Transformed into the image of Christ

Monday July 10, 2023

"All of us who, with our faces uncovered, contemplate as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, we are transformed into the same image, from glory to glory, as by the Lord, the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18

Transformed into the image of Christ

When Moses descends for the second time from Mount Sinai, his face shines (Exodus 34:30). For what ? Because he stood in the presence of God who shared his thoughts with him. Moses, intermediary between God and the Israelites, had to put a veil over his head to hide his face, because the people could not bear this radiance of the glory of God.

The mediator between God and us is Jesus Christ. But he came to us in a form similar to ours to make God accessible to us. He is God manifested in a body such as ours and, in this body, he allows everyone he approaches to contemplate his glory as the Son of God.

Today, it is by immersing ourselves in the accounts of his life in the Gospels that, guided by his Spirit, we can see in him the characteristics of God. They are not presented in an abstract way, but brought within our reach in a very lively way. It is up to us to follow the example of the Lord and to show his character among our fellow men.

When I know the mercy of Christ, can I close my heart to the unfortunate who knocks at my door ? When I see the way Christ pardons the adulterous woman, can I be insensitive to someone who repents of even a very serious sin ? When I see Jesus who does not insult those who insult him, can I get angry when I am offended ? When I grasp the goodness of the Lord for those who are hungry, am I not also moved with compassion for those who suffer from poverty ? It is therefore not by carefully respecting the commandments that I will succeed in transforming myself internally. But I will be transformed by contemplating Christ in his life on earth.

Stephen was a man filled with the Holy Spirit. We can be sure that he heard the apostles tell him Jesus' prayer in behalf of his enemies. So he falls on his knees when he is stoned and, like his Master, he prays for those who stone him so that this sin will not be imputed to them. No wonder his face shines like an angel's (Acts 6:15)!

Source (Pleasing the Lord)