The Difficult Adventure of Being a Christian: A Call to Radical Discipleship

As we reflect on the readings for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, we're reminded that following Jesus Christ is a challenging yet rewarding journey. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "The Paschal mystery of Christ's cross and Resurrection stands at the center of the Christian life" (CCC 571). This journey requires us to carry our cross and follow Him, embracing a life of sacrifice and death to ourselves.

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus emphasizes the importance of prioritizing our love for Him above all else. "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26).
This radical commitment requires us to put Jesus first in our lives, even above our loved ones. As Pope Francis reminds us, "Christ is the centre of creation, Christ is the centre of his people and Christ is the centre of history."

The power of Jesus' name is transformative. As Saint Paul's intercession for Onesimus shows us, invoking Jesus' name can change hearts and situations. "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross" (Colossians 1:19-20). This story exemplifies the Christian call to forgiveness, reconciliation, and love.

Following Jesus is a lifelong decision that requires careful consideration and commitment. "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23). We must count the cost and be prepared for the challenges of discipleship. As Pope Benedict XVI notes, "Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction."

But here's the good news: trusting in God's providence is foundational for Christians. "In him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). By trusting in God's plan, we can persevere in our faith and discipleship, even in the face of difficulties and uncertainties. As Pope John Paul II said, "Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ!"

In conclusion, following Jesus Christ is a journey that requires sacrifice, commitment, and trust in God's providence. As the Catechism reminds us, "The Christian vocation consists in following Christ, the perfect model of all virtue" (CCC 459). May we deepen our commitment to following Jesus and find joy and peace in our faith. Remember, "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans." Do you take your cross in the footsteps of Jesus, or do you reject it? The choice is yours. But if you choose to follow Jesus, be prepared for a journey that will challenge you, transform you, and ultimately lead you to eternal life. As the saying goes, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Let's get going on this journey of faith and discipleship, with Jesus as our guide and model. Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Trust is everything

Image
It has been long since we shared a write-up. Today, I invite you we talk about the mission of the 72. They may have been sent on a journey of faith with just but instructions. The instructions were; they should rely on others for their survival. This maybe hard for some of us to contemplate but to Jesus, it was the way we are all sent.  Jesus sent his disciples 2 by 2 and never had he contemplated to send loners in the ministry. Why did he send them in twos? The most important element he wanted to articulate was trust, first to God and second to the person you are walking together with.  Trust is a vital component of any relationship. This is so because it makes us let down our guard just because we know someone got our backs. Trust is built on honesty,reliability, and vulnerability. Without Trust no relationship can grow leave alone flourish. In journey of life we can build honesty through open communication which involves sharing of thoughts and feelings openly w...
Read more

let's make Adoration free from dramatisation

Image
AS A  BY STANDER,one would wonder what Eucharistic Adoration Ministry is. why do we attach and name it  under specific place or Rev. Priest incharge? Do we have to be desperate to go to  adoration ministry for adoration? Does the adoration ministries in Nigeria and some other parts of Africa Conform to Jesus teachings on Bread of life as it is in the Gospel Of John Chapter 6? Why do we have to prevent the commercialization of church institutions that are themselves should be source of reconciliation and harmony with the lord Jesus Christ? To begin with, in adoration of the Blessed Eucharist, we deepen our spiritual connection to Jesus Christ present in consecrated Host. Through doing so, we foster our relationship with God through prayer and worship. In this adoration of the Holy Eucharist,we honor with reverence Christ's presence in the sacrament. In doing so, we enhance our spiritual growth by offering a chance of repentance and renewal. In adoration of the Blessed Euch...
Read more

Hillary Clinton statement on Equality

One hundred and sixty-seven years ago today, brave women and men gathered in Seneca Falls to sign their names to what, at the time, was a radical statement: We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal. Thanks to the movement that took root in Seneca Falls and continued through generations of tireless effort, women can now vote, earn and keep our wages, own property, serve in the military, and hold elected office. But our journey towards equality continues, and there's much more we can accomplish together. So today, I’m asking you to pledge your support to keep working for equality. Let's work together to build a nation where women earn equal pay, no matter the color of our skin. A country where women have the tools and support they need to participate in the economy, including paid family leave, access to child care, and the ability to make our own reproductive health decisions. Let's build a country where a woman can be president. ...
Read more