"make disciples" (mt 28:19)
"As He moved on He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus at his tax collector's post, and said to him, 'Follow Me.' Levi got up and became His follower." —Mark 2:14
Jesus walked into a tax collector's office and said: "Follow Me." He walked into a commercial fishing business and said: "Follow Me" (see Mt 4:19). The first thing, and almost the last thing, Jesus said to Peter was: "Follow Me" (Jn 21:19). Jesus is obviously preoccupied with calling us to follow Him, that is, to be His disciples and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19).
"Jesus said to all: 'Whoever wishes to be My follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in My steps' " (Lk 9:23). To be Jesus' disciples, we must follow Him totally and immediately (Lk 9:57-62). Jesus said: "In the same way, none of you can be My disciple if he does not renounce all his possessions" (Lk 14:33). We must subordinate all relationships, people, possessions, and our very selves to our pre-eminent relationship with Jesus (Lk 14:26, 33).
Do you want to move from being merely a good person, a church-goer, or even a prayerful person to being a disciple of the Lord? If so, renew your Baptism and decide now by God's grace to deny your very self, take up your cross each day, and follow Jesus. Be a disciple and make disciples who disciple others.
Prayer: Father, may I glorify You by bearing much fruit in discipleship (Jn 15:8).
Promise: "God's word is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates and divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the reflections and thoughts of the heart." —Heb 4:12
Praise: Gloria took a class on how to teach the Bible over ten years ago. Since then, she has faithfully led a Bible Study group.
Reference: (Presentation Ministries offers a Discipleship Program
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, June 20, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 1996