IMITATION OF CHRIST
>> 21 January 2008
Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) was a popular comedian in English Cinema. Once he saw the advertisement for a competition. The competitors were to dress and act like Charlie Chaplin before an audience. The best actors would get attractive prizes. Just for fun, the original actor also registered as a competitor in a different name. The result of the show was announced. The original Charlie Chaplain got only the SECOND PRIZE. Some one else had imitated his style better!
In Kuttanad in Kerala, people depend on boats to travel through the extensive inland waters. A person by name Joseph bought a boat for his personal use and labeled it as 'St. Joseph'. His friend, Mr. Thomas bought a boat and named it, 'St. Thomas'. Later, their neighbour, a non-Christian, Mr. Gopalakrishnan bought a boat. Imitating his neighbours, he painted on his boat, in large letters, its name as 'St. Gopalakrishnan'!
It is a human nature to imitate others. We develop our personality by accepting features of different persons. It is said, "Stealing from a single source is theft, but stealing from several sources is research!" But we must be sure to copy only the good characters from others.
In Kuttanad in Kerala, people depend on boats to travel through the extensive inland waters. A person by name Joseph bought a boat for his personal use and labeled it as 'St. Joseph'. His friend, Mr. Thomas bought a boat and named it, 'St. Thomas'. Later, their neighbour, a non-Christian, Mr. Gopalakrishnan bought a boat. Imitating his neighbours, he painted on his boat, in large letters, its name as 'St. Gopalakrishnan'!
It is a human nature to imitate others. We develop our personality by accepting features of different persons. It is said, "Stealing from a single source is theft, but stealing from several sources is research!" But we must be sure to copy only the good characters from others.
St. Paul says, "Imitate me, then, just as I imitate Christ"{1 Corinthians 11: 1}. He added, "The attitude that you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had"{Philippians 2:5}.
Jesus said, "I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you" {John 13: 15}. Jesus advised, "So a pupil should be satisfied to become like his teacher"{Matthew 10: 25}.
Jesus said, "I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you" {John 13: 15}. Jesus advised, "So a pupil should be satisfied to become like his teacher"{Matthew 10: 25}.
By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.
For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site: http://www.moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com
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