From my earliest childhood remembrances, music filled our home. My mother was an accomplished pianist who began to play the piano at about six years of age. As her talent developed, her practice sessions increased to two, three and four hours a day. By age 13, she was tutored at the local college conservatory of music and gave public recitals; and, she caught the attention of and was encouraged to continue her musical development by the Dean of the Julliard Conservatory of Music in New York. After high school, she attended and studied music at two major universities. Although she could have pursued a professional career as a pianist, she fell in love and married my father after the Second World War.

I recently had a visit from a young lady who attends my local church congregation, and we talked for a while. During our conversation, she shared that she did not remember her father ever telling her he loved her. I immediately had a flashback to when I was growing up. I could relate, because my family did not hug each other or express love.

I recently attended a family gathering where one of my relatives asked another, “How did you find yourself” or “not lose yourself” while rearing three children? I did not hear the response, but the question has stuck with me. This relative feels that she has lost who she is because she is a wife and mother. To her, being happy is not connected with doing her best as a wife and mother, but rather with “finding herself.”

With the election of Francis I of Argentina as leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, questions abound. Will he liberalize his church, perhaps relaxing the celibacy requirement for priests and seeking a greater Vatican role in the political life of Europe and beyond? Will he be the final pontiff before Christ’s return? Was his election in fact predicted by a medieval monk?

Nothing in this life is perfect, is it? Yet, many strive for perfection. Olympic athletes strive for perfect 10 scores. No mistakes or errors. But what about perfection in behavior? Is perfection required of a Christian?