Called to Discipleship

Notwithstanding my wish to predict a snowy winter in our last posting, and still hopeful, I send Greetings in the Lord!

We have experienced the blessings of the Nativity, the Holy Family and the Epiphany, and now, with the Baptism of Jesus, we move into Ordinary Time.  In a few weeks, we will be entering the season of Lent.  Although we will be given hints of what lies ahead for Jesus and for those who are his disciples, during this interim period our readings invite us to reflect on what it means to encounter him and become his disciple. 

"We have experienced the blessings of the Nativity, the Holy Family and the Epiphany, and now, with the Baptism of Jesus, we move into Ordinary Time."

The readings for this Sunday lay the ground for our reflections on discipleship.  In the gospel reading John the Baptist directs the crowds that have gathered around him to the person of Jesus.  He is the one they should follow.  In the second reading we find Paul boasting of his own apostleship.  These sketches of servants of the Lord become the lens through which we will find and follow Jesus.  In both instances, an amazing encounter with Jesus has come first.  This unique and personal encounter is the absolute predicate of the meaningful and joyful life of discipleship. 

Jesus himself, as the Lamb of God, was the servant of the Lord as well, constantly in prayer, aware of his relationship with the Father.  From this intimate bond, Jesus grew and moved into the world, bringing life to those who heard, especially for those who suffered defeat.  His intentional love led him to share that defeat and to transform it into ultimate joy.  The themes of encounter and accompaniment are omnipresent throughout the gospel readings ahead, and we will be invited to renew our personal encounter with Jesus in days to follow.

"These sketches of servants of the Lord become the lens through which we will find and follow Jesus." 

The encounter with Jesus is the ultimate gift of this life that changes everything.  Through the Holy Spirit a transformation takes place which changes the perspective of possessions, status, goals, relationships, dispositions, conversations, care, and daily life.  Through this encounter we see gifts, disappointments and failures in new light, realizing how Jesus knows and loves us through them.  We see the poor and suffering through his eyes and respond in his compassion. There is no loss in this encounter, nor extra burden, nor demands beyond human limitations.  Only a quietly assured humility and joy which builds and transforms lives into a new state of being. 

And from this encounter comes the quiet assurance of discipleship.  To know and follow Jesus ever more completely in this life is to discover the treasures of heaven.  May we know those blessings now, that the promises of the Kingdom of God be opened more fully to all, and that we respond as his faithful disciples. 

+Most Reverend Stephen J. Berg

Bishop of Pueblo

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