The Christian life takes its shape from the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who took our flesh and healed our nature. The Apostle sets a clear pattern for us: “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). In the Church this call draws us into the life of Christ that is given in worship, in daily prayer, and in steady obedience to His teaching. The Fathers call this end theosis. It is the sharing of our life with God’s life by grace. The Bible gives the same hope, specifically that through God’s promises we “may become participants in the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). This is not copying the outside of Christ’s life. It is a real change within us as His grace works in our minds, our wills, and our habits.

To grow in this way, we learn the mind of Christ. St. Paul speaks plainly. “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). This mind shows itself in humility, patience, and a steady desire to do the Father’s will. It also teaches us to speak truth without harshness and to serve without looking for praise. The Lord sets the path when He said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). Self-denial is not a dramatic gesture. It is the daily choice to turn from selfish impulses and choose the good. In parish life this looks like keeping the fasts, guarding the tongue, showing up for prayer, and helping those who need care.

Prayer and Scripture reading keep this path alive. The Gospels show the Lord at prayer: “he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12). We follow His example by keeping a simple rule at home. Morning and evening prayers, a few Psalms, and the Jesus Prayer on the prayer rope set the heart at rest. Little by little the remembrance of the Lord settles into the day. The Bible guides the soul and form the conscience. “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Read a portion each day. Read the Gospels again and again. Read with the Church, using the readings set by the liturgical year, and look to the Fathers when questions arise. The Bible then shapes our choices at work, at home, and online.

The Holy Mysteries anchor this growth. In Baptism we die and rise with Christ. In Chrismation the Holy Spirit seals us for the life of the Kingdom. In the Eucharist the Lord feeds us with His Body and Blood. The first believers show the pattern we still follow: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). The Divine Liturgy teaches us how to live. We bring our sins and burdens, we offer our thanks, and we receive the holy Gifts. Then we carry this eucharistic way into the week. The Apostle’s word gives the shape of it. St. Paul said, “and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). This love speaks kindly, keeps no list of wrongs, and looks for chances to serve.

Charity flows from the holy Table. The Lord gives us a clear standard on this matter. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). So we feed the hungry, visit the sick, write to the imprisoned, and welcome the stranger. (cf. James 1:27) Make a simple plan. Keep a small fund for alms, give time each month to a work of mercy, and learn the names of those you help. Love becomes concrete when it is planned and carried out with care. Fasting, simplicity, and alms-giving protect charity from sentiment and keep it steady. The Church sets fasts to quiet the passions and free resources for the poor. Keep the fast in obedience to your priest and within your health. Give without show, as the Lord teaches us: “do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3). In quiet faithfulness the heart learns freedom.

Forgiveness preserves communion and heals memory. The Apostle writes, “and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). Begin with honest self-examination at night. Pray by name for those who have hurt you. Go to confession regularly and bring specific offences, both given and received. The grace of the Mystery will do its work. Humility is the Lord’s own garment. The hymn in Philippians tells us that He “humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). Follow Him in quiet service. Take the lower place at home and at church. Accept correction without excuses. Thank God for every small chance to serve unnoticed. Keep your enemies in your prayers.

Our life in Christ is communal. “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). Each of us has a gift for the good of all. Some visit the shut-ins, some bake prosphora, some teach, some clean the church, some organise meals. Ask your priest where help is needed and take a task you can keep. Spiritual guidance gives shape to the struggle. The tradition commends a stable relationship with our confessor or spiritual father. Speak plainly about your temptations and habits. Receive the counsel given and put it into practice. The Bible blesses this medicine. St. James wrote, “Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).

The saints and the feasts teach us how Christ’s life looks in real people. Keep their days. Read a short life now and then. Place icons where you pray and learn a troparion or two by heart. In worship we stand with them: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1). Their stories strengthen courage and keep hope warm. A daily rule keeps the heart steady. Morning prayers, a Psalm at midday if you can, evening prayers, and the Jesus Prayer throughout the day are enough for a strong foundation. Keep intercessions for family, friends, and the departed. Set reminders on your mobile to pause and pray for a moment. In this way we learn to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Discipleship touches ordinary things. Honour the Lord in your work by honest labour and fair dealing. Keep Sundays and feast days by attending the Liturgy. Guard your speech from gossip and crude talk. Turn the mobile off for a time each evening and give your attention to the people in front of you. Make your table a place of thanksgiving and peace.

Trials will come. Illness, worry, and loss test what we have learned. Hold fast to the Lord’s words and to the prayers of the Church. Ask for help when you need it, and let others help you. Keep a small Cross or a prayer rope in your pocket and use it when anxiety rises. In this way the Cross we carry becomes the place where grace meets us. Perseverance ties all of this together. The disciple abides in the Lord’s teaching and keeps taking the next small step each day. St. John gives a clear measure for our walk: “whoever says, ‘I abide in him,’ ought to walk just as he walked” (1 John 2:6). Do not chase novelties. Keep the basics with patience and trust.

The goal is friendship with Christ and obedience born of love. He gives a plain promise: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” and again, “They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me” (John 14:15, 21). With this before us we ask for a clean heart, a steadfast spirit, and grace for a good end.

May the Lord strengthen us to live this way in our homes, our parishes, and our work, until we see His face with joy.

May God bless you +

Fr. Charles
24 August 2025