Reflection – Dr Nathan Leber

The Secret of Perfection.

Sometimes, what Jesus asks us to do feels way too much for us mere mortals. Similarly, our First Reading from Leviticus has God telling Moses, “be Holy for I am Holy”, a sentiment implied in Saint Paul’s letter in the Second Reading and explicitly stated in the first letter of Saint Peter.

There is one major problem though. We don’t believe we are worthy of holiness or even that perfection is achievable. But just for a moment, I want you to let your reach exceed your grasp! Perfection does exists…and it is in being the person God created you to be. The prophet Jeremiah was told very plainly by God, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you”, and the same is true for us. When we strive to be the best version of ourselves, the one which God created us to be, we are perfect in His sight and, at the same time, are Holy.

There is an internal freedom that comes from knowing God just wants you to be you, and in this you can find a sense of satisfaction and completion. As the saying goes, “Find your Holiness in your wholeness”. For many of us this will involve a journey of healing – a spiritual and internal movement from the heart – a belief that we can move from a self-limitation to an acceptance of the simple fact that we are all children of God – and that God loves us, completely and unconditionally. We are, as St Paul puts it, “the temple of God” and the Spirit of God is living amongst us. So, when we act out in retaliation to the actions of others against us, do we honour that temple or that Spirit? “Love one another as I have loved you” – and just think how Jesus loved…he loved us all the way onto the cross! Love is the fundamental rule, the covenantal promise and the path to our salvation. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you – “forgive them Father for they know not what they do”.

When we accept as children of God even those who do harm, and with that the inherit dignity that comes with being created in the likeness and image of God, then we begin to honour that Spirit that dwells in us. That is when we open our hearts to the possibility of change through the loving salvation. For when we show love to those we see as undeserving, we love like Jesus and allow the Spirit to do the rest. Resentment, anger, frustration and bitterness will not get you anywhere. They will certainly not open your heart to the possibility of salvation – and the sad thing is, the person you harbour these feelings about probably doesn’t even know or care – because the situation has become about you.

A non-violent or non-reactionary approach as Jesus advocates for, on the other hand, reveals the injustice of the perpetrator to all, including them. This opens up the opportunity to realisation, understanding and change. We must be the slave to all, and share concern for all of God’s creation, even when we get nothing but hurt in return. Then we love like Jesus, then we find our wholeness, there we find our holiness and then we will be perfect just like our Heavenly Father is perfect.

Dr Nathan Leber