Disco

Discipline demands faithfulness and work, not just lip-service. In today’s liturgy, the responsorial psalm contains a couple of verses about discipline:

   But to the wicked man God says:

   “Why do you recite my statutes,

   and profess my covenant with your mouth,

   Though you hate discipline

   and cast my words behind you?” (Psalm 50:16-17)

Discipleship and discipline are not always easy. I suggest we are up for the task! Today the reading from Micah (6:8) tells us what to aim for:

   You have been told, O man, what is good,

     and what the Lord requires of you:

   Only to do the right and to love goodness,

     and to walk humbly with your God.

We should invite others to discipleship. Parish small faith-sharing groups are remarkably rewarding. Working with others can be very worthwhile and faith-building. Before his ascension, Jesus told his followers:

   “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the

   Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I

   have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

   (Matthew 28:19-20)

Let’s try to discover the true joy of discipleship as we discipline ourselves, discern what is good, and discard what is not-so-good.

D-ear Lord, we are grateful to be your disciples.

I-ncrease our commitment to your holy mission of love,

S-o that, day by day, we will draw closer to Your loving, outstretched arms.

C-hallenge us, with the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, to

O-pen our hearts to You and to our neighbors who need to learn more about You.  

                                                                                                                      Amen.

 †††

Painting: "Christ Talking Leave of the Apostles," Duccio di Buoninsegna (1255-1319). Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana del Duomo. Public domain.

Scripture passage is from The CatholicStudy Bible: New American Bible, New York: Oxford University Press, 1990.

Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Manchester, Connecticut. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.