High fidelity

Audiophiles and avid photographers all seek perfection in music or photography. They spend tens of thousands of dollars on equipment that will reproduce sound or image that is as close to the real thing as possible.

This predilection for seeking perfection is completely human. Made in the image and likeness of God, we ourselves are closest to perfection when we strive to be like Jesus and when we are completely guided by the Holy Spirit.

However, when we get distracted by "noise" like fortune, fame, power and other worldly values, or when we have a distorted view of the world around us, we are unable to transcend our own fears, needs and values and we are hampered in our endeavours to be "perfect", selfless, like Jesus.

How do we rise out of our concupiscence, this desire for worldly things and the tendency to sin? How can we seek perfection and find it on this earth?

As is revealed in the readings this Ascension Day, we will receive power from the Holy Spirit to restore the kingdom - for it is through the spirit of wisdom and perception that we can hope in what we have been called to do and see the glories we stand to inherit through answering the call.

However, having the power but not exercising it is useless. This happens when we seek perfection in things that cannot last - perfection of the body, mind and material things instead of spiritual perfection. Or we ignore the call.

Seeking spiritual perfection does not mean we eschew pleasure and all things worldly. It does not mean we are called to live in the desert, away from all humankind.

Seeking spiritual perfection means we live by and in the Spirit by seeking the presence of God in our lives and surrendering our will to Him on a daily basis. It means answering the call to serve in the way we are each called to serve.

This requires work and fidelity of the highest order.

As St Paul exhorted the Romans:

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

So make it a perfect day. Stay faithful.


Note: High fidelity equipment enables minimal noise or distortion and produces sound that is pure.