Christian is another Christ

Gn 12:1-9; psalm 33 Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own; Mt 7:1-5

I am currently on retreat in the middle of the desert.  Yet, it seems I have internet connection.  Truly amazing how we all can stay connected.  It reminds me of the power of Christ working in us who believe.  In him we are one body, held together by his grace, intimately connected and united.

The connection to the body never can be lost unless we choose to walk away and abandon a life of faith.  

St. Gregory of Nyssa tells us in his treatise on Christian Perfection  that "the cumulative force" of the many titles given to Christ "reveals to us his inexpressible  majesty, insofar as our mind and thoughts can comprehend it.  Since by the goodness of God, we who are called "christians" have been granted the honor of sharing this name, the greatest, the highest, the most sublime of all names, it follows that each of the titles that express its meaning should be clearly reflected  in us.  If we are not to lie when we call ourselves "christian," we must bear witness to it by our way of living."  

As St. Paul tells us, "It is no longer I who live: it is Christ who lives in me."  Thus, a Christian is another Christ through and in faith.

What are some of those titles of Christ that help us understand our identity as a new creation in Christ: 

"power and wisdom of God, unapproachable light where God dwells, our expiation and redemption, the radiance of God's glory, our great high priest, our paschal sacrifice, our spiritual food and drink, the cornerstone, the visible image of the invisible God, the head of his body the church, the first fruits of those fallen asleep, the first born of the dead, the mediator between God and man, the Lord of Glory, king of the universe, prince of peace, and last but not least the only begotten son."

If we were to meditate on each of these titles then we would truly discover who we are meant to be when we are plugged in, connected to the body of Christ from where all grace flows.  

We stay connected in faith and in faith we come to know what it means to be alive in Christ.

For as St. Ireneaus exhorts, "the glory of God is man alive."