“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” Luke 11:23

Jesus seems to be saying in the reflection verse today (paraphrased a bit by me), “Hey everyone, are you with me or not?” It begs the question: What does it mean to “be with” or “for Jesus”? Is there a checklist or litmus test to show you are in Jesus’ camp? Fr. Rolheiser writes that there isn’t any one specific defining criteria that makes one uniquely Christian. He suggests there are four things that Jesus asks of anyone who would be his disciple. First, we must “keep the commandments,” both the larger commandment of the heart, “to love God and neighbor,” and the Ten Commandments. “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.” An essential component of Christian discipleship is having a private relationship with Jesus and being faithful in the area of private morality. Second, in Christian discipleship, Jesus mandates social justice as non-negotiable. It’s not optional. Third, discipleship demands involvement within a concrete community of faith. Christian discipleship is not something we do alone. We are asked to journey to God with each other as part of an ecclesial community, as part of a church. Finally, what Jesus asks of us as an essential component of discipleship is a mellow, warm, grateful heart. Discipleship isn’t just about what we do; it’s also about the spirit within which we do it. So, is there anything in Jesus’ teaching and his challenge to us that might serve as a litmus test? There is. A mature disciple finds the answer in the gospels. A true disciple can love an enemy, bless those who curse them, and forgive everyone, even a murderer.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *