Chrism

“Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him.” (Gen 1:26,27).

We have been created in the image of God in purity, righteousness, and holiness. “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet 1:15).

We have been created in the image of God in perfection. Complete perfection belongs to God only, but we have to strive for relative perfection as to what we can achieve according to our abilities and the extent of the work of grace in us. “therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Mt 5:48). We must seek perfection in order to be an image of God and fulfill His commandment to us. 

We have been created in the image of God in authority. “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen 1:28).

We have been created in the image of God in strength. We have to have strength of the spirit, thought, will and endurance, strength to combat diabolic wars and spiritual struggles. Also, strong morals: we must not shake, fear, hesitate or let the thoughts of despair and failure rule over us. He who is in the image of God never fears.

We should strive to always ask ourself what would Jesus Christ do if he was in our place? Our message is to carry the image of God in ourselves to the world, so that whoever meets us, can meet God through our behavior. Our Lord ascended to heaven, but He left His image in His disciples to be carried from generation to generation with His teachings.

It is therefore not right for us to copy the people of the world, but to be an example to them, a light to the world in whom they see the image of God, and love it.

– Contemplation from “The Spiritual Man” by Pope Shenouda III, his blessings be with us.