Call of the Human Person to Perfection as the Image of God

I remember, O my God, that you lovingly created us in your image and likeness, and that you have given us the gift of free will to perfect ourselves meritoriously, insofar as we are living images of you. (OOCC, X, p. 298; STA, 338)

The human person is created in the image and likeness of God. His creation as the image of God is an act of love on the part of God. By this act of love, God shares with a person the essence of his nature, that is knowledge and freedom. By placing these godly qualities in a person, God calls him to move towards the attainment of perfection in the image of God. Thus, as the creature that can know, understand and choose freely, the human person has the obligation to perfect himself in the ideal perfection of God in whose image he is made. Hence, he must use his knowledge and freedom wisely so as to live his life in as perfect an image of God as possible. By his right perception of reality and proper choice of his love, a person is called to transform his life and that of others into the likeness of God and to build up a community modelled after the communion of persons within the Trinity. St. Vincent Pallotti was conscious of the fact that he was created in the image of God and that he was called to perfect this image of God within himself and in others. He accomplished this task by the right use of his faculties of knowledge and freedom which helped him to bring about genuine changes in his life and that of others. Therefore, he became more and more like God, the source of his being as the image of God.

Am I conscious of my being the image of God? Do I recognize my obligation to perfect myself as the image of God? Do I make proper use of the faculties of knowledge and freedom in order to perfect myself as an image of God?

I urge you … brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God … [and] be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. (Rom. 12: 1)