DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST




WHAT does it mean
To be a disciple
Of Jesus Christ


To be a disciple
Of someone
IS the act
Of following and learning
From a teacher
In our case
That teacher is Jesus


And what we are learn
IS LOVE-kindness-and forgiveness
And a SENSE of joy
All while
Carrying the crosses
Of our life


In Luke, Jesus says,


“IF anyone
Wishes to come after me
He must DENY himself
And take up his cross daily
And come follow me” Luke 9:23


And WHY should we do this
Isn't that a STEEP PRICE to pay
For following someone


YES in that sense
But no in the sense
That anything important in life
ALWAYS comes with a price


And NO in the sense
That we all have
To carry crosses anyway
UNLESS we are immoral or criminal people
And trying to DUMP our crosses
In or on someone else
WHENEVER we can


And by doing it-
CARRYING our cross
Jesus' way-with love-and kindness-
Forgiveness and joy
OUR crosses become so much LIGHTER


Because Jesus shows us the way
Jesus shows us
HOW it is done


We just have to LOOK to him


“COME TO ME
ALL you who are weary
And burdened
And I will give your rest


TAKE my yoke
Upon you
And LEARN from me


For I am gentle
And HUMBLE in heart
And you will find rest
For your souls


For my yoke is easy
And my burden light” Matthew 11:28-30


And ALL the while
We are carrying our crosses
LOVE makes our crosses lighter
And joy and kindness
Makes our crosses lighter


And JESUS took up HIS cross for us
Out of love
And because we love him
We take up our crosses
And FOLLOW Jesus


WITHOUT love
We wouldn't be able
To let go of our selfishness
And follow him
We wouldn't be able
To deny ourselves


Dear Lord-we pray
That you FILL us
With the POWER
Of your loving presence
So that we may KNOW
THE JOY
In following you


Lord- you gave to us-
What was your love


And what we desire
To give back to you
IS THE JOY of our discipleship


And our joy
Is love-forgiveness-and kindness
IN BEING DISCIPLES OF CHRIST


Robert P. Wallman
3-12-14




ps INSPIRED by an article in Living Faith magazine by Father Kenneth Grabner, C.S.C.




“GOD LOVES a cheerful giver” 2 Corinthians 9:7