On Christian Perfection, Part 2

Part 1 is here.

Now that we see clearly what perfection is we naturally ask, where shall we find a pattern, a model of this Christian perfection which we may follow; which is the way that leads to it! The way to perfection lies in the imitation of Jesus Christ. The life of Jesus Christ must be our model and pattern; it is by contemplating and imitating it that we shall attain perfection.

Artists of all kinds, painters, sculptors, poets, if they want to excel in their art, give themselves up to the careful study of the work of the old masters, and try to form their style on this model. In Jesus Christ we have the highest, most sublime, and complete type of Christian perfection, the perfect pattern for every age, station, and condition of life.

As a child He was perfect, growing in grace and wisdom before God and man; although more holy, more powerful, more wise than Mary and Joseph, he was subject to them in the lowliness and poverty of the little house at Nazareth. As a youth He was modest and obedient, offering a perfect example to those about to undertake any new enterprise. Consider how He prayed and prepared Himself in the desert for His public life; what strength He displayed in rejecting the suggestions of the evil spirit; and what burning zeal He showed all through His public life to accomplish the mission given Him by His Father. "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me. (John 4:34)"

How great was His reverence for the Father, His patience with the apostles and disciples, His condescension to the multitude, His compassion for the sick and poor, His love for sinners, His humility in the working of His daily miracles! It is in times of trial and suffering above all that we expect the perfection of a Christian to stand fast and endure, and so it is in His sufferings and death that the sublime example of Jesus Christ shines out most conspicuously.

We find Him enduring His passion with infinite fortitude and in complete resignation to the will of God; and, full of love for His enemies, offering Himself on the cross in a spirit of complete self-sacrifice for the sins of the world. His every thought, word, and deed, His life, sufferings, and death, are alike stamped with the impress of infinite perfection; and the saints who strove to lead perfect lives here below have all taken Him as their type and model.

Our Saviour Himself calls upon us to imitate Him, saying: "Learn of Me, for I am meek and humble of heart," (cf Matt 11:29) and especially in His sufferings He wishes to give us an example: "If any man will be My disciple, let him take up his cross and follow Me." ( cf Matt 16:24).
St. Peter tells us the same thing: "Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow His steps." (1Pet 2:21)

If we want to know what particular points and virtues in Our Lord's life to keep specially before our eyes in order to imitate them ourselves in our own lives, we should do well to study the eight beatitudes given by our Saviour at the beginning of His public ministry in the Sermon on the Mount.

They are:
(1) "Blessed are the poor in spirit"-those who are humble;
(2) "Blessed are the meek"-the patient and gentle;
(3) "Blessed are they that mourn"-those who repent and do penance;
(4) "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice' '-who strain earnestly after perfection;
(5) "Blessed are the merciful"-who practice brotherly love;
(6) "Blessed are the clean of heart"-the chaste;
(7) "Blessed are the peace-makers"-those who love peace;
(8) "Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake"-who show fortitude under suffering and injury.

Our Saviour in very clear language promised the reward of eternal life to all who practice these virtues; they will inherit the kingdom of heaven, the land of promise; they will enjoy the consolation of eternal life, the bliss of everlasting happiness, the vision of God, their Father, for all eternity. The eight beatitudes give us a complete plan or program, so to speak, for a perfect Christian life, and a glance at the life of our divine Saviour, one look at His cross, will convince us that He Himself practiced in the most complete manner all that He requires of us.

Adapted from:
Popular Sermons on the Catechism, Bamberg & Thurston, 1914