Conductors
When I was a little boy, I wanted to become a bus conductor. At that time, when the Pantranco buses were open on one side, I admired how the bus conductor would go from rear to front and vice versa, giving out tickets, collecting fares, hanging on to the open side, while the bus was in motion. He was also the guy who served and helped the passengers with their baggage. And he was also the storyteller and the animator on the bus all throughout the journey. Well, I did not become a bus conductor but a simple conductor of my Boss, a server of His people, and a storyteller of His love as His priest.
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In today’s Gospel (Lk. 14, 25-33), Jesus reminds us that we are ALL called to be His disciples. There is a cost of discipleship. He calls all of us to sacrifice, to forget ourselves, leave everything and put Him above everyone, and follow Him.
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Ask yourself today: What have I sacrificed for the Lord? What am I doing the rest of my life for the Lord? Is “payback time” a reality happening in my life now?
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There are no perfect disciples. Discipleship is an ongoing journey. We all are a work in progress. We are all on our journey to God’s heart, and we go on, we keep trying, no matter what, and try to persevere, by God’s grace.
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Someone once said that God calls not so much the worthy instrument, but the willing instrument. Discipleship is not so much about qualification and worthiness, as about willingness. Yes, we continue to OFFER.
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OBEDIENCE. Discipleship is about the willingness to give up one’s will to follow and do God’s will. It also means tempering one’s decisions with what is good for others. This is not easy, especially as one gets older, but “Thy will be done, Lord” is a disciple’s constant prayer and song.
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FAITHFULNESS. Discipleship is a constant effort to be faithful to our Master, to be true to His commandments and marching orders. Mother Teresa points out that discipleship is about faithfulness, not so much about being popular or successful. “Lord, into your hands I commend my spirit” is a disciple’s constant prayer and song.
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FREEDOM. Discipleship is a constant struggle to be free from our preferences, pleasure, and personal agenda, so that we can be free for the Kingdom of God. This means we are willing to sacrifice and give up whatever imprisons us internally and externally, so that we can truly love and serve. Discipleship is putting God first and putting Him above everyone. “All for you, Lord” is a disciple’s constant prayer and song.
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EXPRESSION. Discipleship is about becoming a living expression of God’s loving presence to people here and now. It is all about being an instrument, a channel of peace and love to all. A disciple must focus more on being expressive of God’s love, and less on being impressive to others. “Make me an instrument of your peace” is a disciple’s constant prayer and song.
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RELATIONSHIP. Discipleship is all about an ongoing relationship with the Master who has called the disciple first to Himself and to His people. Without prayer, a disciple is empty, a clanging cymbal; without love, a disciple is just a functionary, a hired worker, or a mercenary. It is not so much the function that we do, the offices that we hold, or the titles attached to our names that matter. Without love, we become shallow, empty, vain. “Lord, without you, I am nothing” is a disciple’s constant prayer and song.
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A moment with our Lord: Lord, help us to be conductor of your presence and love. Amen.
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