162. Q. What is a perfection?

 

Understanding Perfection: Embracing Our Journey Toward Holiness

Perfection can often feel like an intimidating concept. We hear the word and immediately think of something flawless, unattainable, or even beyond our reach. But when it comes to our faith, perfection takes on a much more meaningful and inspiring significance. The Baltimore Catechism offers a beautiful way to understand this concept in a way that is both approachable and encouraging for our everyday lives.

The Catechism asks the question:

"What is a perfection?"

And the answer it gives is:

"A perfection is any good quality a thing should have. A thing is perfect when it has all the good qualities it should have."

Let’s explore this simple yet profound definition and see how it relates to our lives, our faith, and our personal growth.

1. What Does It Mean to Be "Perfect"?

Perfection, in the context of our faith, is not about being without any faults or never making mistakes. Instead, it is about having the good qualities that something or someone should have. It’s not about reaching an impossible standard but rather about becoming the person God has created us to be.

Think of it like a flower. A flower is perfect when it grows to its full potential, blooms beautifully, and thrives in its environment. It doesn’t need to be flawless or the best flower in the garden; it just needs to be what it was meant to be. Similarly, when we grow into the people God has called us to be, developing the good qualities we are meant to have, we are moving toward our own kind of perfection.

2. Perfection as Growth in Goodness

When the Catechism speaks of perfection as having all the good qualities we should have, it points to a life that is constantly growing in goodness. These good qualities include virtues like:

• Kindness: Treating others with love and respect.
• Patience: Enduring difficulties with a calm and hopeful heart.
• Humility: Recognizing that all our talents and gifts come from God.
• Charity: Loving God above all things and loving our neighbor as ourselves.

Each of these qualities makes us more perfect, not in the sense of being faultless, but in the sense of becoming the best version of ourselves— the people God wants us to be.

We can think of perfection as a journey rather than a destination. Every time we make an effort to grow in virtue, to act with love, or to be faithful to God’s commandments, we are taking steps on the path toward becoming the perfect person God created us to be.

3. Perfection in God's Eyes

It’s important to remember that God sees perfection differently than we might. While we might be tempted to measure perfection by how well we meet certain standards, God looks at our hearts. He sees our efforts, our struggles, and our desire to grow in love and goodness. He doesn’t demand that we be flawless, but He does invite us to strive for holiness by growing in our love for Him and for others.

In Matthew 5:48, Jesus tells us, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." This doesn’t mean we need to achieve a kind of earthly perfection. Instead, it calls us to reflect the goodness of God in our own lives, by becoming more loving, more patient, and more compassionate each day.

4. Perfection Is a Process

We often think of perfection as something we either have or don’t have, but in truth, it is a process of growth. God doesn’t expect us to be perfect overnight. He knows that becoming the person we are meant to be takes time, effort, and His grace.

Every act of kindness, every moment of patience, every decision to put others before ourselves brings us closer to the perfection God desires for us. The good news is that we don’t have to do this alone. God gives us the grace and strength to grow in virtue, and He is with us every step of the way.

5. Embracing Our Own Journey to Perfection

This teaching from the Baltimore Catechism invites us to see perfection not as an impossible goal but as a journey of becoming better each day. It reminds us that perfection isn’t about never making mistakes or being the best at everything we do. Instead, it’s about growing in the good qualities we should have—qualities like love, patience, humility, and faith.

We are called to embrace our journey toward holiness, trusting that God is guiding us. Every small effort to live a good and holy life is a step toward perfection in God’s eyes.

Conclusion: Striving for a Good and Holy Life

In the end, perfection is not about being faultless; it’s about striving to be the person God created us to be. As the Baltimore Catechism teaches, a thing is perfect when it has all the good qualities it should have. In our own lives, this means growing in virtues like kindness, patience, and love, becoming more like Christ each day.

So, let’s embrace this beautiful journey toward perfection. Let’s seek to grow in goodness, knowing that with God’s help, we are becoming the best version of ourselves. We are called to reflect God’s love and goodness in the world, and with His grace, we can walk the path to holiness, one step at a time.

Remember, perfection isn’t a far-off, impossible goal. It’s a journey of becoming the person God has created us to be, and each small act of love and kindness brings us closer to that goal. Let us be inspired and encouraged, knowing that God is with us every step of the way!