Discipleship By Ray Turner

(This was written for the SJV Discipleship Magazine that should have been published in January 2007 but was never printed. Some of the information is outdated but the main story is still useful.)

For me the word discipleship means to follow Jesus – to do what he asked us to do, to live as he told us to live. I believe the scripture passages where Jesus was most specific about this are:

• The parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19 - Take care of your neighbor)
• The parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:29 - Everyone is my neighbor)
• Matthew 25:31 (Feed the hungry, visit the sick, welcome the stranger, etc.)

While these teachings of Jesus set the bar very high, in the parable of the talents (Mt 25:14), Jesus tells us that we each must do what we can with the gifts God has given us. We listen to the spirit speaking to us in the quiet of our heart and we consider our talents and discern how we can best help others. For example, I’m handy with a hammer, so I volunteer and build houses with Habitat for Humanity. I get a chance to give back what God has given me, get some “free” exercise, meet new people, learn useful skills, and help a family to have their own home. Where else can you get a deal like that!

Jesus really understood the importance of food. He was always feeding and eating with people -- like the 5,000 on the mountain (Mt 14:1, 15:32), and the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:13). To Matthew and Zachaeus Jesus said “I want to eat at your house tonight (Mt 9:9, Lk 19:1).” All the other Jews hated these tax collectors, but Jesus’ care and concern for them won them over and they became His disciples.

At the Last Supper Jesus gave us the ultimate meal, the Eucharist. As disciples we need to nourish ourselves spiritually for the work we have to do. I’m very glad St. John Vianney Parish will be offering parishioners more opportunities for spiritual enrichment in the coming months. There are many, many wonderful books and tapes available to nourish our spiritual life. I hope that St. John Vianney Parish will set up a library in the future so we can share these books and tapes among ourselves.

Discipleship can be many things here at St. John Vianney. There are endless opportunities to serve the parish. Think and pray about the talents God has given you. St. Paul says these have been given for the good of all (1 Cor 12). There are a variety of liturgical ministries at Mass. Community Ministry and St. Vincent de Paul directly help others in need. Or perhaps you could help in the school. Or in hospitality welcoming new people into the parish. And, just like in the story of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, you’ll get back more than you give. That’s just God’s way.

Our new multi-purpose building will offer much needed meeting space, a place for parish dinners, and a gym for our school children. But it has strained St. John Vianney Parish financial situation. This is also discipleship – giving back what God has given us for the good of all. When you see the walls start to go up, think and pray about helping a little more. Construction costs always seem to end up more than planned in the beginning and we need to push our building through to a successful completion.

The thing Jesus said most often to his disciples after the resurrection was “Don’t be afraid.” He says that to all of us too. Don’t be afraid to be a better disciple of Jesus. Risk following Jesus. Follow Him all the way into eternal life.