who do you imitate?
“We too must be like other nations…” —1 Samuel 8:20
The Lord called the Israelites to be “a people peculiarly His own” (Dt 26:18). God was their God, and they were His people. They belonged uniquely and peculiarly to Him, and Him alone. However, the people said, “We must be like the others” (see 1 Sm 8:20). They rejected God as their King (1 Sm 8:7).
Jesus’ followers are to be the Lord’s (Rm 14:7-8). We are “set apart” for the Lord (Rm 1:1), consecrated to His service. Being like the other nations is a harmful temptation, for this leads us to forget who we are in Christ. We forget our identity.
Many imitate their favorite sports hero or entertainer or media personality. Unless these people are living a godly lifestyle, imitating them will not turn out well. This is why St. Paul told the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitated Christ (1 Cor 11:1).
The irony is that we do have a King and Ruler, Christ the King, Lord of the Universe (see Rv 19:16). But often we say, “We will not have this Man rule over us” (Lk 19:14). However, we belong to Jesus, Who has paid the price for us (1 Cor 6:20). Do not desire to be like the others who live in the world. “Seek first His kingship over you, His way of holiness, and all these things will be given you besides” (Mt 6:33). Desire to be His.
Prayer: Father, grant me the grace to fix my eyes on Jesus (Heb 3:1) and follow in His footsteps (Lk 9:23).
Promise: “All gave praise to God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’ ” —Mk 2:12
Praise: St. Marguerite earned the title of Cofoundress of the Church of Canada by ministering to the young women of Quebec.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(For a related teaching on Spiritual Anorexia, listen to, order or download our CD 101-1 or DVD 101 on our website.)
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 December 1, 2023, through January 31, 2024. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio March 17, 2023"
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.