DISCIPLESHIP: Following Jesus Radically

We are in the thirteenth Sunday of ordinary time. The readings of today focus on discipleship. This reflection centers on the call that the priests and religious have received and the kind of life that they are to lead.

To be a disciple of anyone is not just to have interest on that particular person, or to like what s/he likes, or to have some knowledge about him/her and to have relationship with him/her. It is more than that; to be a disciple of somebody is to become a kind of that somebody. Disciple has to follow the master in word and deed. Therefore, the discipleship begins by living with the master. Jesus told his disciples to come and see where he lives. “The disciples went and saw the place where Jesus was staying…They stayed with Jesus...” (Jn 1:39). In word and deed Jesus taught them the cost of discipleship. His call was free, given to many, but only few remained till the end. Today, the seminaries and the formation houses of religious orders represent the place of learning discipleship. Here, the seminarian and the religious learn about Jesus in word and deed. It not a mere place for imparting intellectual knowledge about Jesus rather it’s also a place of giving Christ experience. Do our seminaries and religious houses give the experience of Christ to the candidate? This is an important question that needs to be answered authentically. The formators are supposed to be ardent disciples of Jesus who could be model for the formees as they are disciples in making.

To be a priest and religious is not to bring honour to one’s family. It is not escapism from the worldly life. It is not even an alternative profession. To be priest and religious is to be authentic disciple of Jesus by following him radically. The cost of discipleship for Jesus is to leave everything even our own family priorities. Jesus’ call to follow Him radically by leaving everything should not be understood in then context. To change the meaning of ‘radical following’ in view of evolution, or in the name of better understanding is only an excuse that we make. Perhaps the radical call of Jesus to follow Him has more relevance today than it was ever before. If Jesus had asked His disciples to leave everything and follow Him in an underdeveloped period, where materialism was hostile, what more would He expect from us in this consumerist world. Would He not tell us to abandon all the materialistic attachments? Therefore, His call has to be taken seriously by disciples in making.

The fruit of one’s discipleship bring blessing to many. The one who welcomes the disciples of Jesus receives blessing. In the first reading the woman receives the blessing of bearing child (after long years of her marriage) as a result of welcome and the hospitality that she has extended toward Gods’ servant and disciple; Elisha (2Kg 4:16). This blessing is not an additional blessing. This blessing fulfils her need. The blessing is not adding something to what we already have. The real blessing is receiving something which we lack and are in need of very much. God’s blessing would fill the family of the disciple from where one comes. It is not because of his/her coming rather it is for the fruits that s/he bears. The life amidst pandemic is a great opportunity for the disciple to show his/her fidelity, to show his/her radicallity in following Jesus. For the disciples in making (seminarians and religious) the present scenario is a challenge to their decision to follow Christ radically and to experience Christ in this utter helplessness. The faithfulness, fidelity and radicallity that the disciples of Jesus show during this time of suffering would bring blessing upon many in the future.