Being Perfect
Gate Pa – Year A 7th
Sunday of Ordinary Time,
Readings:
Psalm
Psalm: 119: 33-40
First
Reading: Lev
19:1-2, 9-18
Second
Reading: 1
Cor 3:10-11, 16-23
Gospel:
Matt
5:38-48
What I want to say:
I
want to explore vs 48 “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – what does
it mean to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect? This is not about
being flawless but about living the Sermon on the Mount
What I want to
happen:
This provides our agenda for Lent
The Sermon
1. Introduction:
Hands up if you would describe yourself as perfect?
Hands up if you aspire to be perfect?
If you don’t – what do you do with the last verse
we just heard in gospel
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly
Father is perfect.”
Talk neighbour for moment
How
is God perfect?
How are you perfect?
What questions do you have about this reading?
(plenary)
What questions do you have about this reading?2. Being perfect
Ask - When you hear word perfect what comes to
mind?
I think often see it meaning
“conforming absolutely to the description or definition
of an ideal type:
entirely without any
flaws, defects, or shortcomings: ”
That is one meaning
-
But not only one
In English it can also mean “to bring to completion;
finish.”
Origins in latin mean - Latin perfectus, past participle
of perficere to finish, bring to completion
Eg – perfect tense in English grammar – not mean
there are no mistakes
Past
completed – I have washed the car
I have finished preaching the sermon
In Greek – word we translate into “perfect” -
telos
Not mean entirely without
any flaws, defects, or shortcomings
More commonly means
Complete, mature, grown up, ripe.
So Jesus is not saying be flawless
But be complete, mature, ripe.
3. So what does God’s perfection look like?
Ask for answers from discussion
Suggest that God’s perfection, completeness,
is found in what Jesus has been saying up to this point and for the rest of the
Sermon on the Mount.
That this is the point of what Jesus is
talking about
We began radical Beatitudes
Radical because they redefine which people
have greatest honour in their society
Which ones being blessed by God
“Honoured, revered, blessed are the poor in
spirit
those who mourn,
the meek,
those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
the pure in heart,
the peacemakers,
those who are persecuted for righteousness’
sake,
you when people revile you and persecute you
why are they honoured, revered, blessed?
They are perfect
mature,
complete, grown up, ripe
we become salt that fires up fires of God’s
justice
and God revealing light
4. Last week and this week
Jesus gone on talk about attitude to Law of
Moses and traditions built up around that
Saying - When we see law set commands to be
obeyed
è When we do we are perfect (without flaw)
è then we are in trouble
but if willing to get behind commands to
intent and attitudes
then on road to perfection
for example – not enough to not murder
have
to not angry, contemptuous, hateful
today
goes further – not enough not to hate your enemies
you are to love them
as your father in heaven loves all
people
takes us back to be Beatitudes
5. Conclusion
Rob Bell and Don Golden talking about
describe
key characteristics of God (God’s perfection)
as compassion,
mercy, justice and love
suggest
God wants people who will enflesh compassion, mercy, justice and love
when we do this
we are perfect
Near Lent
Invite you to spend this Lent reflecting on
how you are perfect
What might need to embrace your perfection
With
all your faults.
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly
Father is perfect”
Message offers this paraphrase
Jesus said – “In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow
up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity.
Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.
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