“Having been purified, the just person becomes a coin of the Lord, bearing the imprint of His King” (St. Clement of Alexandria).
This wonderful phrase of St. Clement of Alexandria expresses very aptly what happens when we walk the path of holiness, the stages of which we briefly touched on in the last three meditations based on a prayer by St. Nicholas of Flüe.
Our Father wants to find His image reflected in us, for He created us in His image and likeness. The most beautiful thing for us is to become what we were called into existence to be. Let us never forget the stamp imprinted on us when we become a “coin of the Lord”: the image of Christ Himself. This is how our Father willed it, and He Himself sets to work to make His plan a reality.
When we contemplate the beauty of the saints presented to us by the Church, we may ask: “Why are you so radiant?” They would answer: “Because the Lord made us so. It is His beauty that is reflected in us.” Can you imagine the Virgin Mary answering differently? Certainly not!
And what about the holy angels? If we were to ask them why they are so glorious, they would begin to praise and glorify the Lord.
And if we were asked such a question, would we not also say, “Everything good and beautiful that you see in me comes from Him?”
Our Father lovingly invites us to become what He has willed from all eternity. After forgiving our faults through the blood of His Son, He sent us the Holy Spirit, together with the Son, to help us overcome all distortions and deformations. In this way, we will not be counterfeit coins, but the image of the King will shine in us.