To begin with the second question, we may remind ourselves that we are Christ through our Baptism. So the process of imitating Christ is really the process of identifying ourselves with him. This transformation is a lifelong work. In the ancient world, masters gathered disciples around them, disciples who stayed with that master all the time, for the purpose of imitation. Jesus clearly stated, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mt