The cost and need of Discipleship today

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The one phrase that sticks out in this Gospel today is” The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” On first sight you may get the feeling that Jesus is talking to us about some sort of ministry like being a Nun or Monk or a priest. On closer inspection it is a deeper call for all of us to be one of mission. We are all called to discipleship. And here we see in the Gospel how we are to do it. So let us look at how we are to do this.
The first instruction that we are go out on two’s. The Lord Jesus describes in Matthew’s gospel that where two or three are gathered there I am in the midst of them. Two therefore is sufficient for community and to bear witness to the truth. Jesus warns that it will not be easy “you will be like lambs to wolf.” There will be a cost to this discipleship. There will be times when you are not listened too and you will go out of the town and wipe of the dust from the town. But, notice Jesus does not tell them to give up he assures them that even in these situations “the kingdom of God will be close at hand.”
So what then does it mean to be a disciple today? It means to follow Jesus. To be enlightened by his love, to proclaim by word and action. But also it means to take risks in discipleship to be among people who do not think the same as us, to challenge by the way we live our lives. It means to get out of our comfort zones that we all have to be challenged by the Gospel.


Over the last few weeks we have been focusing on praying for Simon and Vocations to the priesthood. Where do those vocations come from? They come from the family, yes the domestic Church but also from us the parish family trying their best to be disciples authentically. People who enjoy their faith among all the hardships and trials. Who are joyful who want to share their Christian experience with others. At our baptism we were given a candle lit from the Easter Candle representing the light of Jesus. One can also argue that it is the light of faith that has been handed on to us. This light of faith has been entrusted to us to inspire others not to hide or it will go out but to pass it on. In these last few days leading up to Simons ordination we have a responsibility to pass on that faith that light to others. Please God that we will have many disciples in our own parish and some of those will be young men who will become priests. We all then become labourers in the harvest and may the outcome be plentiful.  

Comments

Susan said…
I wonder why not more is said about vocation to the married life & family ...'They come from the family , yes the domestic church (I do dislike that label) but also from us the parish family ....' Almost a passing comment on the disciples who are husband & wife ,who have often committed & vowed before God giving the sacrament to each other, who are families , perhaps we should be asking for prayers for families ,pray that they survive the difficulties etc that can so often overwhelm , pray that parents will continue to sharing & grow in faith with their children , because we are already labouring,we are often among people that don't think like us , we are often out of our comfort zone ,....how lovely would it be to have Novena during which we pray for families or for those preparing for marriage .
8 July 2013 at 22:42
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