“Making a choice to be a Disciple of Christ – and to be ever-faithful and a committed Christian!”

(Based on Amos 2:6-10, 13-16 and Mt 8:18-22 – Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time, Year 2)

A motivational speaker was addressing a group of youngsters…
… and was insisting on the importance of “making the right choices in life”

She quoted Ann Voskamp, a Canadian Author and said:
“Remember…
Busy is a choice!
Stress is a choice!
Joy is a choice!
Choose well….!”


Our choices go a long way, in determining the quality of our life!

Christianity requires us to make choices…
… choices for the Kingdom
… choices of Kingdom virtues over worldly ways


In a world where there is an insistent inclination to the “Instant”….
>> Instant Coffees…
>> Instant Food…
>> Instant Juices…
>> Instant Pleasures…
>> Instant Solutions to problems…
>> Instant end to difficulties…
And sadly… even an inclination for Instant Christianity!
… we are called forth to make choices that enhance our commitment to the Kingdom.


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


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?


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?

We are exhorted to move from the tendency reduce Christianity as just a part time affair, or in terms of some contract or promises, or in order to achieve some wants and desires…
… and instead to be Christian as a full timer!


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”- as an easy-going Christian?
… or to be a “Disciple” – as an ever-faithful and committed Christian?

Your answer please?…
… Instantly!


God Bless! Live Jesus!

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Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
THE MYSTAGOGY OF THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM
>> In the Latin Church this triple infusion is accompanied by the minister’s words: “N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
>> In the Eastern liturgies the catechumen turns toward the East and the priest says: “The servant of God, N., is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
>> At the invocation of each person of the Most Holy Trinity, the priest immerses the candidate in the water and raises him up again.
>> The anointing with sacred chrism, perfumed oil consecrated by the bishop, signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptize…
… who has become a Christian, that is, one “anointed” by the Holy Spirit, incorporated into Christ who is anointed priest, prophet, and king (CCC #1240-1241)
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