The gospel for the 9th Sunday of Ordinary Time is what might be titled as the heart of Jesus’ intention in all the different teachings we have encountered during the last several weeks of gospel readings. This is the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount.
Knowing that he put many thoughts before those listening to him, Jesus gives his listeners a picture of what a trues disciple should be -- man, woman, young person, older person.He wraps up the sermon with a picture, a description of the characteristics or qualities of a true disciple of Jesus. What he taught then is no less important today.
Jesus makes clear a reality many may overlook or just take for granted. He is very clear: “Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” Whoa! What is he saying? He means this: coming to Mass every Sunday, the rosaries said, the novenas made all of this and more do not, DO NOT, make a true disciple. Far from it! He is saying that “church going and discipleship are not synonymous.” He goes so far as to say even being able to work wonders, preach superb homilies, even in done in Jesus’ name do not necessarily earn the discipleship badge!
Catch this and repeat it several times: “A true disciple is totally united to God in heart, soul, and mind. A genuine disciple must have “the mind of Christ,” think like Christ and dedicated to HIS WAY of seeing and doing. We can be so busy talking and doing that we just don’t get the message. We don’t stop and LISTEN. Imagine the Judgement Day: coming before Jesus Christ who says “I really don’t recognize you. Yes, you did some pious things but you did not do MINE.
Knowing that he put many thoughts before those listening to him, Jesus gives his listeners a picture of what a trues disciple should be -- man, woman, young person, older person.He wraps up the sermon with a picture, a description of the characteristics or qualities of a true disciple of Jesus. What he taught then is no less important today.
Jesus makes clear a reality many may overlook or just take for granted. He is very clear: “Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” Whoa! What is he saying? He means this: coming to Mass every Sunday, the rosaries said, the novenas made all of this and more do not, DO NOT, make a true disciple. Far from it! He is saying that “church going and discipleship are not synonymous.” He goes so far as to say even being able to work wonders, preach superb homilies, even in done in Jesus’ name do not necessarily earn the discipleship badge!
Catch this and repeat it several times: “A true disciple is totally united to God in heart, soul, and mind. A genuine disciple must have “the mind of Christ,” think like Christ and dedicated to HIS WAY of seeing and doing. We can be so busy talking and doing that we just don’t get the message. We don’t stop and LISTEN. Imagine the Judgement Day: coming before Jesus Christ who says “I really don’t recognize you. Yes, you did some pious things but you did not do MINE.
An Irish Jesuit blog, Living Space, suggests four “interacting qualities” that are the characteristic marks of a true disciple. (1) Hear Jesus. This is more than recalling just the catechism you learned. It means I listen to the Word of God in the Old and the New Testament. Is there dust on your Bible at home? Is there a Bible in your home? (2) Understand the Word of God. We have to work at coming to know what those words of scripture mean. This means a little extra work, doesn’t. If you were invited to work with a prominent figure, wouldn’t you read his/her speeches or writings? Being a disciples is no different. (3) Accept what the Word of God puts before us. It has to become part of the fabric of our being. This Christianity business is not easy. Neither was carrying the cross up the Calvary hill for Jesus. (4) Having done all possible, live my life according to what I have come to know God wants for and from me. Some might ask just how much is it that God wants from me. Jesus didn’t question his Father’s will for him even when in the garden and he realized what would soon be his torturous fate and death he said, “Take this cup (of suffering” away from me....but not as I will but your will be done.”
Noted spiritual writer, Fr. Tony de Mello, SJ, was accustomed to say: “It is all a question of attitude.” When we become men and women who can honestly say I am trying with all that is in me to be a disciple o Jesus, to live the life God has given me to live, is is then that we will fully understand the significance of the minor elevation in the liturgy, when the priest raises the consecrated chalice and host(s) and says: “Through him, with him and in him.” It is then that you know that you are a disciple of Jesus.
Noted spiritual writer, Fr. Tony de Mello, SJ, was accustomed to say: “It is all a question of attitude.” When we become men and women who can honestly say I am trying with all that is in me to be a disciple o Jesus, to live the life God has given me to live, is is then that we will fully understand the significance of the minor elevation in the liturgy, when the priest raises the consecrated chalice and host(s) and says: “Through him, with him and in him.” It is then that you know that you are a disciple of Jesus.
