My dear friends,
During this Year of Faith I have spent a great deal of time
reflecting on “discipleship” and what that truly means to me and to
you. Having chosen a religious life and committing myself to share
the words and teachings of Our Lord, I feel and realize the urgency
in recruiting disciples for my Lord.
As Papa God uses me as His instrument to convey His message
of healing to those who visit, I feel a great responsibility to share
His undeniable love and remind them of the great price that was
paid for our salvation - He gave His only Son! Some leave the Prayer
Center changed - they become disciples, ready to defend their
faith and to live as Jesus taught. Others come to this realization by
studying scripture, through daily reflection and meditation, or by
helping those less fortunate. The point is not how the conversion
takes place but that it just does.
The Catholic Encyclopedia provides in part, “In the English
versions of the Old Testament the word disciple occurs only once
(
Isaiah 8:16); but the idea it conveys is to be met within several
other passages, for instance when the Sacred Writers speak of the
“
sons” of the Prophets (2 Kings 2:7); the same seems, likewise, to
be the meaning of the terms children and son (e.g. Proverbs 4:1,
10;
etc.). Much more frequently does the New Testament use the
word disciple in the sense of pupil, adherent, one who continues
in the Master’s word (John 8:31).
In the Four Gospels it is most especially applied to the Apostles,
sometimes styled the “twelve disciples”, sometimes merely called
“
the disciples” (Matthew 14:19; 15:33, 36; etc.). Occasionally the
Evangelists give the word a broader sense and make it a synonym
for believer (Matthew 10:42; 27:57; John 4:1; 9:27, 28)”
We all hear that we are called to be believers or disciples. How
do we answer the call? If you choose to answer His call, here are a
few bible quotes to help you along this journey:
“
Love one another” - A definition of disciple is suggested by
Jesus’ self-referential example from the Gospel of John 13:34-35:
“
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just
as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this
everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for
one another.”
“
Be transformed” - Generally in Christian theology,
discipleship is a term used to refer to a disciple’s transformation
from some other world view and practice of life, into that of Jesus
Christ, and so, by way of Trinitarian theology, of God himself.
Remember the Apostle Paul’s description of this process? It
was that the disciple “not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may
discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and
perfect.” (Romans 12:2) So you can see that a disciple is not simply
an accumulator of information or one who merely changes moral
behavior in regard to the teachings of Jesus Christ, but seeks a
fundamental shift toward the ethics of Jesus Christ in every way,
including complete devotion to God.
“
Go and make disciples of all nations” - Over and over
again throughout Christianity we see the practice of making new
disciples. In Matthew, at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, when
calling his earliest disciples Simon Peter and Andrew, he says to
them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew
4:19).
Then, at the very end of his ministry Jesus institutes the
Great Commission, commanding all present to “go therefore and
make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them
to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-
20).
Jesus has incorporated this practice into the very definition of
being a disciple and experiencing discipleship.
As you can see, it is our duty, it is our calling, it is our right to
become a disciple of Christ. We have read it throughout the Bible,
we have heard sermons from our priests encouraging us to accept
this challenge and I’m sure in your quiet, reflective time of prayer,
you have heard His voice calling.
Think of the possibilities and blessings that will be afforded
us if we accept His call. Are you ready? More importantly, are you
willing?
In the Service of the Lord,
Sister Dulce Maria
SUMMER 2013
17560
George O’Neal Road • Baton Rouge, LA 70817 • (225) 752-8480
E-mail:
•
The Sister Dulce Foundation, Inc.
Supporting the Cypress Springs Mercedarian Prayer Center
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