God is love, and we are made in his image. Therefore, the perfection of the human person means becoming perfect in love. Lest we rationalize a way to lower the bar for ourselves, Jesus made this standard clear, saying, “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” The word perfect doesn’t refer to the absurd perfectionistic standards driven by our hyper-competitive culture.
During Holy Week, we draw near to Christ, remembering his final battle with sin and Satan on our behalf. No one had the power to crucify him against his will. Therefore, as St. Augustine concluded, “It was of compassion, then, that he suffered.”
Time alone with our Lord is essential to intimacy with him.
In addition to daily connection, periodic spiritual retreats can deepen one’s relationship with him tremendously. Most parishes offer Advent and Lenten mini retreats that can be perfect opportunities to step away from our busy lives and draw inward.
Time alone together