Sparks Among the Stubble

The Image of Christ Impressed Upon Our Souls

St. Innocent Orthodox Church

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In this homily, we reflect on two great feasts of the Church: the Feast of the Holy Mandylion, or Holy Napkin, and the Dormition of the Mother of God.

The image of Christ impressed upon the Holy Napkin gives us a beautiful image of the Christian life. We are called to have the image of Christ increasingly impressed upon our own souls through prayer, fasting, almsgiving, Scripture, worship, and works of mercy.

Because we are made in the image of God, the Christian life is ultimately about restoring and conforming that image to Christ. Our goal is not merely to identify ourselves as Christians, but to become people through whom others can encounter Christ.

The saints show us what this looks like. The Mother of God, in particular, lived her entire life in service to her Son and presented Christ to the world through her obedience, holiness, and love.

As Christians, we carry a particular responsibility in the way we speak, act, work, and treat those around us. Whether through great acts or ordinary interactions, our lives should become conduits of God's grace so that those who encounter us may encounter something of Christ Himself.

May the image of our Lord Jesus Christ be deeply impressed upon our souls, that we may become faithful disciples and bear His presence into our families, our workplaces, our parish, and our communities.

Christ is in our midst!


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