Discipleship

How does God speak to you?

Does he show you a sign?  Does he send a disciple?

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ - John 13:34-35

In today's reading we have Jesus's great commandment to his disciples, to love one another.

So, who are the disciples?  Is everyone who follows Christ a disciple?  Are we all to love one another, or just those who are closest to him?

Yes, it seems like a silly question, but I heard someone describe these words that way recently.  His interpretation was that Jesus was talking to his small circle of friends and it was they who had to show love for one another.  Through that love others would know they were his disciples.

The dictionary defines a disciple as one who continues to learn from Christ.  Does that apply to all of us, or just a few?

Couldn't we all continue to learn?

I think we should all seek to be disciples, growing in our knowledge and understanding of God through Christ.  And in doing so, we will naturally show love for one another.

We couldn't become close to God without being loving, since God is love.

Perhaps that is the meaning of discipleship, growing in love for one another.

In that case, we should seek to learn more about God through Christ each day, taking on the role of the disciple, so that all whom we encounter will come to know God through the love we share with them.

It is a circle that seeks to become complete, and it is our job to be the means of accomplishing that goal.

So, I guess the answer is yes, we are all disciples.  Some are actively learning and gaining in understanding, while others may be dormant.

Let us awaken the ones who are sleeping and grow the circle of love, so all will know the joy of God's love.

More to come...