Tag Archives: Disciple

LIVE AS A DISCIPLE

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Sunday 31st May – Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Reflection: Matthew 28: 16-20

LIVE AS A DISCIPLE

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”

As we read these words of today’s gospel reading let us focus on ourselves as disciples who have been “made” as Jesus instructed. We, who have been baptized in the name of the Trinity are an evidence that Christ’s first disciples truly carried out the great commission. Yet, our discipleship is not manifested simply in being members of the Body of Christ. Our discipleship calls us to an entirely different way of life – a life that reflects our conversion. Are you living as a disciple of Christ?

Today’s readings reveal what our lives should entail as disciples:

  1. Obedience to God’s laws: In the first and gospel readings, Moses and Jesus call for God’s people to be obedient to His laws. Living as disciples entails living in total obedience to God in ALL situations of our lives.
  2. Sharing Christ’s suffering: St Paul reminds us that our sharing in Christ’s glory as his co-heirs must be preceded by sharing in His sufferings. When we stand up for truth and purity despite opposition from peers; when we decide to obey God no matter the cost, we share in Christ’s sufferings and truly live as disciples.
  3. Trust in Christ’s presence: Jesus promised His disciples His ever abiding presence. As His disciples, we must trust in Jesus’ abiding presence especially in the difficult moments of life. His presence is manifested in a special way in the Sacraments. He gives Himself to us in the Eucharist and raises hands of mercy and forgiveness over us in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. As we avail ourselves of these live-giving encounters with the Lord, we grow in grace to live as true disciples.

Dear friend, St Paul tells us that only those moved by the Holy Spirit are sons of God (Rom 8:14). Ask the Holy Spirit today for the grace to truly live as a faithful disciple always.

PRAYER: Thank you Jesus for the gift of my faith. Please help me to live in obedience to you and to trust you in every situation of my life. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 205 – What happens in Confirmation?

In confirmation the soul of a baptized Christian is imprinted with a permanent seal that can be received only once and marks this individual forever as a Christian. The gift of the Holy Spirit is the strength from above in which this individual puts the grace of his Baptism into practice through his life and acts as a “witness” for Christ.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” Matthew 7:21 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: Deut 4: 32-34, 39-40; Psalm 33: 4-6, 9, 18-22; Rom 8: 14-17; Mt 28: 16-20

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ARE YOU READY?

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Sunday, 26th January – 3rd Sunday of the year

Reflection: Matthew 4:12-23

ARE YOU READY?

“Look, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my call and open the door, I will come in to you and have supper with you, and you with me” (Revelation 3:20). Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw Peter and his brother Andrew who were fishermen and called them to follow him, at once they left all and followed him. Also, James and John, Son of Zebedee, left their Father and their boats and followed him at once. These disciples did not know what lies ahead, yet, they left all and followed him.

Dear Friends, today Christ is calling you to follow him; to be his disciple. Can you hear the call and are you ready for this? The call to follow him is a call to bear witness to Christ. This demands self-mortification and total submission from you. Self-mortification in terms of the comfort and pleasure we have to let go, the way of life and friends we have to leave, the insults we have to bear and the enemies we have to love and forgive. All these constitute the daily cross we have to bear to be a disciple of Christ (Luke 14:26-27). Christ is calling you today to serve him in the Church, in the community, and in the world at large. Can you hear Him and are you ready?

Remember, when God sends you on an errand, He pays the bill. So, do not worry about what lies ahead if you respond to the call. God will take care of that, for He cares for us. All you need to do is to make yourself available and say, “HERE AM I LORD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL”.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for my being, give me the grace to hear and to respond to your call all my life. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 348 – “Teacher, what . . . must I do to have eternal life?” (Mt 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: “My son, if you have decided to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Keep your hearts upright and remain resolute; do not be upset in the time of adversity.” Sirach 2:1-2 GNB

Readings for today: Isaiah 8:23- 9:3, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17; Matthew 4:12-23