Discipleship

01-21-2024Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

The 1st reading tells us how God shows infinite mercy even to a pagan nation, as long as they repent their deeds and believe His messenger (Jonah). The people of Nineveh listened to Jonah and repented and showed sincere acts of penance: The people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast, and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. (Jon. 3:5)

Like the people of his time, St. Paul believes that man has entered the last stage of its history before the second coming of Christ. But not knowing the exact time when this second coming will be happening, it is better to be alert and be ready. For this reason, St. Paul emphasizes detachment from life’s temporal concerns and wants. A disciple has to keep in mind the Christian principles and values. A disciple has to live for God and the fulfillment of His Kingdom.

Jesus proclaims the Kingdom of God and calls for conversion: “This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Jesus calls for a metanoia, a change of heart, and a sincere commitment to the Good News. For conversion to happen, a childlike openness of the heart is necessary to accept in totality the message of the Gospel. The Kingdom of God is present in the person of Christ, over whom God is present. The mission of Christ is to bring men to accept this Kingdom in their hearts. To further the mission, He needs disciples whom He commissions to become fishers of men. Thus, going around Galilee, He proclaimed the message of God and picked one by one His would be disciples.

Jesus called His first four disciples; they were radical and eager to follow Him. Peter, Andrew, James, and John immediately left everything and followed Jesus, even without knowing what discipleship entails. Scripture says: Many are called, but few are chosen.(Mt. 22:14) Uncommitted people see that being a Christian is fashionable, like the initial followers of Jesus, who left when He finally made known to them the demands of discipleship. Some people followed the Lord with not so noble intentions, like Judas, who wanted to profit from being with Jesus. People who wish to benefit materially or temporally with their being Christians. People who will readily abandon their beliefs when personal interests are not satisfied. Or people who betray their Christian beliefs when they run contrary to their interests. Still, others are faithful in times of success but abandon ship as soon as the cross looms over the horizon.

Authentic Discipleship demands: 1.) Proper attitude > that involves true conversion, a change of mind and heart > that reflects the mind and the Heart of Christ. 2.) Ongoing formation of the mind, learning what Jesus taught (the Gospel message). 3.) Formation of the heart to serve: The service of others in love is the essence of Christian discipleship. To follow God in discipleship is to cultivate a holy faith centered on Jesus Christ, His life, and His teachings.

Bread of Life: When God blesses you financially, don’t raise your standard of living. Raise your standard of giving.