IMITATION OF CHRIST

               Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) was a popular comedian in English Cinema. Once he saw the advertisement for a competition. The competitors were to dress and act like Charlie Chaplin before an audience. The best actors would get attractive prizes. Just for fun, the original actor also registered as a competitor under a different name. The result of the show was announced. The original Charlie Chaplain got only the SECOND PRIZE. Some one else had imitated his style in a better way!

                  A person by name 'Joseph' bought an auto-rickshaw and labeled it as 'St. Joseph'. His friend, Mr. Thomas bought another similar vehicle and named it, 'St. Thomas'. Later, their neighbour,  Mr. Babu bought an auto-rickshaw. Imitating his neighbours blindly, he painted on his vehicle, in large letters, its name as 'St. Babu'!

                  It is a human nature to imitate others. We develop our personality by accepting and adopting the attributes  of different persons. It is said, "Stealing from a single source is theft, but stealing from several sources is research!" But we must be sure to copy only the good qualities from others. Mar Ivanios, the Servant of God, the first Arch-Bishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church organized the 'Bethany Ashram' and named the community as the 'Order of the Imitation of Christ' (O.I.C). This was not to imitate the dress, beard or hairstyle of Christ, but the lifestyle, vision and mission of Christ.

                  That was the way to sanctity followed by the saints. St. Paul says, "Imitate me, then, just as I imitate Christ"{1 Corinthians 11: 1}. He added, "The attitude that you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had"{Philippians 2:5}.

                 Jesus said, "I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you" {John 13: 15}. Jesus advised, "So a pupil should be satisfied to become like his teacher"{Matthew 10: 25}.

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By Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.

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