Following Jesus
The more one internalizes such religious thoughts [regarding Christ], the more he aspires to imitate him and grow in his love towards Jesus Christ. As he grows in love, he also acquires confidence in the grace necessary to imitate him. (OOCC, III, p.34)
St. Vincent gave great importance to the imitation of Jesus in his Christian living. In order to help himself and others to practice the imitation of Jesus, he formulated a “Daily Practical Memorandum.” It contained practical suggestions as to the ‘how’ of the imitation of Jesus. It was meant to help a person achieve a complete and integrated imitation of Jesus. It stressed the practice of traditional virtues, which in turn would help a person in his spiritual and apostolic formation by conforming himself to Christ in the most perfect way. It was also meant to be a reminder that would again and again call a person to live a life in imitation of Jesus. By the practice of the “Daily Practical Memorandum,” a person can internalize his reflections about the life of Christ and form right convictions, evaluate his motivations and make the needed changes in the manner in which he lived his Christian life in imitation of Jesus. When a person attempts to live his life in this way, he learns to know and love Christ. True knowledge and love of Jesus would fill him with genuine desire to live a life in continued imitation of Jesus and the determination and confidence to carry on despite the hardship one may face in living such a life.
Do I reflect on Jesus’ life and internalize my reflections and form right convictions about my Christian living? Do I evaluate my motivations and make the needed changes in my attitudes and actions in order to live a life in imitation of Jesus? Do I carry on living my life in imitation of Jesus, despite the difficulties I encounter?
So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us. (Eph. 5: 1 – 2)