Daily Catholic Lectio. Sat, 28 February ‘26. Being Perfect

Daily Catholic Lectio

Sat, 28 February ‘26

First Week of Lent, Saturday

Deuteronomy 26:16–19. Matthew 5:43–48

Being Perfect

Each day we desire to grow. We want to be a little better than yesterday — in faith, in love, in patience, in generosity. “Perfection” often sounds frightening, as if it demands something impossible. Yet today’s Gospel invites us not to fear the word, but to understand it.

At the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” The standard could not be higher. The measure is God Himself.

But notice something important: the path to this perfection is not complicated. It is simple. It is the willingness to walk an extra mile. To do something extra. To love a little more than what is expected.

Perfection in the Gospel does not mean flawlessness. It means fullness. It means completeness in love.

Jesus takes the old commandment — “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy” — and stretches it further. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” That is the extra mile. Anyone can love a friend. Anyone can greet those who greet them. There is nothing extraordinary in that. Even those who do not know God can do that.

But to love an enemy — that is divine. To pray for the one who hurts you — that is walking the extra mile.

Jesus tells us that when we do this, we become children of the heavenly Father. Why? Because God Himself loves in this way. The sun does not shine only on the good. The rain does not fall only on the righteous. God’s love is not selective. It is generous. It is universal. It does not adjust according to people’s behaviour.

If God acts like this, and we are His children, then our love too must grow beyond limits.

In the first reading from the Book of Book of Deuteronomy, Moses reminds the people of Israel of their promise. They had declared that the Lord would be their God, and that they would walk in His ways. Moses now urges them to live what they have spoken.

Words must become action. Promises must become practice.

It is easy to say, “I will follow the Lord.” It is easy to say, “I will love.” But those words take flesh only when we act beyond convenience — when we walk that extra mile.

Very often we say, “This is all I can do.” The Gospel gently asks, “Can you do just a little more?” One more act of patience. One more effort at reconciliation. One more prayer for someone difficult. One more gesture of kindness.

Perfection is often hidden in that “little more.”

As we grow older, something interesting happens. Our circles become smaller. Our patience grows. Anger slowly gives way to compassion. We are less interested in winning arguments and more interested in peace. When we see children, we smile naturally. When we see the elderly, our hands extend in help. When an ambulance passes, we whisper a prayer without thinking.

These are signs of a heart moving toward fullness — toward perfection. Not dramatic achievements, but quiet transformations.

Perfection is not achieved in one heroic act. It is formed in daily decisions. It is built when we overcome our likes and dislikes. When we stop measuring love by what others deserve. When we love because we are children of a loving Father.

Jesus does not lower the goal to match our actions. Instead, He raises the goal so that our actions may rise.

“Be perfect.” Not because we are strong, but because God is merciful. Not because we never fail, but because we choose to love again.

Today’s readings ask us: what is the extra mile in my life? Where can I love beyond calculation? Where can I pray instead of complain? Where can I give instead of withdraw?

If we walk a little further with Christ — especially during this Lenten journey — we will also share in His resurrection. That resurrection is the fullness, the perfection, for which our hearts long.

Perfection is simply love brought to completion.

Let us not be afraid of the word. Let us begin with one small “extra” today. And in that step, we move closer to the heart of the Father.

Fr Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy