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“Be imitators of me.” —Philippians 3:17
St. Paul’s statement to the Christians in Philippi to imitate him sounds a bit overconfident (Phil 3:17). He likewise told the Christians of Corinth: “Imitate me as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor 11:1). Yet St. Paul has a marvelous point. Faith is more often caught than taught. Mothers and fathers are clearly in such a position. Children naturally imitate their parents. Often we see children doing exactly as their parents do, both for good and for bad.
Jesus realized that He was setting “an example” for His disciples (see 1 Pt 2:21). When He washed the feet of His disciples, He said: “What I just did was to give you an example: as I have done, so you must do” (Jn 13:15).
At work, in school, others are watching. Someone is imitating you, consciously or unconsciously. Therefore, beg the Lord for more grace, more of the Holy Spirit (see Lk 11:13). Ask God for the grace to be “a noble example” of a disciple of Christ (see 2 Mc 6:28).
Regardless of whether you are aware of anyone imitating you, “be made perfect” (Mt 5:48). Be imitable. Imitate Christ.
Prayer: Father, may my life be pleasing to You (Ps 104:34) and worthy of imitation.
Promise: “He will give a new form to this lowly body of ours and remake it according to the pattern of His glorified body.” —Phil 3:21
Praise: St. Charles was born into a noble family and could have lived a life of luxury. However, at a young age, he asked his father to use most of his “trust fund” as a gift to the poor.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(The annual Married Couples Retreat is Nov. 11-12. Invite your spouse for little get-a-way with the Lord and other Catholic couples at our beautiful retreat center in Adams Co. Ohio. Call 937-587-5464, 513-373-2397 or e-mail retreats@presentationministries.com.)
Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from October 1, 2022, through November 30, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 3, 2022
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.