The Gospel today challenges us to ponder what it means to be true followers of Christ. Jesus questions the disciples “who do you say I am?’” and proposes to them the ultimate challenge of discipleship “if anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me”.
The call to discipleship is one of love, especially in the small things. As Christians we are called to proclaim the Good News and show others the relevance of Jesus in our lives by witnessing to our faith in humility and love, and by acting as Christ did. The call to discipleship also implies a call to mission, for when we truly experience the joy of knowing God and being loved by him we have a desire to share this joy with others. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives impels us to evangelise and by sharing the gift of our faith just like the first disciples, we hope that many in our communities will come to know the love of Christ through us and the life of the Church, as an experience of joy and love.
“In a word, let us say “Yes” to the God who is love, life and freedom, and who never disappoints; let us say “Yes” to the God who is the Living One and the Merciful One. Only faith in the Living God saves us: in the God who in Jesus Christ has given us his own life by the gift of the Holy Spirit and has made it possible to live as true sons and daughters of God through his mercy. This faith brings us freedom and happiness. Let us ask Mary, Mother of Life, to help us receive and bear constant witness to the ‘Gospel of Life’. Amen.”
(Pope Francis 16 June 2013
