It’s natural for us to want to become the “best version of ourselves.” It’s easy to think we are also responsible for defining what that “best version” is. But Jesus has already done that for us. There is nothing better we could pursue than for our lives to be a mirror image of the one who is the image of God. This week we see how, just as Jesus was sent by his Father to proclaim the good news, so he sends his followers to do the same. For that to happen, he must first draw those followers close to himself to receive forgiveness for their sins. By purifying their unclean lips with his perfect sacrifice, they are made eager to share what they have received.