Homily: February 28-2026, Saturday of the First week in Lent (Perfection)

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 “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

At first, those words sound overwhelming. No option. No compromise. Just: Be perfect.

Jesus sets the highest standard possible—not human perfection, but divine perfection. And immediately we might think: How is that possible?

And how do we move toward that perfection?

The Church gives us a beautiful path: the three theological virtues, faith, hope, and love.

First, faith.

Faith means trusting. Trusting God, Trusting in God’s promises. Jesus tells us that faith even the size of a mustard seed is enough. God does not demand enormous faith, He asks for sincere faith.

Second, hope.

Hope keeps us steady when life becomes difficult. When problems feel like mountains in front of us. When suffering enters our family. When prayers seem unanswered.

Hope whispers to us: You have a perfect heavenly Father.

He is faithful. Hold on.

Christian hope does not deny pain—it carries us through it. It reminds us that God can turn everything toward good. That our story is not finished yet.

Third, love.

This is the hardest, and the highest virtue.

Jesus tells us not just to love those who love us, but to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. That is not natural love—that is supernatural love.

Can we reach this perfection?

Yes. Thousands of saints have done it. The martyrs, especially, lived it. They forgave even while suffering. They loved even when hated. They trusted even when afraid.

Perfection is not achieved in one day. It is grown, step by step, through faith, hope, and love.

And here is something beautiful:

The closer we grow toward perfection, the more joyful we become. Because holiness is not misery—it is freedom. It is becoming what we were created to be.

Grow in faith. Stand firm in hope.

Love beyond comfort.

Amen.


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