Author Topic: I want to be like Jesus (Read 690 times)

oppositeman · « **on:** October 24, 2013, 09:10:50 AM »

I want to stop loving my sin
So I can stop offending Him
Because I want to be like Jesus

I want to stop thinking of me
So I can love like Him
Because I want to be like Jesus

I want only to speak the Love in my heart
So I can radiate Him
Because I want to be like Jesus

I want to give everything good
And keep nothing for me
Because I want to be like Jesus

I want to breathe my perfect trust in Him
So that others see there is nothing to fear
Because I want to be like Jesus

I want others to feel my joy
To show them the way
Because I want to be like Jesus

I want others to see
That I am nothing without Him
Because I want to be like Jesus

I want others to know
That to be His Martyr of Love
Is to please my King
And to become like Jesus

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Capt McQuigg · « **Reply #1 on:** October 24, 2013, 11:58:24 AM »

Sounds kinda protestanty with a couple of spoonfuls of sugar on top.

Imitation of Christ? Yes!

I want to be like Christ? Sounds like an "grandiose imposter". We seek out His Sacred Heart, we look to hide in His Sacred Wounds, we worship Our Lord but when we start talking about being like Him, it sounds like a troubling theological stance to take.

However, I may be misreading the OP so no offense intended.

poche · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2013, 01:02:43 AM »

I want to be like Jesus too. That is why I am a Catholic.
:cool: :cool: :cool:

Anthony Benedict · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2013, 01:14:48 AM »

Yeah, Cap'n, it is a bit "soft-ish" but it could pass muster. Leastwise on a rainy day.

Nice sentiments but it's a whole lot more than sentiment, o'man.

A whole lot.

He was the only Man ever born precisely to die. You and I were not.

That moves the stakes up many, many orders of magnitude.

St. John Chrysostum wrote a learned tome on the incomprehensibility of God, but I grant that some of the sentiments you expressed can bring you closer to Him.

As long as you keep in mind that it is He Who does the "drawing-in" and not the other way around.

The best writers on the matter are SS. Thomas Aquinas, John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.

The most accessible small work is Thomas a Kempis' "Imitation of Christ" and the most magnificent single volume available is Fr. Adolph Tanqueray's "The Spiritual Life", written in the 1920s and available, I think, from TAN.

Go. Fast. Pray. For thirty years. In a cave. Then get back to us! :-)

(And, most sincerely, all the very best to you, as well!)

Cantarella · « **Reply #4 on:** October 25, 2013, 01:38:15 AM »

Quote from: Capt McQuigg

Sounds kinda protestanty with a couple of spoonfuls of sugar on top.

Imitation of Christ? Yes!

I want to be like Christ? Sounds like an "grandiose imposter". We seek out His Sacred Heart, we look to hide in His Sacred Wounds, we worship Our Lord but when we start talking about being like Him, it sounds like a troubling theological stance to take.

However, I may be misreading the OP so no offense intended.

Imitation of Christ? Absolutely!

Romans 8:29-30

29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Catholics are called to be conformed to Christ's image. According to Paul, it's so that Jesus can become "the firstborn of many brethren"! meaning that Jesus was by nature a Son of God, but through His Incarnation He made it possible for us to become sons of God as well. Jesus is the "firstborn" here because He is the archetype of what we are to model after.

Cantarella · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2013, 01:44:47 AM »

St Gregory of Nyssa says concerning Christ being "first born among many brethren,"

"He becomes “the first-born among many brethren,” Who is born before us by the new birth of regeneration in water, for the travail whereof the hovering of the Dove was the midwife, whereby He makes those who share with Him in the like birth to be His own brethren, and becomes the first-born of those who after Him are born of water and of the Spirit [Jn 3:5].

In what sense then does He become “the first-born among many brethren?” ... He became the first-born of those who are spiritually born again, and gave the name of brethren to those who partook in a birth like to His own by water and the Spirit".