discipleship: the best life possible
"If anyone comes to Me without turning his back on his father and mother, his wife and his children, his brothers and sisters, indeed his very self, he cannot be My follower." —Luke 14:26
To be a disciple of Jesus is the most radical commitment. The relationship of Jesus' disciples with Him is in a class by itself. In comparison with our love for Jesus, all other loves seem as hatred. Our relationship with Jesus is to be supreme. It is more important than our lives.
We will gladly carry daily crosses to be faithful as Jesus' disciples (Lk 14:27; 9:23). As Jesus' disciples, we are privileged to renounce Satan and all his works, to lose our lives (Lk 9:24), and to renounce all our possessions (Lk 14:33). One day as Jesus' disciple is better than a thousand days elsewhere (Ps 84:11). It is better to suffer as Jesus' disciple than to have all the pleasures money can buy (see Acts 5:41).
Jesus is God. "All [things] were created through Him, and for Him. He is before all else that is. In Him everything continues in being" (Col 1:16-17). Jesus is the Lord of lords and the King of kings "Who dwells in unapproachable light" (1 Tm 6:15, 16). He is Love Himself (see 1 Jn 4:8, 16). It is amazing that Jesus would call anyone to be His disciple. Yet even more amazingly He has chosen us (Jn 15:16). Let us rejoice in our discipleship and live it faithfully until death.
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to make me the best disciple I can be.
Promise: "Owe no debt to anyone except the debt that binds us to love one another." —Rm 13:8
Praise: Although bedridden, Alice prays for those who do not pray.
Reference: (Coming soon are our retreats, Discovering the Gifts of the Spirit, Married Couples Retreat, and the Men's Retreat. See our website www.presentationministries.com for more information.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 11, 2019
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.