The Call to Perfection, Bishop speaks to the Spiritans

A Reflections from Bishop John Arnold’s retreat with the Spiritans

Bishop John Arnold opened the second day’s conference with the Spiritans in the British Province, comes with a striking invitation from the Gospel of Matthew: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). At first, such a command may seem terrifying. In our humanity, we are painfully aware of our shortcomings. We stumble, falter, and often long for reassurance. Yet the bishop urged us not to see this verse as a demand for flawlessness, but rather as a divine call into the fullness of God’s love, a love that transforms us and calls us beyond our fears.

Click to access the first reflection of Bishop Arnold.

He guided the participants into the Gospel of Mark, painting a vivid picture of the disciples, ordinary men, flawed and fragile, who witnessed the wonders of Christ firsthand. They walked with Jesus, shared in his mission, and saw miracles unfold before their eyes. And yet, when the hour of trial came, they fled. Even after his resurrection, their hearts hesitated to believe the good news shared by the faithful women.

Still, Christ did not abandon them. He sought them. He restored them. He stood among them with wounds of love and words of peace. Bishop John reminded all that this is the very heart of our Spiritan vocation: not perfection achieved through our efforts, but a faithful journey with the One who never lets us go.

In our ministry and mission, storms will come. Doubts will rise. Failures will wound. Yet we are not alone. God has chosen us, not because we are perfect, but because he is faithful. Let us be encouraged: the Lord remains present, guiding and sustaining us. In this assurance, we carry out our Spiritan call, striving not for worldly perfection, but for faithfulness in love.

He concluded this  session with a Eucharistic celebration, drawing the confrères into the heart of the Church’s mission. During his homily, Bishop John invited them not to be mere spectators, but active participants in God’s ongoing work of redeeming the world. In a time marked by conflict, uncertainty, and natural disasters, each confrère, he urged, must carry the love of Christ into their ministry, becoming instruments of peace, healing, and hope. In a broken world thirsting for meaning, they are called to be bearers of Christ’s redeeming presence.

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