I was thinking about identity in Christ, scripturally based.

Our Holy Mother, without God, if such a thing were possible, on her own and with God and her Son: the Queen of Heaven.

Simon, a denier and too quick with words, on his own, contrasted with Peter within Christ: the rock of the Church.

Matthew the collector of taxes within Christ an Apostle, the writer of a Gospel.

Mary Magdalen, a miserable sinner, viewed aside a woman immersed in Christ, an identity of repentance and reform, an individual of sublime wisdom and insight, one content, contrite and at peace.

Saul, the vindictive man of the law, experiencing Christ in a vision, reformed to Paul, the spreader of the Good Word and more.

John the Evangelist, christened into a Son of Thunder, the Catholic mystic and writer extraordinaire.

John the Baptist, leaping in the womb, baptizing on into eternity, Christ his eternal Savior and friend. St Francis de Sales identities John the Baptist as the greatest follower of Divine Will with some intriguing thought. John the Baptist accepted his God ordained mission, a voice crying in the wilderness. He knew Jesus from birth forward. He knew Jesus in all his glory. He had to accept he could not follow closely to his beloved. He was not chosen as a disciple. He accepted his own mission, while surely in his heart he must have longingly desired to be near Jesus, to hear his every word, to witness his every breath.

Quick ruminations on lives lived deeply within Christ.