Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Easter - May 1, 2016

Sixth Sunday of Easter

May 1, 2016

Signs of Discipleship

 

            A close reading of the Gospels reveals that there are four different groups of people mentioned by the Evangelists. The first group of people is referred to (especially in John’s Gospel) as the world. “The World” refers to people who do not care about Jesus, either because they have never heard of Him, or they have heard of Him and rejected Him, or they’re too wrapped up in their concerns of money and power and pleasure to love Him. The second group is referred to as the crowd. “The Crowd” is people who like to hang out near Jesus. They benefitted from His miracles, they heard His parables, but they did not yet make a choice to follow Him. They often left Him when the going got tough. Closer to Jesus, there is a third group: the disciples. These are the people who followed Him. Jesus explained His parables in a deeper way to them. They accepted even His tough teachings. The closest group, however, is the apostles. These were the chosen Twelve Whom Jesus gave the mission of building the Church.

            As I was teaching this to my confirmation class last month, we were discussing the difference between the crowd and the disciples. Among the people who come to church – even among us – there are both sets of people: the crowd, and the disciples. One of the kids asked me how we know if we’re a part of the crowd or if we’re a disciple. That got me thinking – what are the characteristics that make a disciple different from someone who just hangs around Jesus? Not all churchgoers are disciples – what sets disciples apart?

            Today’s readings, I think, show three signs of discipleship. These three characteristics are part of every disciple’s life.

            First, a disciple learns and grows in their relationship with God. Today’s first reading featured one of the biggest debates in early Christianity – was Christianity just a part of Judaism, or was it a separate religion? In other words, did you have to become Jewish – and obey all of the Jewish laws like circumcision and dietary laws - before you became Christian? The Apostles convened the first council – the Council of Jerusalem – to discuss this issue. Through the Holy Spirit, they concluded that Jesus had done away with the Jewish laws, so they did not need to follow the Jewish laws in order to be followers of Christ. The Apostles sent a letter to all of the churches, instructing them on how to be good Christians – and the disciples heeded their words and learned from them! They grew in their understanding of Christ and in their identity as Catholics.

            So, do you learn and grow in your Faith? When is the last time you studied Scripture or read a book about the Faith? Have you ever taken a class – even as an adult – about the Faith (which are offered all across the diocese and even here in our parish)? So many of us stopped our religious education in eighth grade, but as an adult we face adult questions about the world – we can’t approach the world with an eighth-grade understanding of our Faith! A disciple is one who learns and grows in their relationship with God.

            Second characteristic: a disciple lives a life of worship. Today’s second reading speaks about the glories of Heaven – and how there will be no churches or temples in Heaven, because we will see God face-to-face and worship Him for eternity.

            So, do you live a life of worship? Is the Mass the most important event of your week, or is it something to “squeeze in” if you have the time? Are you constantly checking your phone, wondering when the homily will be over so you can leave? Or do you hunger for Jesus Christ, longing to be united to Him in the Eucharist? Do you have a vibrant life of daily prayer?

            Third characteristic: a disciple seeks to live like Jesus. Jesus said in the Gospel today, “Whoever loves Me will keep My word.” Disciples aren’t perfect, but they make an effort to conform their lives to Jesus. They don’t just want to be “a decent person” but holy – like Christ. They see their flaws and sins, and repent of them daily, asking the Lord for grace to overcome them, so that Christ may live through them. They strive to reflect the Lord’s love in everything they do. Disciples especially try to live a life of service following after the Master, Who came to serve, and not to be served.

            It seems to me that these are the three characteristics of disciples: they learn and grow in their relationship with God, they live a life of worship, and they seek to live like Jesus. I recognize that not everyone here today is yet a disciple. But I pray that you may become one. Merely going to church – as good as that is – does not mean that you are a disciple. Rather, seek to cultivate these three attitudes in your life – and we can merit the title “disciple of Jesus”!