Call to Discipleship: 2022-2023 Introduction

The theme for the 2022-2023 Call to Discipleship series is from John 13:35:
“This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:35 is the commandment Jesus gave His disciples before His crucifixion. When He would no longer be on earth to carry out the ministry He had begun, He knew this was the fruit above all others that would allow us to continue it for Him.
 
We can certainly see evidence in our community of loving each other. You can see it at an ACTS retreat with the care and attention the team provides to the retreatants. We see it in the face of the members of our prayer groups when they greet each other for the first time that week. We see it through the blood, sweat and tears of those who support the Mission Club by donating, collecting and delivering supplies to Hurricane Ida victims, or cooking and picking up debris from their yards. We see it through the efforts of all those who help to prepare adults and our youth for reception of the sacraments.  We see it as tangible products like the prayer blankets and rosaries our apostolates make. We see it through our advocacy and education efforts of the unborn and others who are vulnerable in our pro-life ministry.
 
Acknowledging that we need to continue to grow in love, we should aim to extend ourselves further by taking steps as individuals in our daily lives. John 13:35 reminds us that our discipleship is measured by this love. It’s really the most important barometer of our discipleship. We can tell anyone and everyone we love them, but showing our love challenges us to a whole other level. (James 2:14-26)

So how do we increase our love of others? In Pope Francis’ encyclical, The Joy of the Gospel (sections 93-97), he has much wisdom that we can apply to every area of our lives.  He reminds us that in our call to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (cf. Mt 5:13-16), we should encounter others with the right attitude and accept them as our esteemed companions along the way. He says to find Jesus in the faces of others, in their voices and in their pleas by clinging to the love of God and opening our hearts to divine love by seeking the happiness of others just as God does.
 
However, the Pope also warns us of spiritual worldliness and other forms of adulterated Christianity. This is when we seek our “own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Phil 2:21) by hiding behind the appearance of piety or love for the Church. It’s when we use our faith to feel superior to others or to create an elitism, where we analyze and judge others, inspect and verify.  When we have fallen into this worldliness, we look on from above and afar, reject the insight of others, discredit those who raise questions, or constantly point out the mistakes of others. When we become obsessed with appearances, our hearts are open only to our own interests. Consequently, we don’t learn from our sins or become genuinely open to forgiveness. This corruption disguised as good prevents us from knowing the real lives and needs of our neighbors and denies our history as a Church - a history rich in sacrifice, hope, daily struggles, service and devotion.  Keeping our focus on Jesus Christ and commitment to His ministry can help us to avoid this spiritual worldliness, but it can only be healed through the Holy Spirit who frees us from such self-centeredness.

As a community that makes up the Body of Christ, we were given the gift of His grace at our baptism. His grace which draws us closer to Him and allows us to grow more like Him is transformative to ourselves and our lives. When we live our lives in Christ and let Him live within us, we are promised the fruits of His Spirit – the greatest of which is love. Just like our talents and financial blessings are actually gifts from God which we return to Him when shared with others, so is the love that we receive, and give back to Him through our discipleship in both word and deed.
 
Just imagine the difference our love can make. Imagine how a kind word can give someone the confidence they need to carry out their day. Imagine the love that is felt by the family who lost everything in a fire and their church shows up with everything they need. Imagine the encouragement we provide when we show up somewhere or for someone when we weren’t expected.  Imagine being genuinely happy for someone’s achievement instead of feeling less than because of it.  Imagine seeking to understand and love instead of casting judgment or letting jealousy get the best of us. Imagine walking with someone to help them become better rather than pointing out or talking to others about what we perceive to be wrong.
 
When we encounter God’s love, it becomes much easier to share it with others. The Joy of the Gospel sums it up perfectly: “For if we have received the love which restores meaning to our lives, how can we fail to share that love with others?” Of course there’s times when we strive to have the heart and selflessness of saints, yet we find ourselves not so loving.  There are times when we are irritable and feel unlovable, overwhelmed or depressed, in pain or are grieving. It’s during those times that we should remember how we only need to look at the Cross to recognize God’s love for us, and hopefully be motivated to show that same love in return.

So when we hear “go forth” or “go in peace” this weekend at Mass, let us be inspired to love one another just as God has loved us and let that be the measuring stick of our discipleship.  As we consider answering this year’s Call to Discipleship, let us strive to allow our response to be proportionate and in return for all the love He has so generously shown us.