Become Like Me
Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope
My dear encountered couples:
We might have our doubts about how well this young man kept all the commandments Jesus outlined for him. “You shall not kill, not commit adultery, not steal, not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, love your neighbor as yourself.” But he said he did. “I have kept all these; what do I need to do further?” And Jesus told him that if he seeks perfection, then sell all he owns, give the money to the poor, and come follow him. Isn’t doing all these things the same as following Jesus?
I suspect Jesus was inviting the young man to physically join his group of disciples who went with him all over Israel.
Since we can’t do that, he is inviting us to join him spiritually, but that does not rule out physical actions. We are not just to pray, attend Mass, and then go on living as do those who don’t pray or come to Mass or believe in God.
As followers of Christ certain things are expected of us. There are standards and principles we are to adhere to, which are to become not just something we do for people to see, but which are to become integral parts of our very basic character and personality.
In other words, our following of Christ means we become like Christ in thought, word, and deed, not in let’s pretend but in reality. Let me paraphrase the words of Jesus to the young man:
“If you seek perfection, then tear your heart from all attachment to things of this world and become like me.”
Only the Holy Spirit can make that possible for us. Let us ask him every day to help us to better cooperate with him.
