tion.

When the Church speaks to us of the attributes of our Lord, of His justice
and mercy and sanctity and truth, her object is not merely to extol the
Divine perfections, but also to exhort us to imitate them, and to be like
Him, just and merciful, holy and truthful. Behold the sublime Model that
is placed before us! It is not man, nor angel, nor archangel, but Jesus
Christ, the Son of God, "who is the brightness of His glory, and the
figure of His substance."(31) The Church places His image over our altars,
admonishing us to "look and do according to the pattern shown on the
Mount."(32) And from that height He seems to say to us: "Be ye holy, for I
the Lord your God am holy."(33) "Be ye perfect, even as your heavenly
Father is perfect."(34) "Be ye followers of God as most dear
children."(35)

We are invited to lead holy lives, not only because our Divine Founder,
Jesus Christ, was holy, but also because we bear His sweet and venerable
name. We are called _Christians_. That is a name we would not exchange for
all the high-sounding titles of Prince or Emperor. We are justly proud of
this appellation of _Christian_; but we are reminded that it has annexed
to it a corresponding obligation. It is not an idle name, but one full of
solemn significance; for a Christian, as the very name implies, is a
follower or disciple of Christ--one who walks in the footsteps of his
Master by observing His precepts; who reproduces in his own life the
character and virtues of his Divine Model. In a word, a Christian is
another Christ. It would, therefore, be a contradiction in terms, if a
Christian had nothing in common with his Lord except the name. The
disciple should imitate his Master, the soldier should imitate his
Commander, and the members should be like the Head.

The Church constantly allures her children to holiness by placing before
their minds the Incarnation, life and death of our Savior. What appeals
more forcibly to a life of piety than the contemplation of Jesus born in a
stable, living an humble life in Nazareth, dying on a cross, that His
blood might purify us? If He sent forth Apostles to preach the Gospel to
the whole world; if in His name temples are built in every nation, and
missionaries are sent to the extremities of the globe, all this is done
that we may be Saints. "God," says St. Paul, "gave some Apostles, and some
Prophets, and others Evangelists, and others Pastors and Doctors, for the
perfecting of the Sain