During his ministry, Jesus very drastically distinguishes himself. There is something different and special about him. With each miracle, the people come to know that Jesus truly is the Christ, the Messiah, the Lord. Even the men who seek to condemn Jesus say: "Never before has anyone spoken like this man," clearly acknowledging that Jesus was someone who could not be ignored.

We too must be like Jesus. The secular world makes little room for the values and beliefs of the Christian, which gives us even more reason to be like Jesus in all that we do. Think of the heroes that stand out in your mind, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., John Paul II. These are clearly not examples of people with worldly success. Each of them refused to succumb to the ways of the world. They turned their gaze higher; they all took on the body of Jesus.

Jesus’ lifelong message was simple, straightforward and profound: “love one another as I have loved you.” How simple, yet how difficult it can be! We need to incorporate this love into the very core of our being. During times when it is especially hard, we need to be honest with ourselves and with the Lord by praying through these difficulties.

We are in the heart of Lent, inching closer and closer to Easter. Let us make it a prayerful journey to the glorious resurrection and continue to be witnesses of Christ’s love and merciful power. In doing so, we might just change the world.

Father, help us to be your other self here on Earth. Please help us to imitate your powerful love. Amen.