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- 11 May, 2011 -
- As A Catholic -
- Tags : attitude, calcutta, faith, life, perfect, reflection, teresa
- 0 Comments
To be perfect is probably what most of us want to achieve; whether it is related to job, appearance, love or many other things.
I am not a perfectionist. However, I always try to do my best although I sometimes get disappointed if the result is worse than expected.
Sometimes it is frustrating when I tried to do everything right and still something misses out.
Sometime ago, I came across this saying by Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta that we are called not to be perfect but to be faithful. So, as long as we are faithful then we do not have to think about how to be perfect.
Sounds sweet and easy.
However, after thinking about it again and again (and again) I discovered something different with its meaning. I do not feel that it is an easy thing to do. It is even harder than just being perfect.
I remembered when Jesus preached “..be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48)
Hang on. If being faithful is enough then why does Jesus want us to be perfect, even to be as perfect as God is?
The difference is in the word itself.
In my opinion, Mother Teresa did not persuade us not to be perfect. Instead, she encourages us to strive for it, but with a different approach.
I think that the word “perfect” Mother Teresa meant is when we try to achieve that perfection by using our own strength. She saw that no matter how hard we try we will not be near enough to perfection.
It only forces us to struggle and to torture our self.
We will end up in disappointment even if we think that what we have done is already perfect. It just leads us to depression.
Mother Teresa invites us to co-operate with God. It is not merely relying on Him; it is inviting Him to participate in our doings, to guide us and support us through his Holy Spirit.
She taught us to be faithful, as God will help us and will always be with us no matter what we face.
It is our faith to the source of Life that brings us to life itself.
© Christian Rosario
