The Cost of Discipleship

For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?”

— Luke 14:28

The bedrock foundation of Catholicism has always been that there is a personal God who loves us and we can have a relationship with him. Many Catholics may not even be aware that a personal relationship with God is the norm. They have been baptized, confirmed, attend Mass, and receive communion, sailing along as cultural Catholics who keep their faith safely within the confines of Sunday. What is truly important is family, careers, friends, and goals. These are all important and God wants us to not neglect them. But the pursuit of such earthly things can lead to spiritual bondage.  Ironically, should such Catholics contemplate deepening their relationship and fully committing themselves to Discipleship, they often experience fear that they will lose their freedom.

It is true that there is a cost to Discipleship. To shift your priorities and focus away from yourself and on to God and others can be a difficult thing. But the payoff is unending. Anyone who has ever been a parent knows that a part of your old life is forgotten when your child is born. That old life in which you did whatever you wanted whenever you wanted is over. You serve, you love, you provide. And through the process, your life, your world, your capacity to love is expanded far beyond what you thought possible.

Since the beginning of time, the question lurking beneath the surface of our lives rises “Is this all there is?” Here are three answers.

1. “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”    - St Augustine

2. Zachariah : “Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, he has come to set his people free..” — Luke 1:68

3. When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus replies “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” — Mark 12:30

We cannot evangelize others until we evangelize ourselves. Do not fear committing your life to Jesus and following him. Calculate the cost – He is worth it. Be a disciple.

 

What Does Pope Francis Say?

“Jesus teaches us another way: Go out.

Go out and share your testimony, go out and interact with your brothers and sisters, go out and share, go out and ask.

Become the Word in body as well as spirit!”

 

Evangelism Challenges This Week

Pray to the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with the wisdom and courage to follow Jesus more closely in a tangible way. Say the Rosary. Attend a daily Mass. Stop by the Adoration Chapel and give 15 minutes to our Lord.

Pray to the Holy Spirit to help you discern which earthly things are keeping you in bondage. Ask His help in refocusing your life so as to walk with Jesus in freedom.

Share Your Faith. Pray each day for God to lead you to someone with whom you can share your faith. Be aware of the dignity and needs of people who serve you. You'll brighten their workday, and you might open a door to some deeper sharing.                                                    — from Catholic and Confident