.
.
You must therefore be perfect
just as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Mt 5
You will have heard of theme parties with the invitation to turn up dressed as a saint or a sinner. I’ve never been to one of these events but if I had I would probably have struggled not only with my costume choice but also with the theology behind the invitation itself.
There is no person who is a saint and not a sinner, and there is no sinner who does not show at least seeds and shoots of sanctity.
So if a saint is not the opposite of a sinner, and being a sinner is not the opposite of being a saint, then what are the human extremes?
I’m familiar with the writings of a few holy people including a number named as saints of the Church. and the consistent theme in their writing is that they consider themselves to be among the worst of sinners.
We, the Church community, call them saints yet they call themselves sinners.
Perhaps saints are those who are willing to live in the light, and the brighter the light the more dirt and dust is visible?
Perhaps the reality is that all saints are sinners and many sinners are saints?
Perhaps the truth is that a saint is simply a sinner who knows their dependance on God.
Perhaps our problem is that we misunderstand what Jesus is calling us to when he says “be perfect”. As we mature in faith we appreciate that a saint is a flawed (limited, weak, often undisciplined and unruly) human who knows their need for salvation, and who turns to Jesus the Saviour full of need and openness.
The evidence for what I am saying is found in the Gospels.
Think of the first disciples of Jesus. What a bunch. They were hapless and hopeless by all accounts, unreliable, slow, unbelieving and weak, even to denying Jesus, betraying Jesus, falling asleep when He most needed their support and abandoning Him as His crucifixion approached fearing that if they didn’t run and hide they would suffer the same fate.
But after the Resurrection Jesus found them and reappointed them.
They were sinners AND they were saints. So what would they wear to the party – a combination of halos and horns headdresses?
Now that has to be the ultimate in cross-dressing!
+++
Upcoming Cafe Gatherings:
Send a name, date, place and time and I’ll share your invitation. Just initiate a gathering, send me the info, and turn up to meet with anyone else who wants to take an hour to chat about their experience of God.
Thursday 5 March 2026 10.30am
The Cafe at Harrison’s Pekapeka Rd Waikanae
Catherine
I have come to think all the focus on ourselves as sinners is false piety. I am human God made me one he doesn’t make mistakes. My mistake would be believing I can be perfect. To be a saint and I understand this is what we are all called to is to be the best human I can be, but that will never be perfect and to think it could be is not to rely on the God who gave me life. Into God’s hands I commit my humanness.
Fr John, I loved every word you wrote today. Thank you.
We are sinners called to be saints and continue on our pilgrimage to strive for perfection. What a wonderful daily focus. Helps us to remain focused on becoming what we are called to be in our Humanity.