DISCIPLESHIP

In the Gospel of Mark (Chapter 8:27-35), Jesus speaks for the first time about the Cross. He speaks for the first time about His passion and death. And that was shocking to the disciples especially Peter because the Jews expected the Messiah to be a powerful, triumphant military king like David who will drive out the Romans and reestablish the glory of Israel. Instead, Jesus reveals himself as the Suffering Servant because He knows that He alone can save us. He came not to be served but to serve because service is love in action. He is willing to give His life as a ransom for many. He is the sacrifice, atonement and reparation for our sins. Jesus challenges His disciples who want to come after Him to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him. To deny oneself is to let go of false security and false hopes because God alone is the supreme good, absolute treasure in life. It is to die to our old self and sinful and selfish way of life. It is to allow God to transform us and learn to rely on God alone. To take up one’s cross is to love to the end and to learn to give all. Mother Theresa said that it is to love until it hurts. True love involves sacrifices. A love that does not cost anything is not love. God does not rejoice in human suffering. Suffering is part of human condition. It is to accept our suffering courageously because it does not have the last word. God alone has the last and ultimate word. When we accept our suffering freely God will heal us from our woundedness so that we become wounded healers. Like the saints we become life giving persons and bring healing to others. To be a disciple of Jesus is to learn to trust God completely even into death. It is to allow ourselves to be initiated into the mystery of God’s love because His love alone is the only true power. A disciple is called to be a person of integrity, undivided in his love like Jesus.