How can we be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect?
Old Law:
Walk in his ways and keep his statutes.
Love our Neighbor
Insufficient
Gospel Reading:
Love our enemies as well.
Imitation of God in a way that is not natural to us.
However, while the Old Law transformed from without, the New Law transforms from within.
Ezekiel 36:25–26 RSV2CE
I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
We are made perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect, because he has given us his Spirit.
Implications for our journeys in the desert (and Lent)
Strengthen the Law of Christ, the Spirit in your hearts.
