Beloved in Christ,
What would happen if we decided to take the teachings of Jesus seriously and not just learn or know about them? Jesus has been teaching his followers different aspects of discipleship. Last Sunday, we heard about the necessity of preparedness for his coming. He could return for us anytime. We must be prepared. To be prepared is to be found witnessing to the truth of his teaching. What if we take the truth of the Gospel seriously? If we choose to practice true love, what would happen? If Jesus's wish were to come to realization, if we are filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit and purified by the passion of Christ, what would discipleship look like? Are we ready to pay the price of discipleship? Are we prepared to deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily and follow Jesus? These are pertinent and fundamental questions we must respond to if we want to take discipleship to its logical conclusion. If we make that choice, if we decide to follow through with bearing witness to the Gospel of Christ, there is a guarantee that divisions will arise between us and the world, including our family and friends. Are we prepared to pay the cost?
"Do you think I have come to give peace on earth?" (Lk 12:51). Apparently, the prince of peace did not come to bring about the peace as the world understands it. A peace brought about by power and might, a peace regulated through a compromise. No, Jesus came to confront the status quo and turn things on their head. He comes to heal through fire and salvific suffering. Any Christian worth the name must be willing to face opposition and suffering like Jeremiah, the most Christlike figure among the Old Testament prophets. Jeremiah was cast in the mud of trial because he spoke against the grain, against the false compromise that offers peace (Jer 38:5-6). He was not deterred by the hostility and divisions his proclamation of divine oracle caused. He was willing to pay the cost.
When we take discipleship seriously, not just a thought or idea we talk about, we enter into a costly lifestyle, a relationship with Jesus that may lead to rift and division with the people we care for, family and friends. But we can't be sentimental about it. When commitment to Christ comes into collision with the demands of family or friends, we must always be willing to pay the cost. Grace is not cheap; it is expensive. But it is worth it when we are on the side of Christ and the truth. May we be trusting in God as Jeremiah was. We must also remember that "a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us" (Heb 12:1); we are not alone in this holy task. When you are facing conflicts and hostility from the world or family, call on your guardian angel or patron saints. We should do this more often. Who is your patron saint or favorite saint? Can you begin a spiritual friendship with them? My patron saint is St. Bernard of Clairvaux, whose feast is on August 20. You should consider attending mass to celebrate my feast day with me, and I promise to seek the intercession of St. Bernard to come to your aid in your effort to live seriously your commitment to discipleship.
In Christ,
Fr. Alayode, OP
What would happen if we decided to take the teachings of Jesus seriously and not just learn or know about them? Jesus has been teaching his followers different aspects of discipleship. Last Sunday, we heard about the necessity of preparedness for his coming. He could return for us anytime. We must be prepared. To be prepared is to be found witnessing to the truth of his teaching. What if we take the truth of the Gospel seriously? If we choose to practice true love, what would happen? If Jesus's wish were to come to realization, if we are filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit and purified by the passion of Christ, what would discipleship look like? Are we ready to pay the price of discipleship? Are we prepared to deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily and follow Jesus? These are pertinent and fundamental questions we must respond to if we want to take discipleship to its logical conclusion. If we make that choice, if we decide to follow through with bearing witness to the Gospel of Christ, there is a guarantee that divisions will arise between us and the world, including our family and friends. Are we prepared to pay the cost?
"Do you think I have come to give peace on earth?" (Lk 12:51). Apparently, the prince of peace did not come to bring about the peace as the world understands it. A peace brought about by power and might, a peace regulated through a compromise. No, Jesus came to confront the status quo and turn things on their head. He comes to heal through fire and salvific suffering. Any Christian worth the name must be willing to face opposition and suffering like Jeremiah, the most Christlike figure among the Old Testament prophets. Jeremiah was cast in the mud of trial because he spoke against the grain, against the false compromise that offers peace (Jer 38:5-6). He was not deterred by the hostility and divisions his proclamation of divine oracle caused. He was willing to pay the cost.
When we take discipleship seriously, not just a thought or idea we talk about, we enter into a costly lifestyle, a relationship with Jesus that may lead to rift and division with the people we care for, family and friends. But we can't be sentimental about it. When commitment to Christ comes into collision with the demands of family or friends, we must always be willing to pay the cost. Grace is not cheap; it is expensive. But it is worth it when we are on the side of Christ and the truth. May we be trusting in God as Jeremiah was. We must also remember that "a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us" (Heb 12:1); we are not alone in this holy task. When you are facing conflicts and hostility from the world or family, call on your guardian angel or patron saints. We should do this more often. Who is your patron saint or favorite saint? Can you begin a spiritual friendship with them? My patron saint is St. Bernard of Clairvaux, whose feast is on August 20. You should consider attending mass to celebrate my feast day with me, and I promise to seek the intercession of St. Bernard to come to your aid in your effort to live seriously your commitment to discipleship.
In Christ,
Fr. Alayode, OP
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