Sr. Rosy Malekudy FHGS
Discipleship is a radical way of following the master and is different from just following any person. Discipleship involves faith, determination, commitment, courage, willingness to renounce certain privileges, readiness to listen to the master, and a deep desire to be transformed by the master.
Discipleship is also about relationship. A disciple relates in two ways: with God he relates as a devout child and with people, as a humble servant. He renders assistance to anyone who needs it. In both cases, he is always the debtor. The cost of discipleship is immense. A loving commitment is the foundation of a true discipleship. A disciple must perform the daily tasks with love and dedication.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus breaks into the ordinary circumstances of human life and invites people to begin a life of discipleship. It is a gift and a great privilege offered by Jesus to anyone who would follow Him. The first step towards discipleship is taken by Jesus Himself by extending this invitation to be Hid disciples. Jesus’ invitation to discipleship is universal – He had both male and female disciples. What matters is a heart committed to being faithful to Him.
The call to discipleship exacts a response from those who are called. The terms and conditions for discipleship are challenging and demanding. This will involves the disciples leave everything and set out on a journey of faith. The cost is that a disciple has to play ‘will’ always be measured in terms of that which he/she treasures most. Jesus does not play tricks or games with us just in order to get us to be His disciple. He seems blunt in saying, “if anyone wants to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Lk.9:23. Yet, the cross that Jesus speaks about need not always be understood as pain and suffering but fulfilling the demands of daily duty in a spirit of love. We are never forced to pay up. Discipleship is ultimately a choice. It is a voluntary submission to give oneself to the will of the Master.
Jesus made it very clear to his followers that the kind of discipleship he intended was very different from that which they thought of. They were amazed to see their master washing their feet. By this act of humility, Jesus made it clear that love and service should be the motivating factors in their decision to follow Him.
“Every calling is great when greatly pursued.”
