Jesus told us in advance that our life of discipleship would be a life of embracing the cross
We hear in the Gospel for the Sixth Sunday of Easter that Jesus told His disciples of events before they happened, so that when those events happened, they would believe Him. Jesus told us a lot of things and even warned us about what living the life of a disciple would be like. Do we believe Him, or are we still surprised or embarrassed about what happens when we live a disciple’s life?
As we welcome Pope Leo XIV into our midst, he reminds us of what Jesus said and asks us again not to be surprised when folks reject, belittle or ignore us. Let’s take a look at some of the things that we are being asked to do as disciples of Jesus.
Jesus asks us to uphold every human life, no matter the condition or the productivity of that person. From the beginning of life to the end of it, we believe that each person has God-given dignity. Jesus says it doesn’t matter if that person is homeless, a criminal, a stranger or sick. Each person has dignity and worth. Are we ready for the backlash that we will receive when we act as Jesus asked, or will we be surprised? Does it matter what Jesus told us ahead of time?
Jesus told us ahead of time that any gift that we have, any possession that is ours, or any position of power or influence have been given to us by God for the common good. As we examine our own lives and look at the excess of material goods that we possess while other people starve, are we willing to take on the burden of discipleship, even if that means being made fun of by people who see money or influence as the most important possession? Does it matter what Jesus told us ahead of time and how people would react to us?
Jesus crossed social boundaries that meant He would be rejected and considered impure. He kept company at table with those who were considered unclean and undeserving. He spoke against the religiously arrogant people of the time who tried to use their power to manipulate others into submission to their will. He took the throne of a cross rather than a throne in a palace and considered it to be the highest place of honor. For that He was rejected, ridiculed, belittled, beaten, stripped naked and eventually killed. He told us ahead of time that if we lived as His disciples, we must embrace the same cross so that we could experience the fullness of life. He told us that ahead of time, but does it matter what He told us? Are we still surprised when we are asked to surrender and sacrifice for the sake of those who have nothing to offer us in return? Do we consider it a privilege to be rejected for the name of Jesus or are we still surprised?
When Jesus promised His disciples much more in return for all that they had sacrificed, He also included persecution as one of the benefits of being His disciples. We may not consider that a benefit, but we certainly shouldn’t be surprised. Living a radical life of commitment to Jesus will be looked upon with some suspicion and even tested to see if we are for real.
What might be missing from our discipleship is the most important ingredient of following in the footsteps of Jesus. We can do all kinds of sacrificing and self surrender, but if it is not done with love, it is hypocritical. We follow all the rules, all the rituals and look good on the outside, but if we don’t have love, we are showing people why they shouldn’t be a disciple of Jesus. Love is the most important ingredient in a disciple’s life. But why would we be surprised by that: Didn’t He tell us that ahead of time?
Father Donald Wester is retired and serves as lecturer of homiletics at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
