What does it mean to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect?
We imitate God when we give. God gives us existence so that we might return the gift, to each other and to God. Yet isn’t it odd, really, to think of giving ourselves to God? What would the all holy, the all-sufficient, want of our prayers, our small acts of asceticism and devotion?
What happens when we worship? When we consciously come into God’s presence? What happens when we fast, get down on our knees, or seek out the Blessed Sacrament?
Remember the raised arms of a toddler? That’s what happens. If we give the signal—our readiness, our openness—God lifts us up. We’re supposed to walk on our own; that is God’s great gift to us. But we are never supposed to walk alone. That’s something that we choose for ourselves when we forget, when we fail to raise up our arms.
Acts of prayer and asceticism are such small things in themselves, yet through them we signal our openness, our need for the Father of Jesus. Like the toddlers we are, we raise our arms. And that’s all we need to do. God’s arms will be there.
--Fr. Terrance Klein
Image source: https://www.parentlane.com/baby/baby-development/your-baby-indicates-the-need-to-be-picked-up-by-you
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