The idea of resembling the Lord Jesus is one that has a great appeal to all true believers. Certainly we would like very much to imitate him in his selfless dedication to the Father's plan and his self-sacrifice for the sake of all those called to enter the kingdom of God. This ambition is a noble one and we do well to cultivate it and strive to carry it through in the daily opportunities life offers us for realizing it.
Nothing is more deserving of our desire and energy.
In today's Gospel Jesus readies us for this great project of following in his footsteps by reminding us of just what such imitation can entail in actual practice. We must be prepared for opposition and even rejection, as was his lot. We take up the invitation he extends to us to follow him we soon discover that it can prove to be a rather lonely way to live at times. Often enough we find that we have to search out God's will in situations that are confused so that we must grope along trusting in his guidance. We are aware of being vulnerable, knowing we cannot prove we are right to take a course that those we live with find disturbing to their settled views and ways.