Meet Imperfection with Perfection

Often, I don't sleep very well. I have a tendency to wake up at 3am in the morning. Once in a while I feel very desperate and I beg the Good Lord to be merciful and just let me sleep. Most mornings, however, I strike up a conversation with our Most Blessed Mother. It's a very one way conversation. I do all of the talking. I sometimes drift back to sleep by imagining that I am lying at her feet with my face on the cool, loose folds of her dress.

This morning was different. I didn't just wake up with the strong urge to pray. I had a particular idea bouncing around in my head that could have only come from the Holy Spirit. Round and round rang the phrase, "Meet imperfection with perfection." What a wonderful idea. How much imperfection is there in this world! We encounter it all day, everyday. Interactions with our children, spouse, parents, people on the street constantly challenge us to respond with perfect charity and patience. How many times have I met irritability with irritability? Or anger with anger? Or hurt with spite? This message means that I will have to work so much harder when I encounter these occasions. I will have to demonstrate as much humility and understanding as a person can humanly muster. This will be a very difficult task for me. I am impatient and hard-headed, but I'm always up for a challenge.

I thought of how many times Jesus calls us to meet imperfection with perfection. The Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-10) were the first to come to mind.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

In Luke 6:27-36, Jesus reminds us to pray for our enemies and for those who curse us and mistreat us. He calls us to be generous in giving away everything we have for the benefit of others. He tells us to offer our other cheek when the first is struck. In Romans 12:9-21, we are told to be sincere, fervent in spirit, hopeful, hospitable, forgiving, empathetic, generous and loving. "Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good."

Easier said than done, right?! Right. But we have to try. Mt 5:48 says, "So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." It all makes sense, it's just very difficult. We're told that humans can never be perfect. Some use this as an excuse to fall heavily into sin instead of trying to stay on the path of righteousness, but in an earnest attempt at perfection, we inch all the closer to the most precious and attainable place of true happiness, HEAVEN. Let's be very clear. An attempt at perfection doesn't mean that we're the best at what we do. It doesn't mean that we're the smartest, prettiest, richest, most proficient, etc. It means that we truly intend to carry out God's will in our lives regardless of what we encounter along the way.

So! Get out there and meet imperfection with perfection. Do your best and be sure to let me know when I'm off track in my attempts at the above mentioned phrase. I'm sure it won't take much for me to become side-tracked and we certainly need to help each other along the way.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, make my heart more like Thine. Grant me the compassion and understanding necessary to respond to everyone I meet as You desire. Soften my hardened heart so I can attain eternal happiness with You in Your heavenly kingdom. Please let me be a reflection of You, especially to my husband and children, so they may be happy in heaven with You as well.