17-08-2026, Monday of Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
τέλειός (teleios Gk) (Perfect En) (Mt 19:21)
The Word to reflect today is from today’s Gospel passage according to Matthew (19:16-22). The word τέλειός means complete, perfect; in full measure, undivided, entire; full development as opposed to immaturity; having attained the end or purpose; free from any deficiency, omission, or corruption’.
Jesus uses this word as a challenge to the young man, If you want to be τέλειός (perfect)… The young man was grieved, since he was not willing to give away his possessions to be perfect.
Greek philosopher, Aristotle spoke of four levels of happiness: Laetus (happiness from physical pleasure), Felix (happiness from ego gratification), Beatitudo (happiness from doing good to others), and Sublime Beatitudo (finding transcendence and ultimate meaning). The young man was stuck with the lowest levels of happiness, with physical pleasure and ego gratification. He did not want to find completeness, eternal life at the expense of losing his wealth.
Saint John of the Cross, uses the example of a bird that is tied to the ground with a small string or a large rope. It doesn’t matter how significant the attachment, but any attachment will hinder our flight to God.
What about you and me? What attachment, wealth, person or activity does not allow you to be τέλειός (perfect), to fly to God. “But when that which is τέλειός (perfect) comes, then that which is in part shall be done away. (1 Cor. 13:10)