Jesus’ Call to Perfection

Text:Matthew 5:38-48

Reflection and Question: Jesus places us before a high standard indeed: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” It can’t be done. And the examples given bear this out. How difficult it is for us to turn the other cheek and to go the second mile! And how many times have we all passed the homeless beggar on the street, avoiding eye contact? To achieve perfection we need to treat all we meet as our beloved neighbors, regardless of our opinion of them. If such perfection is beyond us, how do we seek it?

Prayer: Precious Jesus, we confess that You ask too much of us here. We fail to be perfect as God, whom you call Father, is perfect. We do try. And we know You are cheering us on, speaking to the Almighty on our behalf. And we will keep trying. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).