Perfection

Perfect.  Complete.  Saint Matthew relates the story of deeply sincere young man who understands the importance of being straightforward with Jesus.  He does not seem to be pretentious.  He is not obtuse.  He is ready to hear what responsibility he might bear.

"What good thing shall I do?" the young man asks.  Jesus has an answer:

"If thou wilt be perfect..." (Matthew 19:21)

We should rejoice that Jesus does not directly rebuke the young man in his desire to somehow earn "eternal life" but presents him with what may be a happy puzzle.  The young man in fact has the capacity to do as Jesus instructs - sell what he has and give to the poor.  But the young man is saddened.  He sees the problem.  One has the feeling that soon he will also see the solution.


Saint Matthew from Wikimedia Commons.