I once told a adult Sunday School class the following: When you are at your best, not even Jesus could do it better. They looked startled. Why? Because we tend to think Jesus is bringing to the human encounter some special Jesus-Ingredient that we, mere mortals, don't have. But most of the things we are called to do are mundane and straightforward. Do them, do them well, and not even Jesus could perform them better. You don't need to be the Incarnate God to give a thirsty person a cup of cold water. Just give them a cup of cold water. It's not magical. If someone needs a kind word, then speak a kind word. It's not rocket science. 650-393 If someone needs forgiveness then say "I forgive you." It's not superhuman. Being Jesus, in my estimation, is easy. So I don't think we do people favors by making being the Imago Christi something only super-spiritual saints are capable of. Sometimes being Jesus is just listening over coffee. The point is, for large parts of the day you ARE being like Jesus. 640-816 We need to recognize and own those moments so that we can leverage them into the more difficult areas of spiritual formation. True, there are aspects of being Jesus that are very, 640-460 very hard. Loving enemies comes to mind. So I am simplifying here. But my point is simply this. If you want to be like Jesus don't try to be different.