Perfection...Is It Possible?

    You ever hear the phrase “nobody’s perfect!” If you’re like me, you've used that phrase...a lot. But let’s seriously think about it, is it possible to become perfect? Dictionary.com states that perfect is entirely without flaws, defects, or shortcomings. I know what you’re thinking, “but Jason, Matthew 5:48 says ’So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ I can’t do that! I have flaws!” Well, Dictionary.com has a second definition as well. It states that perfect is “exactly fitting the need in a certain situation or for a certain purpose.” Changes it up, doesn't it?

    We think, “I can’t be perfect, so why even try. I’m just setting myself up for failure.” That is the devil, the father of lies, talking. Ain't no body got time for him. Have you ever helped someone in need? Could have been on a mission trip, at a soup kitchen, held the door for someone with their hands full, congratulated someone, shared a meal, gave money, spent time with someone, or did an act of charity for someone else? At those moments, you exactly fit the need in that certain situation; therefore, you were perfect.

    We have moments of perfection everyday. Unfortunately, we also have moments of sin everyday. But Christ is calling us to perfection. That could mean washing the dishes, spending time with a friend, not getting drunk, not using someone’s body for personal pleasure, letting someone else use your jacket, sharing a Cliff Bar with someone who is hungry, there are many different ways to be perfect for a moment. The way to become more perfect is to string the little bits of perfection together and decrease the number and severity of the sins. That is done through self reflection every night and confession at least once a month. God gives you opportunities to become perfect, how will you respond to them?

Going Past the Words

Did You Catch It?

    So last week’s article (Click to read first) was about trusting in God and realizing that even though Jesus was stressed and felt abandoned, he never stopped trusting in God. But in the article, did you catch the 6 Backstreet Boys song titles? What about the 4 songs by Avril lavigne? Or the one 98 Degrees song? Or perhaps the NSYNC song? Did you catch some of them?

    I’m sure you’re asking “Why would Jason do that?” First of all, the Backstreet Boys and Avril Lavigne performed a few weeks ago at DTE and I wanted to make reference to them. But another reason is to show how little we think when we read. Some facts about me are: I’m a 90s kid, love 90s music, went to the BSB’s concert June 17th, and love to give hidden references to see who catches on to them. Now that you know a little more of my background, you may have caught more of the references.

    Same thing goes for scripture. The Book of Psalms are prayers from King David. Psalm 22:1 “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” 1 Samuel 13:14 said that David is a man after God’s own heart. Even King David didn’t always feel God’s presence.

    Let’s look at John 21, when Jesus asked Peter after the resurrection, “Do you love me?” Peter responded, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus responded, “Feed my sheep.” This happened 3 times. Jesus did this to counter the three times Peter denied Jesus. In Scripture, the number 3 means completeness. Christ gave Peter the opportunity to know that he was completely forgiven. Jesus then gave him the task “feed my sheep,” reaffirming that Peter was to be the head of the Church even after the denials.
    The New Testament reveals the Old Testament. I encourage you to join a bible study to learn more about the faith. In only a few classes, my whole perception of the bible changed. 

I Want It That Way #Complicated

A Plan Larger Than Life
Everyday we do things we don’t want to do. Whether it’s school, work, driving in traffic, going to Mass, working out, etc. Sometimes these tasks become so overwhelming that we feel we’re drowning. But Jesus says in Matthew 28:20 “I’m with you always, until the end of the age.” I know what you’re thinking, “but Jesus is God, he doesn’t understand these human temptations and fears.” I promise you that Jesus understands being afraid, stressed, abandoned, and more. Don’t believe me? In Luke 22:39-46, the night before Jesus was to be crucified, he prayed, “Father, I don’t want to do this. Don’t make me do this. But if it needs to happen, I’ll do it.” You ever been so stressed or afraid that you begin to sweat? This happened to Jesus; but he was so stressed/afraid that he began to sweat blood. Even though Jesus wanted to, he did not back down; he remained true to his heart and true to his Father. And now, because of his selfless love, we have the opportunity to live forever with Christ. In Heaven we are reunited with God like a bride and groom on their wedding day. If you’re wondering how Jesus celebrates a wedding, read John 2:1-12. At the wedding feast of Cana, Jesus was the reason the celebration continued. Imagine what it’s going to be like in Heaven. There are hints throughout all of scripture that can help the shape of my heart and yours to form into an even more beautiful mold than we could ever imagine. Whether you are a guy, girl, rich, poor, a skater boy, a runaway, a bully, been bullied, feeling alone, facing addiction, killed somebody, afraid, or something else, God is calling us to quit playing games and to follow him, the one true God. The only question is, will you answer?