A Better Translation

Today's assigned Gospel reading for churches across the country is one of the more difficult texts, Mathew 5:48, which reads, "Be ye perfect, as your father in Heaven is perfect": a sure prescription for failure, right?

But like so many passages in the Bible, it becomes much easier to bear if we unearth other (and likely, better) translations. See  how any of the following feel, and how they might open up more spaciousness inside of you:

"Be whole as your father in Heaven is whole""
"Be evenhanded, as your father in Heaven is evenhanded"
"Be balanced, as your father in Heaven is balanced"

All of those seem quite consistent, as well with the origin of the word "sin", which was an archery term that simply meant to miss the mark, to fall short of the target. 

I don't know about you, but reclaiming that translation feels infinitely more hopeful to me. Be whole and evenhanded- otherwise you might get out of balance and miss the mark!

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