Striving to Be Perfect as the Heavenly Father Is Perfect: Reflections on Christian Maturity in Decision-Making, Forgiving, and Reconciliation: Using ... theology and health-care ethics--an alcoholic

The Greek term that Matthew uses to quote Jesus's call for us to be perfect is the same word used by St. Paul and St. Peter in their letters which we translate as mature. St. Paul tells us we are called to the "complete measure of the stature" that belongs to Christ: spiritual, emotional, moral, and intellectual maturity. How do we get there? Our Lord also teaches we are to be forgiving "seventy times seven times." Does anyone find that easy? We are also called to examine our own consciences to discover if we need to "leave our gifts at the altar" and go and make amends. Now there is a challenge. In this book, Fr. Tuohey uses Scripture, the writing of the early church fathers, his professional experience, the Twelve Steps of AA, and his personal struggles with Jesus's call to perfection to share the insights he has gained. They are shared here in the hopes it might be helpful to others as well.