Matthew 5:48 DRB Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect

[fhansen]

What is imperfect about being in a state of grace without venial sin and in communion with Jesus during the eucharist?

I’m not saying that a person in that state has achieved sainthood–I am saying that they are perfect for a brief amount of time until they either venially or mortally sin again.

Why isn’t that the case?

I guess what I’m asking is does one also have to be free from any attachment to sin–as one would be if they obtained a plenary indulgence to be perfect or

would one have to go beyond even that and have obtained sainthood in addition to be perfect?

Another question: the instant after one is baptized and would in fact go straight to heaven if they died at that instant–

Are they perfect for that instant?

If by sainthood we mean being continuously perfect, continuously abiding in the spirit, always one with God’s will-perfected in love- I believe that this is the prerequisite for entrance into heaven and if that condition is not fully met on this earth then it will be in purgatory.

 

[Trael]

HI, Peace be with you!!

okay. I hear your question… please let me try to answer as well…
Being perfect is very difficult for us. as our training in this life is to sin… Being Born again means becoming dead to our selves. our normal way of life… coming to know Jesus in an intimate personal way. Remember God is love… the more we deny ourselves, take up OUR cross and follow Jesus the more we will walk down the scarcely travelled path, perfection, love…
God IS love… and He loves us so much… ST Paul once wrote, be imitators of me while I imitate Christ…
IN this we can find ourselves becoming closer to perfection.
But we ARE sinners… " Anyone who says he (( or she)) is without sin is a liar and is not in the light…" so does this mean we are destined to be sent away from heaven ?? NO…
it means we need God’s help to go there… He HAS sent his son to pay the penalty for our sins… AND given us the sacrament of reconciliation for when we slip and fall. When we are not perfect and we fall, LIke a Loving Father, God is there to help us back up… hug us, pat the dust off and get us to walking by his side once again.
Being perfect means… like a child walking with Jesus, loving ones neighbor,(( The second commandment)) and Loving God the Father, Thru Jesus and the Holy Spirit one God (( The First commandment.))
He knows where we were when we were called to Christ.(( meaning our state of sinfulness)) and since our heavenly Father, with Mercy Grace and Love, knows the walk we must walk to attain this.
Remember, He gave us all His church, and the Holy Spirit to guide her… till the end of time, and the Gates of Hades will not prevail against her.
Being perfect means Loving God, loving your neighbor, being obedient to His Body, the Church, and following Him, with all our Heart, all our soul, and all our minds.

so do your best. pray unceasingly, love continually, attend Mass as much as possible, Frequently participate in the sacrament of reconciliation. Like St. Peter, whom by Keeping his eyes on Jesus, and the Lords command, walked on water, focus continually on Him. Don’t sweat the little setbacks. But strive forward so as to win the prize. Total Communion with God, Forever. and know… Jesus Himself promised us all that belive in Him, that HE would be with Us forever. Jesus does not lie.

God Bless, and Love in Christ
David Paul.

 

[Trael]

SO tell me people–after a person in a state of grace receives our Lord in the Eucharist and before he has committed any sin–either venial or mortal–at that point when he is in communion with Jesus–exactly how imperfect is he?

IN the Mass Father prays to God… " Look Not on our sins, but the Faith of Your Church."

it is My opinion that God in His Mercy. and Love for All of His Children, at that moment of Christ Crucified, Looks thru Christ’s eyes to us. We then, enjoined with Our Lord on the Cross… ARE perfect. It is from that moment on, that we choose to be obedient or disobedient children. St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians( 13th chapter) describes Love as this" Love endures all things, hopes all things. Love is not arrogant, it is not proud. It does not take into account a wrong suffered, it does not seek it’s own kind. (( paraphrased)) God is love. and He loves us… so much that while we were still yet sinners, he sent his only begotten son.

St Catalina wrote of How Jesus spoke to her in the Mass. He Showed her, the visions of the Heavens opened up. our Lord ON the Cross. The Mass perpetuates that moment thruout eternity. We ARE there at the cross With Mary, and Mary the Mother of our Lord, and the apostle whom Jesus Loved (( St John)). AT that wonderful, and yet terrifying moment… .we ARE perfect in Our Fathers eyes.What a wonderful Gift.

to Me it is like, when a father… turns his eyes to his child. whom has done something wrong, and stands before Him, sorrowful, trusting, contrite, and the father, is moved so deeply in Love for his child that he looks past the “sins” and forgives. And if we being Evil, know how to love in THAT moment, how much more does our heavenly Father love us, when we are contrite and humble!!!
What an awesome God He is!!!

David Paul

 

[KingAlfred]

“What is imperfect about being in a state of grace without venial sin and in communion with Jesus during the eucharist? I’m not saying that a person in that state has achieved sainthood–I am saying that they are perfect for a brief amount of time until they either venially or mortally sin again. Why isn’t that the case?”

Because of our fallen nature. In this life, we are never free from it, and therefore, always imperfect.

 

[Jerry-Jet]

Being inclined to sin is not imperfection–sinning is.

Jesus does not command us to do the impossible.