The Cost and Benefit of Discipleship
What does following Christ mean?
Following Christ comes with costs and benefits
In breaking the word, Fr. Dom explained that following Christ means leaving security, yesterday and foregoing attachment. It is not being a disciple when it feels comfortable or suits you, or sometimes but rather it is a commitment to bear fruits all the time.
Following Christ is not easy- it means putting Christ first and everything else secondary. I will follow you wherever you go Lk 9: 57 “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” Lk 9;58 It means listening to the soft prompting of Christ that is calling us to serve him and putting security as secondary. Fr. Dom shared that in his life when he received the call to leave his employment and serve God it was a time when he was expected to share in the financial burden of the renovation of his family home. However, his mum asserted that if God was calling him, he would take care of the rest. Everything fell into place and they were blessed. He said no one who has left their family to serve God was ever in a state of need. His family affairs were well-taken care of.
Following Christ means serving him now. It is not waiting for the appropriate time to serve. It is about leaving yesterday behind and living in the present.
Let me go and bury my father first Lk 9:59 “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Lk 9: 60
Following Christ means foregoing attachment. It means only attaching yourself to Christ knowing that everything else is ephemeral.
Let me go and say good-bye Lk9: 61 “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Lk 6:61
Being a disciple has its costs but also benefits. St Irenaeus and Pope John Paul II tell us when we serve God, He makes us whole and our hearts are filled with joy.
God did not tell us to follow Him because He needed our help, but because He knew that loving Him would make us whole. St. Irenaeus of Lyons
“The most beautiful and stirring adventure that can happen to you is the personal meeting with Jesus, who is the only one who gives real meaning to our lives.” Pope John Paul II