image-conscious
“Whose head is this and whose inscription is it?” —Mark 12:16
The Pharisees and Herodians were able to identify the owner of the Roman coin because of what was stamped on it. The seal on the coin marked it as belonging to Caesar.
When we were baptized into Christ, we too were stamped with an image, “sealed” with the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13; 2 Cor 1:22). We were “formed anew in the image of [our] Creator” (Col 3:10), and now we “share the image of His Son,” Jesus (Rm 8:29). God marked us with His own seal to identify us as His property (Rm 14:8). Isn’t this amazing? The same God Who forbade the making of any graven images out of concern for our falling into idol worship (see Ex 20:4) has now engraved His very own seal upon us (Eph 4:30).
Are you aware that you are marked with the seal of God? Can others tell to Whom you belong merely by looking at you? You can polish up your image. Concentrate on your Owner and gaze “on the Lord’s glory.” Then you will be “transformed from glory to glory into His very image by the Lord Who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18).
Prayer: Father, may all who see me think of You.
Promise: “What we await are new heavens and a new earth where, according to His promise, the justice of God will reside.” —2 Pt 3:13
Praise: Emperor Constantine had great respect for Sts. Marcellinus and Peter. He buried his mother, St. Helena, in the basilica that had been erected over their burial crypt. These two saints were such powerful witnesses that they converted other prisoners and their jailer before their deaths.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from June 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio September 18, 2019
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