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Explanation for:
Matthew
5
:
48
Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.
14
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He frequently references heaven throughout His teachings to encourage His disciples by presenting the reality of that place, recognizing their current vulnerability and immaturity. Therefore, after considering all that has been discussed, let us express love to our adversaries. Let us discard the foolish practice that many unwise individuals fall prey to, wherein they wait for others to initiate a greeting, thus neglecting the pursuit of true happiness and instead chasing after trivialities. Why not offer the first greeting yourself? You might respond that the other person anticipates it. Yet this is precisely why you ought to be the one to proceed, securing the reward for yourself. If your reasoning is that you refrain from greeting him because of his eager expectation, understand how irrational such a mindset is. By thinking that he wishes to give you a reason for merit, you choose not to take advantage of it. Even if you respond to his greeting, it brings you no benefit, but if you greet him first, you will gain a significant advantage and gather immense fruit from his pride. Are we not profoundly foolish when we let slip an opportunity to gain great benefit with just a few words and fall into the same folly that we criticize in others? If you rebuke him for awaiting a greeting, why copy that which you detest and attempt to validate what you condemn? Is it not madness for one to dwell in wrongdoing? Hence, I urge you to shun this silly and contemptible habit. This ill has shattered countless friendships and incited much discord. So let us use our greetings as a way to encourage others. If we are called to endure mistreatment even from our enemies, to the point of being wronged and left exposed, can we claim to deserve forgiveness for persistently refusing a simple greeting? You may protest that by offering such a courtesy, you would be treated with disdain. But why would you insult God just to avoid being despised by an equal—a mere mortal? If it is unreasonable for one at your level to look down on you, how much more unreasonable is it to disregard God, the Creator who has graced you so profoundly? Furthermore, do note that when someone disrespects you, it presents an opportunity for an even greater reward because your endurance, offered unto God while obeying His commands, will yield immeasurable honor and glory. I would willingly endure all forms of insult and scorn for God's sake rather than receive praise from all the kings of the earth, for nothing can compare to this glory. Let us strive for this glory, as the Saviour instructed, dismissing the judgments of men, and embodying true wisdom in all things as we align our lives accordingly. In doing so, we will experience the foretastes of heavenly blessings and the glory of Paradise, treating humanity as angels and living on earth as heavenly beings, liberated from earthly desires and passions. In this way, we shall inherit unspeakable blessings, which may all be granted to us through the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, authority, and worship alongside the Father, who is eternal, and the Holy and Blessed Spirit, now and forever, unto ages of ages. Amen. \\n\\n*****\\n\\nWe shall strive to be like the saints or, even better, to become children of God. To be made His children, consider the words, \\"Be ye perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect\\" (Matt. 5:48). In our prayers, we address God as Father, reminding ourselves of both grace and virtue, prompting us not to act unworthily of such a divine relationship. You may wonder how one can become a child of God. Strive to be free from all passions and show gentleness towards those who offend you.\\n\\n*****\\n\\nYou will embody the likeness of your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:44, 48). But love your enemy; in this act, you do not benefit him, but instead yourself. How does this work? By doing so, you reflect the nature of God. If He loves you, His gain is slight, for He is loved by a servant of His kind. But if you extend love to a servant like yourself, your gain is profound, for you become akin to God."},{"author-name":"Hilarius of Poitiers","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88cb92f12b3278598f946_Hilarius%20of%20Poitiers.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Lord demonstrated that everything reaches its fulfillment through compassion. The commandments instructed us to love our neighbor, yet permitted animosity towards our adversaries. In contrast, faith compels us to extend love even to those who oppose us, and by embodying love for everyone, it diminishes the arrogant ambitions of the human spirit. This faith not only prevents vengeful anger but transforms it into love for the wrongdoer, as it is merely worldly to care for those who reciprocate our affection and to support those who support us. Therefore, faith invites us to become heirs of God and to emulate Christ, who, through his presence and in the sacraments of baptism and the Spirit, blesses both the righteous and the unrighteous with rain and sunshine. In this way, Christ has prepared us for a life of perfection through this universal kindness, as we are called to reflect the nature of our perfect Father in heaven."},{"author-name":"Gregory of Nyssa","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88c197597540c9caa3754_Gregory%20of%20Nyssa.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Imagine an individual who claims to be talented at painting; a ruler instructs him to create a portrait of the king for those living far away. If he merely produces a grotesque and distorted likeness and asserts that it is the king, will he not incite rightful wrath? An inadequate representation can lead to a false perception of the true king in the eyes of those unfamiliar with him. Just as a picture reflects the subject, so too will the imitation of God—Christianity—reflect in the lives of those who strive to emulate Him. If someone demonstrates virtuous qualities, he is likely to portray the Deity we worship positively. Conversely, if an individual indulges in vices, reflecting the traits of wild beasts in his behavior, while still identifying as a Christian, he offers grounds for non-believers to speak ill of the God we revere. It is with just cause that Scripture warns of the coming storm for such individuals. To those with ears to hear, it seems the Lord instructs: 'Be ye... as your heavenly Father is perfect.' He designates the Father of the faithful as our true Parent, desiring those born of Him to mirror the goodness evident in Him.\\n\\nWhat can be observed during a horse race by the spectators? They support the rider, even if he lacks some speed, as their concern for his triumph leads them to cheer loudly, urging him to go faster while actively gesturing and waving their hands. Though they do not contribute to the victory, these gestures express their care for the competitors. In a similar way, dear friends, I find myself cheering for you, as you advance effortlessly in the divine pursuit of virtue, striving for 'the honour of the highest rank' (Philippians 3:14). My encouragement is not driven by irrational fervor, but arises from love, as I seek to inspire you. Since your recent message requested guidance on perfect living, I consider it fitting to respond. While some of my words may not find utility, my commitment to obedience stands as an example for you. If we, entrusted as spiritual fathers to many souls, recognize the value of pure youthfulness, it is all the more fitting for you to embrace obedience as you are nurtured under our guidance. With this established, let us turn to the main inquiry at hand, invoking God as our source of wisdom. You have sought a definition of a perfect life, no doubt intending to identify and embody these traits in your own existence. However, I must confess my limitations in attaining perfection in thought and expression. It is not only I who struggle with this understanding; many esteemed individuals in virtue acknowledge the challenge of grasping such an ideal. Yet, to avoid manifesting unfounded fears, I will elucidate my thoughts more clearly. \\n\\nPerfection in worldly matters, understood through the senses, is restricted to defined boundaries, such as quantities or measures. Each measure inherently has an end. Consequently, when assessing goodness in virtue, the Apostolic perspective reveals that its perfect limit is uniquely without boundaries. For even the divine Apostle, strong in spirit, never slowed in his virtuous journey, always 'stretching forward' (Philippians 3:13), for stagnation is perilous. Why is this? Because every good, by its inherent nature, lacks limits, conditioned only by its opposition—life is defined against death, light against darkness. Each virtue is marked by the absence of its opposite. Thus, while our words assert the impossibility of achieving perfection in virtue, they remind us that true virtue is an ongoing pursuit. Should those striving for virtue fail to attain it, this observation remains revealing. \\n\\nThus, the ultimate good, characterized by perfect nature, is none other than God Himself, whose essence embodies absolute goodness. The truth emerges: there is no other standard for virtue beyond vice, and God does not permit contradiction. Therefore, the divine nature is infinite and boundless. As those who walk the path of true virtue partake of God’s perfection, their longing for this communion grows infinitely. Hence, the pursuit of perfection remains boundless, for true perfection itself is without limits—virtue itself, in essence, only seeks infinity. Engaging with the perfect is not about reaching a finite goal, as the desired objective remains eternally beyond complete attainment. Yet, despite the Lord’s command to 'Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,' the aspiration to grasp even a fragment of that perfection is a noble endeavor. Thus, we should strive diligently, seeking to acquire portions of that perfection as time permits, for this desire to continually seek greater goodness reflects the innate excellence of human nature. Reflecting on Isaiah’s words, God urges us to 'Look at Abraham your father, and at Sarah who bore you' (Isaiah 51:2)."},{"author-name":"Caesarius of Nazianzus","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a176e0f4c3aeca7aee3_Caesarius%20of%20Nazianzus.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In our journey of faith, let us not become complacent, but strive diligently according to our abilities, for the Gospel teaches that we should “...be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” We cannot equate ourselves with the divine nature, which surpasses all understanding and is truly incomparable. However, we can strive to emulate His humanity, kindness, and unbounded goodness, extending compassion to our neighbors. This includes even our adversaries and those who may betray us, for God graciously supports everyone and generously provides for our needs with abundant gifts. God seeks no honor from humanity that could possibly merit His greatness. Therefore, let us endeavor, as much as we are able, to do good, embracing the frequent challenges we encounter along the way. While we may never achieve perfect goodness, striving for even a portion of it yields significant rewards. We cannot consume every drop from a spring or reservoir, yet does that prevent us from quenching our thirst with the water we can drink? Similarly, while we may not inhale every breath of air, we can still breathe. Even if we cannot grasp every concept, we can still engage in meaningful dialogue. Our efforts can reflect that despite facing great challenges, we remain steadfast in our pursuit of perfection, striving diligently as long as we have the strength—indeed, even beyond it. This pursuit is commendable because it aligns with the noble endeavor of doing good and the constant aspiration towards righteousness. Above all, we must cling to the truth, which triumphs over injustice. The mind of God is beyond comprehension and intertwines beautifully with our efforts. It is unfathomable for any person to fully grasp this life due to either a greater good or a harsher consequence; hence we respond with love to those who share our humanity, so that together we may face either honor or suffering."},{"author-name":"Macarius the Egyptian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c894b8dd64f2df5bcb2030_Macarius%20the%20Egyptian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"\\"‘Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ These words emphasize the total cleansing from sin, the complete liberation from dishonorable passions, and the full embrace of the highest virtue—namely, the purification and sanctification of the heart through union with the holy Spirit of God. This occurs with unwavering assurance, as the soul, full of faith and love, wholly offers itself to God. The Spirit reveals this absolute truth through David, guiding us to seek it from God and to believe that those who yearn for it are called sons of Light and heirs to Life. For the Spirit, through David, declares, ‘Let my heart be pure in Thy justifications, lest I be ashamed’ (Psalm 118:80).\\n\\n‘Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect,’ He teaches us that we are to become vessels of perfect purity. This purity, possessed by the soul created in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26), is currently being formed within the faithful soul by the Holy Spirit's work, in accordance with the words, ‘Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me’ (Ps. 50:12). The Lord, demonstrating the restoration for those who aspire towards the heights of the Christian life and interceding for them, said: ‘Father, sanctify them in Thy name’ (Jn. 17:11, 17); He also expressed, ‘I desire that where I am, they also may be with Me, that they may see My glory’ (John 17:24). The Apostle further affirms, ‘That every man may be presented perfect in Christ’ (Col. 1:28), and, ‘until we all come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, into a perfect man, into the measure of the full stature of Christ’ (Eph. 4:13). This is why those striving in every possible way, continually competing in the arena of virtue, and rigorously engaging in good works, do not perceive themselves as having achieved anything significant, since they have not yet reached the glorious ideal. Rather, these revered and tested ascetics humbly consider themselves untested, lowly, and abandoned by God, all while knowing the vast calling towards spiritual richness. Thus, filled with humility, they avoid all malice, pride, lethargy, and idleness; with great diligence, steadfastness in their trials, and fervent desire, they pursue righteousness, even if they have yet to attain perfection due to the immeasurable spiritual wealth available to them. \\n\\nAn analogy may illustrate this: a certain master instructed his laborers to harvest three plectrums of land daily. One laborer, committed to this task, dedicated himself fully to its fulfillment, exerting all his strength and diligently tending to these three plectrums. The other, believing he could not accomplish what was expected of him, fell into complacency, sometimes gathering a little, while often yielding to inactivity and rest, unwilling to apply the same effort as the first laborer. Even though he truly could not complete the daunting task assigned to him, he failed to set the same ambitious goal that drove the first laborer. Consequently, he lacked the commitment and diligence to do as much as he could of what he was commanded, which demanded tireless effort, zeal, and care, while he allowed himself to remain stagnant. Similarly, those who fix their gaze on the perfect aim of the heavenly calling, believe in the divinely inspired Scriptures, and strive to do good as much as possible are better in every way—in conduct, faith, and actions—than those who do not believe in the possibility of a heavenly calling, who doubt achieving this ideal of perfect vocation, liberation, and purity of heart, and therefore do not commit fully to it, remaining content with their own desires and limited achievements.\\""},{"author-name":"Chromatius of Aquileia","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a3df6d7a747a33b4f4a_Chromatius%20of%20Aquileia.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The Lord teaches that we cannot claim to embody perfect love if we limit our affection to those who reciprocate it, as this kind of love is typical of both non-believers and transgressors. Thus, the Lord calls us to rise above mere human affection and embrace the principle of evangelical love. This encourages us to extend love not only to those who care for us but also to our adversaries and those who wish us harm. In doing so, we reflect true piety and emulate the goodness of the Father."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"To have affection for certain individuals, particularly friends, while harboring animosity towards others reflects a lack of maturity; true perfection is found in loving everyone."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Those who care for those who care for them demonstrate an imperfect love; however, those who extend their love even to their adversaries embody a true and complete love."},{"author-name":"Nicodemos the Haghiorite","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c895e07643831764b98b9d_Nicodemos%20the%20Haghiorite.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":18,"exegesis-text":"The highest and most admirable aspiration a person can have is to draw nearer to God and to maintain a deep communion with Him."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Strive for perfection. The term perfection refers to the complete and harmonious cultivation of all moral attributes and virtues, encompassing the ideas of righteousness and sanctity (Matt. 19:21; Rom. 12:2; Col. 1:28; James 3:2). Consider how perfect your Father in heaven is. Divine holiness is beyond our reach, so this call does not imply attaining equality, but rather developing an inner resemblance. The essential focus is on recognizing the need for moral growth through grace, which connects humanity with God."},{"author-name":"Kochomski S.W.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In the book of Hebrews, it is noted that one should exhibit mercy just as the Father demonstrates mercy (Luke 6:36). In these instances, the term 'like' conveys a sense of resemblance rather than equality, as there can be no true equality between the infinite Good and a finite being. Instead, it reflects a progressive resemblance and alignment of the immortal human soul with its Original Image, a process that is meant to endure for an everlasting eternity."},{"author-name":"Ivanov A.V.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88db13197efab881aa332_Ivanov%20A.V..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"A divine quality, love encompasses all, particularly the love for adversaries. Recognizing this profound truth guides one towards ultimate fulfillment and brings humanity closer to the nature of God. Consequently, this love is extended to everyone, for all are children of the Heavenly Father. While achieving this divine likeness, seen as the ultimate perfection, may be impossible in this earthly existence, it remains an aspiration that we should ardently pursue throughout eternity."},{"author-name":"Ignatij (Briantchaninow)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ce37597540c9caa5df5_Ignatij%20(Briantchaninow).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Divine truth was revealed to humanity through Divine compassion, urging us to emulate God by embodying perfect mercy (Matt. 5:48), rather than through any other quality. Mercy refrains from passing judgment, extends love even to adversaries, sacrifices for friends, and transforms humanity to reflect the divine nature.\\n\\nThe mind of a person should align with the mind of God (1 Cor. 2:16), his words ought to echo the Word of God (2 Cor. 13:3), his spirit must be unified with the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 6:17), and his attributes should mirror those of God (Matt. 5:48)."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord calls us to be perfect, holy, just, and loving, just as our heavenly Father is perfect. Although this may seem beyond human reach, within each person lies the image of God, which must be nurtured and purified, with the aid of divine grace, as we draw closer to Him and aspire to resemble Him. St. Philaret, the Metropolitan of Moscow, wisely observes that while one cannot bring forth the sun anew for the world, one can illuminate the mind of an unbeliever with the light of saving truth and ignite a spark of goodness in a harsh heart. In this way, we embody the likeness of God, shining not just upon the visible world but also illuminating souls with spiritual radiance. While we may not have the ability to cause rain to descend from the heavens, we can certainly wash the parched heart of an innocent sufferer or comfort the remorseful sinner with tears of compassionate love. Thus, we reflect God's own nature, who sends rain upon both the righteous and the wicked. Blessed Augustine reminds us to never grow complacent; we must strive continuously, for halting our efforts leads to spiritual loss. What profound and divine instruction this is! It addresses the deepest inquiries of the human soul. Indeed, it is not mere humanity that speaks here, but God Himself—the very Heart of all."}]}
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