Imitating Christ -- A Tall Order?

Someone commented on a previous blog ("Imitation") that although the idea of having a model in life is a good one, imitating Christ is a tall order.

A tall order is a task that is very hard or even impossible to accomplish. In that sense imitating Christ is truly a tall order.

Jesus also said: "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Mt 5:48) That is also a tall order.

I think that in both cases, Jesus does not expect us to complete the perfection or the imitation we are asked to do. It is a matter of our trying to walk along the path, to go towards the direction of imitation and perfection He wants us to tread. It is thus a work in progress, of trying to develop greater conformity to the values of Christ, which is His will. In this He promises us His grace, which is sufficient, He assures.

It is like the training a weightlifter undergoes. He adds to the weight he lifts daily, beyond which he can lift no more. But it can bring him to winning in a competition.

When Christ Himself tried to do the will of the Father and took up His cross, it was no mean task, even for Him Who is not only human but divine. On the way to His crucifixion and to the glory of His resurrection, He fell three times but rose up, again and again. His love for us made Him go on. That is the path He wants us to follow. It is the way of love, of trust, and of hope.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. (Mt 16:24)

The way of the cross is part and parcel of our life as followers of Christ. (Mt 16:24) It is the path that leads to the glory of our own resurrection, with Him forever.#