you make, the better. The higher your status in society, the better.

But Jesus Christ is contrary to this.

The Jewish man asked Jesus Christ, "Lord, how can I reach perfection? What must I do to become perfect?"

Jesus answers him, " If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Giving all one's possessions that one worked hard for in the world, and to reject a life that one worked hard to reach in the world --and follow JESUS.

For me, I see that perfection in how the world views the word is different to how Jesus views it.

TRUE PERFECTION is to be free from worldly slavery to money, idols, social events, etc. And to become a follower of Jesus Christ.

So, I guess the saying is true: "Perfection in Simplicity. Perfection in being Poor Financially , but Rich in the Christian Faith"

Blessings and Peace to All!
Lorenzo

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2011, 03:22:02 AM »

Imagine if we see Jesus Christ on the streets. Per se we see the Lord in the street. And say to Him, "Lord, Lord, pasayloa ako sa ahong mga sala, what can I do for you to forgive me?"

Ug mo ingon ang Ginoong Hesus Kristo nato, "Pag ampo, anak. Ug follow nako. Reject all that you have in this world and follow me lang. Ibuhi ang imong tanan nga possessions sa kalibotan og follow-ha ko. Ug pa tinuod jud ka, anak, maka adto jyud ka sa Langit"

Friends, what would you do? How would you react? Would you reject the Lord's answer as did the Jewish man who asked Him how to attain perfection......

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chicogon · « **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2011, 03:22:09 AM »

The Gospel reading today has Jesus saying, "Go learn the meaning of the words 'It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice.'" For quite sometime I racked my brain on the meaning of those words "mercy" "sacrifice" etc. But then it dawned on me, maybe, just maybe, Jesus was talking about something else when He said "Go learn the meaning of the WORD" (not mercy nor sacrifice) but the meaning of the WORD as in Word made Flesh or Word who is Life... as in the ways of the WORD that dwelt among us, who says He has come not to condemn the world but to save it or that it may have life to the full... as in the ways of the Word (re: ways of love, compassion, service, etc). Or perhas, the way of the cross. Hmmm... this I wonder.

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chicogon · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2011, 03:27:44 AM »

Imagine if we see Jesus Christ on the streets. Per se we see the Lord in the street. And say to Him, "Lord, Lord, pasayloa ako sa ahong mga sala, what can I do for you to forgive me?"

Ug mo ingon ang Ginoong Hesus Kristo nato, "Pag ampo, anak. Ug follow nako. Reject all that you have in this world and follow me lang. Ibuhi ang imong tanan nga possessions sa kalibotan og follow-ha ko. Ug pa tinuod jud ka, anak, maka adto jyud ka sa Langit"

Friends, what would you do? How would you react? Would you reject the Lord's answer as did the Jewish man who asked Him how to attain perfection......

Ikaw unsa man imo itubag? I'm sure (pretty much) dili jud moingon ang Ginoo, "Lorenzo, ingna si Bugsay o Hubag nga e denounce ila bahandi to gain perfection." But rather, "Lorenz, how 'bout renoucning all you have and then follow me? Sugot ka?"

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #6 on:** July 16, 2011, 03:27:58 AM »

Contemplation , indeed, Fr. Roel. Now you have me thinking about it. One thing is sure...one has to discern fully when assessing such things. As you said to me before, "go in a quiet room, and ask the Holy Spirit the meaning and answers to his questions."

One thing that I have been thinking about lately was the Crucifix. The contiguous nature of death , suffering, to life. Our Lord, the Creator of All Things, endured the cruelest way to die, cruel abuse, cruel words, condemnation (by his own chosen people, ISRAEL), so that we might Live.

God came down from Heaven, became man, suffered death, to satiate the Law and to free us from the power of Sin and Death. So that we might Live....

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2011, 03:30:16 AM »

Ikaw unsa man imo itubag? I'm sure (pretty much) dili jud moingon ang Ginoo, "Lorenzo, ingna si Bugsay o Hubag nga e denounce ila bahandi to gain perfection." But rather, "Lorenz, how 'bout renoucning all you have and then follow me? Sugot ka?"

I would renounce all the little accomplishments for sure. If I was standing in front of Jesus Christ, to see His face with my own eyes...to hear His voice with my own ears. It would be akin to the beautific vision. Mo ingon ko , "Oo Ginoo, gusto ko mo uban nimo..."

Eternal Life in Heaven is greater than this mortal life in earth, which is perishable.

Life in Heaven is imperishable. Mortal life is perishable.

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #8 on:** July 16, 2011, 03:34:25 AM »

We are alive in earth for what? 60-70-80 years? Then what? Dust to dust, ashes to ashes. Ang lawas mo balik sa soil. Pero atong spirit...mo balik sa Ginoo.

Emperors, Kings, Presidents, all men with majesty all will die. They share the same fate as all of us commoners. Kita tanan are subject to the Law of Mortality.

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Lorenzo · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2011, 10:00:40 AM »

The Gospel reading today has Jesus saying, "Go learn the meaning of the words 'It is mercy I desire, not sacrifice.'" For quite sometime I racked my brain on the meaning of those words "mercy" "sacrifice" etc. But then it dawned on me, maybe, just maybe, Jesus was talking about something else when He said "Go learn the meaning of the WORD" (not mercy nor sacrifice) but the meaning of the WORD as in Word made Flesh or Word who is Life... as in the ways of the WORD that dwelt among us, who says He has come not to condemn the world but to save it or that it may have life to the full... as in the ways of the Word (re: ways of love, compassion, service, etc). Or perhas, the way of the cross. Hmmm... this I wonder.

Fr. Roel,

I took some time to reflect on your message this weekend during my 'weekend off'. This week, I managed to visit the campus of DePaul University , which is named after St. Vincent De Paul , the compassionate Catholic Saint.

As I visited the campus and learned more about the life of St. Vincent De Paul, I remembered the words you used in reference to 'learning the word, per se living the word'. St. Vincent de Paul was actually , interestingly enough, the confessor of the Gondi Family, which was an illustrious family in France. However, instead of staying most of the time in the family household , he actually persuaded the members of the Gondi Family to help the poor peasants and the destitute via food, charity, and the building of homes for those who could not afford.

De Paul could not change the society, the laws that governed the world that he lived in, however, through the Word of God, was able to help the lives of the people in that era through faithful works. He reminded the rich to give back to the poor and to truly be 'Christ-like' in that aspect.

I was able to connect the life of Vincent De Paul to your post here. Thank You.

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MikeLigalig.com

Author Topic: A man asked Jesus, "How can I become perfect?" (Read 652 times)

Lorenzo

A man asked Jesus, "How can I become perfect?"

chicogon

Re: A man asked Jesus, "How can I become perfect?"

Lorenzo

Re: A man asked Jesus, "How can I become perfect?"

Lorenzo

Re: A man asked Jesus, "How can I become perfect?"

chicogon

Re: A man asked Jesus, "How can I become perfect?"

chicogon

Re: A man asked Jesus, "How can I become perfect?"

Lorenzo

Re: A man asked Jesus, "How can I become perfect?"

Lorenzo

Re: A man asked Jesus, "How can I become perfect?"

Lorenzo

Re: A man asked Jesus, "How can I become perfect?"

Lorenzo

Re: A man asked Jesus, "How can I become perfect?"