Discipleship

Do you think of yourself as a disciple of Christ?

What is a disciple? The dictionary defines a disciple as a pupil, a learner, an imitator, or a follower.

How are you being a disciple today?

Jesus gave us examples of humility, loving compassion, patience, and forgiveness. He was not judgmental; he had righteous anger, and selfless submission to God’s will.

The conditions of discipleship as stated by Jesus:
“If anyone wishes to come after me, you must deny yourself and take up your cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) So we can expect a cross in many forms: sickness, disappointments, sorrows, losses, humiliations, angers, heartaches, and sharing another's burden with no way to help.

How did Jesus cope? He spent nights by himself in prayer.

How do you cope?

It costs to be a follower of Jesus. We have to stand up and stand out for what we believe in. Sometimes we have to go where we would rather not. Even Jesus drew back in the garden.

Have you had times like that in your life?

“Zaccheus had to leave behind concerns as to what people thought of him when he took Jesus to his home.

Levi the tax collector had to give up ambitions of power and success to follow Jesus.

The Samaritan woman had to let go of her doubts about her worth.

The woman who washed Jesus, feet with her tears and dried them with her hair had to leave behind her old ways and be filled with sorrow.

Like Lazarus we need to come out from our tombs and leave behind whatever is dead and binding our spirits.” (Out of the Ordinary – Joyce Rupp, OSM)

What have you had to leave behind to follow Jesus?

Jesus borrowed a manger on which to lie.
He borrowed a boat in order to preach.
He borrowed the loaves and fishes to feed the multitude.
He borrowed a donkey to ride into Jerusalem.
He borrowed a room to celebrate the Passover.
He borrowed a tomb in which to be buried in.

What can you lend Jesus today?

He needs your heart to love others.
He needs your hands to reach out where help is needed.
He needs your lips to share his words.
He needs your body to share in his suffering.

“There is an old Christian tradition that God sends each person into the world with a special message to deliver, a special song to sing for others and a special act of love to bestow. No one can give my message, sing my song or offer my act of love. These have been entrusted only to me.” (John Powell, S.J.)

This is the month we celebrate Easter, our great day of hope as disciples of Christ. Do we come out of our tombs and say, “Here I am, Lord, send me?”

Alice Elliott
Associate, Servants of Mary