Positive Elements in Discipleship (Contd):
Given below is, in sum and substance, the gist of the requirements of discipleship (See Matthew, 16:24-27, Mark, 8: 34-38; Luke, 9: 23-26) announced by Jesus himself.
Leave the self behind: What is the meaning of leaving the self behind? It is the same as making oneself a servant. Did Jesus really mean that we have to be real servants instead of being symbolic ones? For, our tendency, in understanding the Word of God, is to make everything into symbols. Thus we have the annual washing of the feet to commemorate the washing of the feet undertaken by Jesus at the Last Supper. Jesus gave it as an example of how we should be willing to be servants of each other in our everyday life. He never meant us to perform this annual ceremony and lead the rest of our life throughout the year like Masters,Lords and Kings. If we do so we are making a mockery of the beautiful gesture of Jesus in preparation for his Paschal Mystery.
A servant is essentially someone who looks after the well-being and comforts of others. On account of his or her service, the beneficiaries are empowered to be more human and enjoy life in its fullness (See John, 10: 10). This is in contrast to the thief who comes only for taking away and destroying life. We, the baptized, are called to be servants which implies leaving one's self behind. Before we jump to hasty conclusions especially from what is given below about the role of a servant , let us remember that the roles will vary depending on the project that has to be executed. In order to be clear about the role of a servant, a reading of Luke, 17: 7-10 should be sufficient to clarify the issue without further explanation. There we read: "Suppose one of you has a servant ploughing or minding sheep. When he comes back from the fields, will the master say. 'Come along at once and sit down?' Will he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, fasten your belt, and then wait on me while I have my meal; you can have yours afterwords?' Is he grateful to the servant for carrying out his orders? So with you: When you have carried out all your orders, you should say. 'We are servants and deserve no credit; we have only done our duty'!"
Take up the cross: Again symbolism comes to the fore when we carry the cross especially on Good Friday processions, and remain contended with the psychological satisfaction resulting from the exercise. In countries like Philippines, some people go to the extent of crucifying themselves to provide a spectacle of sorts. Luke may have foreseen the danger of this kind of annual repetition of crucifixion without it influencing the daily lives of the disciples. In order to offset this kind of misunderstanding, Luke has added a clause which is very important in understanding the meaning of "taking up the cross". Luke says: "...; day after day they must take up their cross, and come with me" (Luke, 9:23).
It is a day after day exercise just like life itself. Life with all its opportunities and vicissitudes create a number of crosses for us everyday. The cross looms large on every human relationship including the marital ones. Family life, Church life, social life, our private and official life, etc., invite innumerable occasions of taking up our cross. Jesus demands that we accept all those crosses with equanimity. Once we accept them half the battle is won. The other half is to be won through His graces continuing to guide us. Even though the human nature revolts in the face of many unsavory experiences, stubborn resistance will result in wastage of our precious energy. A calm acceptance of our daily cross is the first step in learning to obey the Will of God. After all, nothing happens to us without the foreknowledge of God Who alone is able to write straight with crooked lines. Our crooked nature and consequent actions can be cured by the soothing touch of His Spirit. We should not try to evade the crosses that come our way. This is especially true when one wants to live a life of righteousness, upholding justice and truth. People who are enmeshed in the warp and woof of this worldly existence without any thought of the Kingdom of God will overtly or covertly jump at your throat just because you want to be just and truthful. They will say that you are impractical as their practice is governed by the standards of this world and they scarcely think of the Gospel values. They will make you unfit to live in this world just as Jesus was found to be impractical and unfit to live in a world of religious extremism and political pragmatism. Let us say "yes" to the crosses of our everyday life. (See the next Post for the third requirement of discipleship). (To be Contd).
Given below is, in sum and substance, the gist of the requirements of discipleship (See Matthew, 16:24-27, Mark, 8: 34-38; Luke, 9: 23-26) announced by Jesus himself.
Leave the self behind: What is the meaning of leaving the self behind? It is the same as making oneself a servant. Did Jesus really mean that we have to be real servants instead of being symbolic ones? For, our tendency, in understanding the Word of God, is to make everything into symbols. Thus we have the annual washing of the feet to commemorate the washing of the feet undertaken by Jesus at the Last Supper. Jesus gave it as an example of how we should be willing to be servants of each other in our everyday life. He never meant us to perform this annual ceremony and lead the rest of our life throughout the year like Masters,Lords and Kings. If we do so we are making a mockery of the beautiful gesture of Jesus in preparation for his Paschal Mystery.
A servant is essentially someone who looks after the well-being and comforts of others. On account of his or her service, the beneficiaries are empowered to be more human and enjoy life in its fullness (See John, 10: 10). This is in contrast to the thief who comes only for taking away and destroying life. We, the baptized, are called to be servants which implies leaving one's self behind. Before we jump to hasty conclusions especially from what is given below about the role of a servant , let us remember that the roles will vary depending on the project that has to be executed. In order to be clear about the role of a servant, a reading of Luke, 17: 7-10 should be sufficient to clarify the issue without further explanation. There we read: "Suppose one of you has a servant ploughing or minding sheep. When he comes back from the fields, will the master say. 'Come along at once and sit down?' Will he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, fasten your belt, and then wait on me while I have my meal; you can have yours afterwords?' Is he grateful to the servant for carrying out his orders? So with you: When you have carried out all your orders, you should say. 'We are servants and deserve no credit; we have only done our duty'!"
Take up the cross: Again symbolism comes to the fore when we carry the cross especially on Good Friday processions, and remain contended with the psychological satisfaction resulting from the exercise. In countries like Philippines, some people go to the extent of crucifying themselves to provide a spectacle of sorts. Luke may have foreseen the danger of this kind of annual repetition of crucifixion without it influencing the daily lives of the disciples. In order to offset this kind of misunderstanding, Luke has added a clause which is very important in understanding the meaning of "taking up the cross". Luke says: "...; day after day they must take up their cross, and come with me" (Luke, 9:23).
It is a day after day exercise just like life itself. Life with all its opportunities and vicissitudes create a number of crosses for us everyday. The cross looms large on every human relationship including the marital ones. Family life, Church life, social life, our private and official life, etc., invite innumerable occasions of taking up our cross. Jesus demands that we accept all those crosses with equanimity. Once we accept them half the battle is won. The other half is to be won through His graces continuing to guide us. Even though the human nature revolts in the face of many unsavory experiences, stubborn resistance will result in wastage of our precious energy. A calm acceptance of our daily cross is the first step in learning to obey the Will of God. After all, nothing happens to us without the foreknowledge of God Who alone is able to write straight with crooked lines. Our crooked nature and consequent actions can be cured by the soothing touch of His Spirit. We should not try to evade the crosses that come our way. This is especially true when one wants to live a life of righteousness, upholding justice and truth. People who are enmeshed in the warp and woof of this worldly existence without any thought of the Kingdom of God will overtly or covertly jump at your throat just because you want to be just and truthful. They will say that you are impractical as their practice is governed by the standards of this world and they scarcely think of the Gospel values. They will make you unfit to live in this world just as Jesus was found to be impractical and unfit to live in a world of religious extremism and political pragmatism. Let us say "yes" to the crosses of our everyday life. (See the next Post for the third requirement of discipleship). (To be Contd).
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