Challenges To Discipleship

Message from Fr. Jose Koluthara, CMI

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In answering to Jesus’ call, each must willingly enter into a process of becoming first human, then Christian, then a disciple. This process of growth and development is born in the realization that all human persons are created in the image and likeness of their Creator. Created in the image of Love, human beings are to love and not hate, reverence and not abuse, care for and not curse others, make peace with one another and refrain from every inclination toward violence. Created in God’s likeness, human beings are to preserve and protect life rather than destroy it or lessen its dignity.

Human beings are also called to conform to the image of God incarnate, Jesus Christ (Rom.8:29). Jesus gave his all (“he emptied himself”, Phil 2:7) when he accepted the invitation to act as a disciple in the ways and the will of God. In the same way, those to become his followers are challenged to give all of themselves. Each of the readings for today’s liturgy references something of that incalculable cost of discipleship.

The author of the 1st reading (Wisdom 9:13-18) advises readers to entrust themselves to the wisdom of God. Rather than insist on their own will, make their own plans and seek the satisfaction of their own desires, each should allow the “holy spirit from on high” to plot the path that will lead them to God.

In the second reading, Paul shares with his friend Philemon the very high price his discipleship required of him. Imprisoned for his beliefs and his service to the Gospel, Paul did not regard himself as a helpless victim unjustly accused, but as an ambassador whose privilege it was to be an image of Christ in the world.

In the Gospel, Jesus calls Christians to do three things: First, each must love Jesus best and first and formulate a value system that clearly reflects that love. This Gospel does not advocate a cold-hearted detachment from others but a genuine love of Jesus that inspires and purifies all other loves. Second, among the challenges to discipleship set forth in today’s Gospel is a willingness to imitate Jesus so completely as to embrace the daily crosses that are inherent in that commitment. Finally, Jesus calls for a sensible decisiveness as regards the cost of persevering discipleship. Have I accepted Jesus’ challenges? Am I ready to meet the costly demands of discipleship?