Wednesday 9th September – Wednesday of week 23 of the year

LIVING AS DISCIPLES

Colossians 3: 1-11

The popular and well respected Indian non-violence activist, Mahatma Ghandi was once quoted as saying, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

Indeed, Ghandi’s observation is not contrary to what many other people have truthfully expressed. Why has Christ become so different from the people ‘like-Christ’? What went wrong with our Christianity? This question can only be answered when we go back to the beginning. ‘What is Christianity? ’.

Rather than being just a religion with Ten Commandments and lengthy doctrines, Christianity is living the true life of Christ. Christ’s disciples were called Christians because they were found to live like the Christ they proclaimed. Jesus lived in truth, love, and perfect obedience to God’s will and that is the life to which He has called us. St Paul reminds us in today’s reading: “…you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3).

In baptism, you have died to your old self and risen with Christ to a new life. This new life is a life of love – true sacrificial love. Take time to examine yourself today. Does your Christian faith make you less judgemental, slanderous, quarrelsome etc and more loving and tolerant of others? Christianity is a journey towards knowing God as He truly is. Each day gives us a new opportunity to renew our commitment to Christ and truly live as His disciples. Let the opportunity today offers you not be wasted.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, teach me to live as you lived. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 348 – “Teacher, what…must I do to have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16)?

Jesus says, “If you would enter life, keep the commandments” (Mt 19:17). Then he adds, “and come, follow me” (Mt 19:21). Christianity is more than a correct life and keeping the commandments. Being a Christian is a living relationship to Jesus. A Christian unites himself deeply and personally with the Lord and with him sets out on the way that leads to true life.

HIDE A TREASURE: “He replied, who are my mother and my brethren? And looking around on those who sat there he said, “Here are my mother and my brethren!. Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3: 33-35 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Colossians 3: 1-11; Psalm 145: 2-3.10-13; Luke 6: 20-26