What is Perfection?

Are you a perfectionist? For some people, the idea of making a mistake or falling short of reaching a goal can be crippling. Whether it is at school, work or even at home, being a perfectionist is rarely a trait that inspires others to join us. What about Church?

Timothy, my son, the saying is sure: If any one aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, an apt teacher, no drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and no lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way; for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil; moreover he must be well thought of by outsiders, or he may fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for gain; they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then if they prove themselves blameless let them serve as deacons. The women likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husband of one wife, and let them manage their children and their households well; for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1^st Timothy 3.1-13

Just let Saint Paul’s words sink in for a minute. When was the last time you encountered a bishop or deacon who ‘fulfilled’ every last criterion in today’s reading? I know I fall short daily in meeting the expectations of being a priest.

I can count on one hand the clergy that fulfill ‘with perfection’ the expectations as outlined by Saint Paul, but that does not make them bad clergy. It makes them human. That also does not mean that Saint Paul’s expectations should be ignored altogether. Expectations lead to success.

Today the Church commemorates Saint Boniface who was not known to live a very holy life. He lived sinfully with his mistress and was known as a drunkard. Nevertheless, when he was face-to-face with pagans, he confessed Christ and was martyred. He was perfected in martyrdom.

That is the term the Church uses when saints fall asleep in the Lord. They ‘are perfected’ either in martyrdom like Saint Boniface, or in peace like righteous elders in the desert. They don’t live perfect lives, but their faith in Christ is enough to complete what they lack. Christ perfects them.

This is all to say that being a perfectionist has its proper place in the Church. We may never reach perfection while we are alive, but we must always strive for perfection. Saint Boniface was also known as a kind and generous man to those in need.

He had his faults like we all do, but so did Saint Paul and all the Saints. Even those whom we would ‘say’ are perfect would not think of themselves as perfect. The greatest elders of the desert and mountains all understood their own sinfulness for what it was, a real struggle.

The trick is not to let failure cripple us. If we want to be perfected in our death, then we must strive for perfection now. It will mean constant failures, but it will also mean constant improvements. Even the ‘best’ athletes didn’t start off perfect. They struggled to improve.

Being a perfect Christian will never be about living without mistakes or sin. Christ is the only sinless one. Perfection is being willing to ‘do what it takes’ for Christ to perfect us. If it means martyrdom, like for Saint Boniface, so be it. If it means struggling until old age, then so be it.

Do you want to be perfect? Then begin by accepting that you are not perfect. Now, you have some idea of what work needs to be done. Every time you fail, and you will fail, get back up in Confession and start again. You cannot perfect yourself, but eventually Christ will perfect you.