God's word today, "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt 5:48) used to perplex me until I learned reading it in its immediate context (love your enemies, Mt 5:43-47). I realize now that it means: Love the unlovable, love those who don't love me, etc. Of course, it remains just as much a challenge now as it was before. But at least, I don't interpret it anymore in the narrow view of human perfection but in the light of human interaction.
Luke's version is also very helpful: "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" (Lk 6:36). Being "perfect" is activating the "mercy" "tenderness" "love" that is already implanted in me.
