We are living in an age of an insistent inclination to the “Instant”….

We seek for…

>> Instant Coffees…

>> Instant Food…

>> Instant Juices…

>> Instant Pleasures…

>> Instant Solutions to problems…

>> Instant end to difficulties…

And sadly…even an inclination for Instant Christianity!

Christianity sometimes gets reduced to…

… Going to Church once in a while especially on a Sunday or a Feast day

… Saying a few prayers time to time

… Reading a few verses from the Bible.. etc…

>>> And then expecting Instant blessings and favours!

But is this all that Christ intended with Christianity?

>> What does it mean to be a Follower of Christ?

There are various categories or classifications in the job sector.

>> Some do a full time job

>> Some do it part time

>> Some do it on a contract basis

>> Some do it to achieve a target.

Am I a Christian, as a full timer…?

>> Or have I reduced it to a part time affair, or in terms of some contract or promises, or in order to achieve some wants and desires?

The Gospel of the Day is a call to re-look at some of the motives and intentions in our following of Christ.

The Gospel of the Day begins with the verse:

Mt 8:18 – “When He saw the crowd press around Him, Jesus gave orders to cross to the other shore”

The preceding verses in Chapter 8 of the Gospel of St Matthew present Jesus performing many miracles and healings…

… and a “Crowd” being attracted to the Lord.

Where there is a miraculous event, a crowd gathers….

But the Lord, wished to sift this Crowd.

>> He says, ” Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His Head” (Mt 8: 20)

Jesus does away with any promise of security and comfort

>> He discourages people from following Him for having a better material life!

It was not that He didn’t want many people…

… but He wished to purify their motives & make them authentic in their following Him!

He sifts and sieves and strains the “Crowd”…to get together the “Disciples”.

Where there is a miraculous event, a crowd gathers…

>> But when there is an exhortation in being committed to that miraculous event…

… the crowd is filtered…and only the Disciples remain back!

The Lord is asking us today…

Are we just a part of the CROWD…?

… or are we ready to be filtered, and be a DISCIPLE?

It is easy to be part of a Crowd….

>> We can enjoy the occasional miracles

>> We can relish hearing the Word of God

But it is not easy to be a Disciple…

>> The experience of external miracles would be few

>> The Word of God would not just be heard, but also be expected to be lived and practised in life!

>> There would be no guarantee of any security in life

>> Many of the personal desires would have to be left behind…

To be a Disciple is hard…

… undoubtedly painful…and certainly, demanding

>> But to be a Disciple is also joyful…

… undoubtedly satisfying…and certainly, exciting!!

The Crowd is Casual…

… the Disciple is Dedicated!

The Crowd is Dichotomous…

… the Disciple is Committed!

What are we going to choose?

To be part of the “Crowd” ?…  an Instant and easy-going Christianity?

… or to be a “Disciple” – an Ever-faithful and committed Christianity?

Your answer please?…

… Instantly!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Quotable-quote-a-day-with-St Francis de Sales (SFS) – “It is not those who commit the least faults who are the most holy…

… but those who have the greatest courage

… the greatest generosity

… the greatest love

… who make the boldest efforts to overcome themselves

… and are not immediately apprehensive about tripping!”

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