The Collect of the Mass contains so many beautiful prayers. One is “Grant that we, who have been renewed …may be transformed in the image of our heavenly maker.” Being transformed in the image of God reminds me of an activity I did with high school students. We found a large stand-up mirror (compliments of the town’s furniture store) and placed it in the school. We carefully put on the mirror a paper outline of the face of Jesus. Around Jesus’ head were the words “Lookin’ like Christ!” Students could see themselves in the face of Jesus and challenge themselves to look like Christ.

Lots of things can transform us into Christ: fasting, holy hours, good deeds, our work, family life, suffering, prayer. Scripture includes gazing on the Lord of Glory. What will happen? “All of us, gazing on the Lord’s glory…are being transformed from glory to glory into his very image by the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18). Think of that when you look into a mirror.