We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28-29 NABRE)
Our purpose as Christians was designed by God himself. It has been said that our purpose is to be conformed to the image of Jesus.* But what does that mean? What can we infer from such a statement?
To conform is to become like something or to comply with established rules, standards, or laws.* For Saint Paul, for the Romans he wrote to, and for us, it means change. Scholars tell us that when we are baptized into Christ we are changed. We are, as Paul stated to the Colossians, renewed according to the image of the Creator (Colossians 3:10)*
The change that makes us into Christ's image is the presence of God's holy Spirit within us. And with this great Spirit, with the power that is shared with us, we are called to change ourselves so that we become like Christ to the world.
And so, to fulfill our purpose, we must yield to the prompting of the Spirit within, we must become like Jesus not only in Spirit, but in life, in our actions, in our thoughts, and in our words. Let us turn to the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to see and learn how our Jesus lived in this world as we listen within for the prompting of his holy Spirit.
Today, on this Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I will join with the whole Church and celebrate the birth of Mary, mother of Jesus our Savior.
Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
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