Following without Leaving

Several years ago, I had the chance to immerse in an ecumenical community in Taize, France. A community composed of Christian pilgrims from different denominations, mostly young people, backpackers, professionals, teenagers and young adults who came from different parts of the world and from different walks of life.

It was the “Woodstock” for the Christian youth, there was singing, praying, and even partying. We were living in tents and bunkers and everyone was welcome. We were a community and everyone had a share in the work to run the place.

Some of us stayed there for years, others for days. Regardless thereof, it was long enough to give you an insight of it was like to follow the community of the disciples of Jesus. It was not only composed of twelve men, but an entire community of believers composed of men and women. They were not living on charity but also working for their own sustenance.

In this Sunday's Gospel, Mathew tells us about Discipleship. He describes to us how some of the newly recruited disciples, who happened to be fishermen, followed Jesus. 

I used to think that Jesus purposely called fishermen since they would be the "Fishers of men." But I believe that the real intent of the Gospel is to show that the call is given to everyone regardless of your profession -that even ordinary fishermen are being called for a greater purpose.

Discipleship likewise requires leaving one's present state. Peter and Andrew left their nets and followed Jesus.  James and John left their father to follow Jesus. But leaving does not mean abandonment, rather it means detaching oneself so that one could transcend higher.

Peter, Andrew, James and John did not stop working when they followed Jesus, nor did they abandon their families. The disciples were not living on charity, rather they continued to work, but this time for a different reason. They were no longer working for the salvation of their flesh but for the salvation of souls. They were no longer working only for themselves or for their immediate family members but for the cause that Jesus taught them. This is what separates a pilgrim from a "disciple" - the sense of purpose.

  

Today Jesus is calling us once again, but he is not asking us to quit our jobs and abandon our families but to transcend higher. He is calling us to be "the Christ" in our jobs and in our families and in whatever we do. A higher calling for a greater purpose.

Matthew 4: 12 - 23
12	Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee;
13	and leaving Nazareth he went and dwelt in Caper'na-um by the sea, in the territory of Zeb'ulun and Naph'tali,
14	that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
15	"The land of Zeb'ulun and the land of Naph'tali, toward the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles --
16	the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."
17	From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
18	As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
19	And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
20	Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
21	And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zeb'edee and John his brother, in the boat with Zeb'edee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.
22	Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.
23	And he went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every infirmity among the people.

EDUCATED to be WISE

"The pregnancy of a virgin" and "The birth of "the Christ" in Bethlehem, who would save the chosen people" were all foretold by the prophets hundreds of years before it happened. Even Mary heard of it when she was young.

It was a prophecy so great that even non-jews or "gentiles" believed it as well. It was an event that was certain to happen, unfortunately  ordinary people had no way to determine when exactly it would happen.

Some shepherds were fortunate because they heard the news about Christ's birth and got directions directly from an angel in finding Jesus. But for the rest of the ordinary people, they waited passively, hoping that they could live long enough to witness the event. 

Aside from the ordinary people, there were also educated people at that time who studied different disciplines of astronomy, philosophy, medicine, law and even magic or sorcery. 

These people, if they were coming from the East, were called the "magi," because they studied what the ordinary men could not fathom. Believe it or not, this is where the word "magic" comes from. But to call them magicians would be demeaning because they were the best at what they do, so the title "King" ( not referring to royalty) would be more appropriate, after all they were "Kings"in their own right.

But being educated does not necessarily make one wise, so why did Mathew label the latter as "wise men." 

They were wise  because instead of passively waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ, they used their intelligence, education, resources and whatever they had to find Christ. Some of them had to chart the movement of the stars or employed astronomers to locate Christ in Bethlehem. They would have used the GPS if it was available then.

They were wise because even if they were not Jews or part of the so-called "chosen people to be saved", they still paid homage to Jesus Christ our Lord.

They were wise because they likewise prepared gifts for Jesus Christ so that they could perhaps be remembered when they would ask for his help.

What's interesting is the fact that the bible never mentioned that they were limited to three wise men.

As a matter of fact, some of these wise men are still living among us today, inviting us to join them, to use our time, education, intelligence, resources and whatever we have to find Christ and to pay homage to him.

So if ever you happen to be invited to join them, make a wise decision to accept the invitation.

Gospel  Mt. 2: 1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod,
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said,
“Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word,
that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star,
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed for their country by another way.