November 29, 2018

CHRIST the PERFECTIONIST: “Assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Mt 5:18). F.B. Cowl tells the story of a friend of Michaelangelo’s seeing him at work on one of his statues. Some time later he saw him again, and, seeing so little done, asked, “Have you been idle since I saw you last?” “No,” replied the sculptor. “I have retouched this part and polished that; I have softened this feature and brought out that muscle; and I have given more expression to the lips.” “Well,” said the friend, “all these are trifles.” “It may be so,” replied the artist; “but remember that trifles make perfection, and that perfection is no trifle.” Where would we be if Christ had ignored one detail of the Law? Or if He had overlooked one sin which you had committed? What if His work now for you had left you short one grace, or if His work in you stopped before you were conformed to His beauty? He does all things well!